Meet Dani Cee

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dani Cee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dani, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was 44 years old and I was waking up every morning asking myself, “What am I doing with my life?” I had achieved the goals on my “list.” Yet, every day, I went to work early and stayed late. I came home tired and angry still checking email and throwing together ready made dinners that I ate over the sink. We never ate dinner as a family. I didn’t go on dream vacations or fun long weekends. I never visited my grandparents or went paddleboarding with my best friend. All I did was work.

My daughter reminded me of this fact often. I’ll never forget one morning when I got up early–around 3am–to workout and check my email, she came and found me in my office. I walked her back downstairs and told her it was too early to be awake, plus I needed to get some work done. She stood in the doorway of her bedroom, tears welling in her eyes and fists clenched. She stomped a foot as she yelled, “All you do is work! I just want to be with you!” My heart broke in that instant. She would give up sleep and simply follow me around the house if that was the only way to spend time with me. I knew something had to change.

I tried to make it all work, but the company I worked for and the demand of most American corporations is not suited for motherhood. Not to mention that school schedules and work schedules do not align. As my eyes opened to this problem, I came to realize most women were wrestling with the same debacle. And, even worse, most were resigned to believe that “That’s just life,” and “It is what it is.”

I couldn’t accept that. I started a blog and began writing articles and researching what the headlines were blaring: parenthood in America was in a crisis. Return to office mandates were hitting hard, women were leaving the workforce in droves and childcare was too expensive. All I could think was, why is the solution to this problem cheaper childcare? With ever-rising rates of anxiety, depression, and obesity–the answers lie in prioritizing family and raising our children, not outsourcing their care. And, it’s not that women shouldn’t be in the workforce. Believe me, I thought I didn’t want a family for many years because my career means so much to me. For all the technology and education in this country, why can’t organizations develop a work model that supports a healthy, connected family life?

And, so, I began The Happy Life Agenda. It began as a blog and blossomed into a podcast and is now a movement as much as it is a business. I met so many other women who were on the same path, want to be on the same path or had been on the same path. Yet, the common thread among all of us was that we needed the clarity to define what we really want and how to achieve it, the connections for support and opportunity and the purpose to drive us forward. To make that happen for every woman, the mission of The Happy Life Agenda is to create access to resources, insights, and experts that empower women to live their happiest life. My business manages marketing and events that support coaches, speakers and small businesses who believe in female empowerment. The goal is to open up opportunity through connection and unlock purpose for everyone involved.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Today, I have my own business, but before this I was a female determined to climb the corporate ladder. I began my career as content writer for a network of physicians. This parlayed me into marketing pretty quickly and the rest is history. I went from Marketing Writer to Coordinator and then to Marketing Specialist and eventually Marketing Manager, Marketing Director, and ultimately, Chief Marketing Officer. It was my dream to be a top executive for an organization–at least I thought it was.

In between jobs there were times when I pursued entrepreneurship, but I always gave it up just before the bend for the safety of corporate life. Now that I know about identity and purpose, I can see all the places where God was calling me to be my authentic self and use my skills to help others through my own business. I often wish I knew then what I know now. I suppose I needed the extra time to build character.

The most important thing for people to know is that you can write and rewrite your story again and again. Your past helped shaped you and prepare you for where you are today and where you are going. Before corporate life, I was a personal trainer turned operations manager and even worked for a stint as a make-up artist in New York City. Today, all those “random” skills culminate and truly enrich my life.
The mission of The Happy Life Agenda is to give this clarity and insight to others and create opportunities to leap into the life you want. You only get one life, it should be what you want!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many great places in DFW, but by and far Dallas (compared to Fort Worth) has the best restaurants and shopping. I love NorthPark Mall. It has been around forever and the architecture showcases its history. My favorite place to eat is at the counter inside Eatly where you can get delicious wines and food so decadent, you can still taste it months later. I have never been to Italy, but I imagine it is the closest I can get to the experience in Dallas.

When I can’t make the drive to Dallas, I enjoy all the new shops and restaurants in Plano Legacy. My best friend and I love to meet for dirty martinis at Del Frisco’s and walk the shops. Closer to home, I like to stroll around Southlake Town Center and enjoy a glass of wine and bruschetta at Postino or happy hour at Leela’s in Trophy Club.

If I am heading to Fort Worth, the brunch at Cafe Press in Clear Fork is fantastic. I have to mention this because brunch is my favorite meal of the weekend!

And, if I want outdoor adventures, I enjoy paddleboarding with my bestie on Lake Ray Roberts or making the drive to Waco and scoping some of the riverways there. The great thing about DFW is there is so much in less than a two-hour drive around the area.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh wow! So many incredible people influenced this journey!

I must give credit to Bob Hamp, who is an incredible speaker, author and therapist. I was introduced to him through a company I worked for and he spoke about finding yourself–your true identity and living for your purpose. His discussion made me think so deeply about the choices I had made and was making. And, well, you know how that story goes.

The other key mentor is Lisa Mikals. I also met her at my previous job. I would not be where I am today without her guidance, compassion, and friendship. She taught me all about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable (my motto these days) and the theme for doing the hard things that lead to greater things.

Since making the leap, I have been truly blessed to have deep conversations and absorb wisdom and support from so many, many people. If this were the Oscars, I’d be kicked off stage for making that list, but if I’ve had coffee, lunch or a virtual call with you in the past four months, well, you played such an important part of who I am today–thank you!

Website: https://happylifeagenda.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happylifeagenda/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellectworek/

Twitter: https://x.com/happylifeagenda

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565505746323

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thehappylifeagenda

Image Credits
Kate Marie Gardner