Meet Danii Oliver | Founder, Author & Illustrator

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

Hi Danii, what role has risk played in your life or career?
In my journey as an entrepreneur, writer and innovator, risk-taking has been a fundamental aspect of my growth and success. I view risk as an essential element of exploration and innovation. It’s not about recklessness, but about calculated leaps of action that are informed by intuition, research, and a deep understanding of my goals and the market dynamics.

Throughout my writing and entrepreneurial journeys, taking risks has enabled me to push boundaries and venture into uncharted territories, whether it’s in the realm of technology, holistic wellness, or education. For example I left New York for Texas driving 1500 miles while in labor. Many might say that’s risky behavior. However I saw that action as a commitment to my choice for a better life for myself and my kids. I choose my mental health, a heart-centered life over all that I built in the city. Founding KIDO Family Ranch Publishing, House of Juice Bar, Island to Island Brewery, and Quantum Innovation Advisors were all ventures that carried inherent risks but also presented opportunities for profound impact and fulfillment.

I’ve learned that embracing risk is about embracing the potential for failure as much as success. Failure is where the juiciest ideas come from. When I manage to not take it personal, I find joy in the avoidance of red flags and await the next open door wiser than before. It’s about being resilient, learning from setbacks, and using those lessons to refine my approach and strategy. In essence, risk-taking has been a driving force in my writing and entrepreneurial journeys, propelling me to innovate, create, and lead with a vision that transcends conventional boundaries.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The art in my book, “Unschool Discoveries: Venturing into the Unknown”, is a blend of storytelling and imaginative expression. My goal to create a comprehensive artistic concentration resulted in capturing the essence of exploration, curiosity, and the joy of learning naturally. What sets me apart is my unique perspective as a unschooling mother, entrepreneur, and artist, which infuses my work with both professionalism and whimsy. “Unschool Discoveries” showcases stylistic illustrations and a narrative inspired by my own journey leaving NYC behind to be able to farm & unschool with my children. The book is a celebration of ancestral learning through observation and practice, encouraging readers to embrace curiosity and find magic in everyday moments.

Reaching this point in my professional journey was far from easy. It required perseverance, creativity, and a willingness to embrace the ‘Venturing into the Unknown’. I faced challenges in balancing ideas of productivity while prioritizing my mental health & rest. I’ve often navigated uncharted territories with no clear roadmap, pioneering new ideas and approaches. Overcoming these obstacles required deschooling from old norms and traditional beliefs about what life should look like or what others think success is. My family & EMDR therapy give me inspiration and strength to keep choosing what feels right to us and not back slide into perfectionism.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way are numerous, but one of the most important is the power of authenticity and staying true to what your heart wants, that which gives you joy. Embracing my unique path and trusting in the process has allowed me to write stories that resonates with others making room explore other options in life.

I want the world to know that my brands and stories are about more than just writing and illustrating a book. They’re about advocating for a lifelong learning led by curiosity, joy, and a deep connection with our inner child. “Unschool Discoveries: Venturing into the Unknown” is not just a book; it’s a reflection of a lifestyle that celebrates the freedom of self-sufficiency, unschooled homeschooling, and living a heart-centered life in ways that honor our individuality and collective humanity. Ultimately, it does what art is supposed to do: make you think and challenge the status quo.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Spending a week at the KIDO Family Ranch

Day 1: Relaxation and Rejuvenation

Start the day with a rejuvenating sauna session and massage at Riveria Spa in Dallas to release tension and unwind.

Enjoy a soul-nourishing meal at a local Korean BBQ restaurant, indulging in probiotic-rich dishes for a healthy gut.

Day 2: Ranch Life and Nature

Spend the day on my ranch, taking care of the orchard, vegetable garden, and rabbits. Enjoy the solitude and the beauty of the countryside.

Enjoy the chef of “Cooking with Caribbeans” roti with fast pickled vegetables, curry channa and chicken from Burgundy Pasture Beef in Grandview, ensuring a meal bursting with flavor and responsibly sourced.

In the evening, relax under the stars, roasting treats over an open campfire, and sharing stories.

Day 3: Outdoor Adventures

Embark on a hike in Cleburne State Park, hoping to catch the spillway full and hunting for fossils.

Experience a safari drive through Fossil Rim, feeding the animals and taking in the breathtaking views from atop the mountain.

Dine on a vegan meal from the chef of “Cooking with Caribbeans” jerk roasted trumpet mushrooms grown locally with a vegetable medley of broccoli, onions and asparagus.

Day 4: Beauty and Creativity

Enjoy the sunrise with the guilty pleasure of doughnuts from Doughboy Donuts in Burleson.

Visit the largest beauty supply shop, Jenny’s, for supplies, then spend the afternoon styling their hair with fresh color in twists, locs, or braids.

Dinner would be something quick like the “Cooking with Caribbeans” chef’s 24 hour fermented sour dough crust pizza topped individually to match each person’s unique taste buds.

Day 5: Conversation & Culinary Delights

Record an interview for my podcast with my guest, sharing insights and experiences.

Have the chef of “Cooking with Caribbeans” grill some Caribbean-seasoned vegetables & meats from Burgundy Pasture Beef in Grandview.

Day 6: Meditation and Mindfulness

Start the day with superfood smoothies or fresh cold pressed juices and my Brooklyn Jun Brew, probiotic soda.

Provide space for meditation while gazing out the window into nature, listening to the melodious songs of red cardinals.

Graze on left overs throughout the day while chef prepares naan, roasted or grilled duck from Burgundy Pasture Beef and the mis en place for a large garden salad.

Day 7: Reflection and Departure

Reflect on the week’s experiences, ensuring my guest leaves feeling relaxed, balanced with nature, and having had the freedom to move in ways that feel good or simply take a nap.

Leaving early for the airport, make a stop at Chocolate Secrets in Dallas for a sweet farewell treat.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My heartfelt shoutout goes to my incredible children, Ms Animalia, Dino Robot Of All Dinos and The One, who have been the source of endless inspiration, deschooling and joy in my life. They’ve gifted me with countless whimsical moments that have translated into the stories I write, infusing them with a sense of wonder and magic. More than just muses for my creativity, my children have enriched my daily life with the fun, loving childhood I needed—filled with acceptance, love, play, and singing. They’ve taught me to see the world through a lens of curiosity and delight, and for that, I am profoundly grateful. They deserve more than a little credit in my story; they are the heart of it, the main characters and co-creators along this writing journey.

Website: https://kidofamilyranch.com

Instagram: @kidofamilyranch

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=daniioliver

Twitter: https://twitter.com/UnschoolPages

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kidofamilyranch/featured?sub_confirmation=1

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unschoolpagesofourlives Newsletter: https://unschoolpages.substack.com/

Image Credits
Danii Oliver