Tag Archives: Young Professionals

Here’s How Danielle Fontus is Helping Women Live a Daring Life

Posted in Empowerment, On The Rise by

In light of women’s history month, I wanted to shed light on an amazing individual who created a platform for women to lives their best social life. Danielle Fontus is the creator of She Dares, a women’s adventure community, where she helps women step outside of their comfort zones through experiences, from happy hour to horseback riding. Let’s find out more about Dani!

Tell me about yourself 

I may have also been spotted in a few adventures myself like Carnival in Trinidad and jet skiing in Tobago. I love to travel, eat, dance, play and indulge in whatever tickles my fancy.

Since graduating from Emory University in 2007, I have found a home in hospitality. I am now transitioning into the area of retreat planning while building my personal brand as an adventure influence.

Where were you 6 months after graduation?

I graduated on May 14, 2007 and started a job at a tutoring center in September thanks to a friend. It seemed like a good idea – I went to school with the intention of being a child psychologist. So the position made sense. For my first job, it was decent. I lived at home with my mom, and my loans were in deferment, so bills were minimal. In some ways, I was living my own piece of the post college dream. Yet there was a little piece inside of me that was restless and unsatisfied. I didn’t LOVE what I was doing, and I was craving more and starting to feel stifled. Come November 2007 (6 months after graduation), I was trying to figure out how to get out of my job and didn’t have a plan for what was next.

Fast forward to December 2007, I was laid off because the company downsized, which was such a serendipitous blessing for me. At the beginning of 2008 I spent 6 weeks in Trinidad that absolutely changed my life.

What prompted you to start She Dares?

During my time in Trinidad, I was so awestruck that I really wanted to share it with those who had never experienced anything like it. That year I started Her Journey travel magazine, which was an enhanced rebirth of the newsletter I used to send to my college friends to motivate us through those days when college life got real.
After doing that for a while, I wanted to CREATE these experiences instead of just writing about them. After doing a lot of these experiences alone, I realized that I wanted to find more daring women like me, I created She Dares to help form genuine connections in the best way I know how through fun and adventure. I LOVE meeting new people and finding out about them and I LOVE a good adventure. Putting those two things together, She Dares was born.

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Empowering Quotes from President Barack Obama’s Farewell Speech For Everyday Situations.

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I know I wasn’t the only one sobbing couple a of nights ago while watching POTUS’s farewell speech. Although his speech was a reel of his accomplishments he didn’t shy away from discussing the obstacles he faced while in office.  Regardless of your political standpoint there were a lot of takeaways from his speech that can be used for everyday life situations. Check it out.

When you’re complaining about the youth not respecting their elders but you won’t get involved in your community or mentorship programs.

“Change only happens when ordinary people get involved, get engaged, and come together to demand it.”

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When your business plan fails and you’re ready to give up at your first attempt.

For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back. But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all, and not just some.

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When you’re tired of internet trolls.

“If you’re tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life.

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When you’re judging your aunty’s fucked up husband.

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view until you climb into his skin and walk around in it

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When you’re aware that nobody got your back more than your ride or die.

“Every day, I learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.”

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16 Tips for Incoming College Freshmen From Young Professionals

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Screen Shot 2016-08-22 at 4.58.11 PMFirst of all, before you start judging my writing, let us bow our heads and THANK the one above for GROWTH! I mean, I chuckled the other day when this status popped up on my notifications. It brought me back to the days when I used Facebook as my personal journal.* FACE PALM.

Was I really this excited about going to college? Of course I was, even though the school was a stone throw away, but just knowing that freedom was near, was a HUGE DEAL for me! Also there are just somethings that are non negotiable  in a Caribbean household (like not going to college) so yeah…

For a sheltered girl like myself, college taught me more than I could bargain for  and I am always thankful for that experience. Now that I’m an expert of sorts… I would totally enroll and do it all over again, if Sallie Mae and her goons were not part of the equation. Below find some really useful tips from those of us who’ve been in your shoes.

On Education & Internships

In addition to keeping up with your studies it is important to be active in an organization on campus for the profession you have interest in.  – Raven, PR Specialist

Meeting those deadlines will create habits for future success. –Jocelyn, Fashion Stylist.

Travel abroad ! That’s one of my biggest regrets, to see new places and cultures. Lilas, Blogger

Get to know and stay in touch with your professors, internship supervisors, mentors & advisors, they could potentially be a great investment to your future. Lilas, Blogger

Whatever topic or field of study that is peaking your curiosity, go ahead and do it. This will determine where you belong. Nathalie, HR Professional.

On Trusting Your Timing

ALL things, and I mean EVERYTHING, in moderation… This is your time to see as much of the outside world in the context of an environment designed to help you dissect and process. Don’t spend all that time with only a few samples. -Dave

Be humble in everything. Life is rollercoaster! Don’t steam roll others on your way up, because you never know if you’ll roll back down.- Angelica

God will never forsake you or leave you astray. Sometimes a no, is really a not right now and that’s God’s grace protecting you.

On Being True To Yourself

Trust yourself, but don’t set limitations.

Stick to your morals and what’s real will come to you. It’s easy to lose yourself by trying to please total strangers. Andy- Marketing Specialist

Stay out of your own way! – Angelica

On Success & Failure

Don’t settle. If you do not feel a connection to your major, your school, the professors, or the environment, apply somewhere else and LEAVE. College is expensive and should be the best four years of your life. Getting involved in extracurricular activities, interning, and finding a mentor would be your best bet.    –Amira Onibudo, Founder of Unleashyourself.org

Take risk, in everything. The rewards of trying far outweigh the regrets of failure.

Peaks and valleys. Don’t let the successes or failures keep you down.

Relationships & Friendships

Fall in love, so if you endure heartbreak you have your formative years to get over it and grow.

Expand your circle and allow yourself to meet new people; there’s always something new to learn from/about others. Also, cherish your bonds to the fullest, nothing promises that you won’t grow apart later on. Lilas, Blogger.