Meet Dana Williams | Published Author & Daytime Emmy Award Winning TV Producer

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

Hi Dana, what is the most important factor behind your success?

I am an entrepreneur of an online boutique called Style Elites, a published author and a Daytime Emmy- Award winning TV producer. I can say the most important factor behind my success is my drive, perseverance and consistency to just elevate and do better. I think the most detrimental mindset a person can have is to “not try”. I’ve always adapted to the fact that I rather try and make a better life for myself, then to not. One thing for certain is that your circumstances will never change if you don’t put forth the effort to do so.

I remember growing up on the Southside of Chicago, thinking how big the world is and how I really wanted to explore EVERYTHING!!! I was blessed enough to have parents that cultivated my visions and nurtured my motivations to gain more out of life, I knew that having a household of that nature was a blessing; as many of my peers and friends didn’t have that same luxury. Although, I had the internal support to gain BIG wins in life, but that didn’t mean my journey and accolades were handed to me easily.

My biggest contributing factor to my brand I can say is having a healthy and positive village that nurtured my inspirations and visions. A good support system can definitely make your life struggles and adversity a little easier to tolerate.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

My career was set to thrive and succeed in the TV/Film industry. As a TV producer the journey to break into the industry was a long and persistent one. I originally got my start in the entertainment industry as a radio producer for a secular radio station in Chicago called Power 92. In this position I just learned how to get acclimated with working with top tier talent and artists in the music world, but I also gained a plethora of technical and interpersonal skills that later I found out would always serve me in a positive way later on in my career. After five years of working in the radio/entertainment industry I made the transition to the television realm. I literally pursued every connection I could think of to get my first start, including becoming an audience member for some of your most popular tv shows on air at the time, until I landed my first production assistant job at that same show for a prominent judge in Chicago. Fast forward to almost ten years later, I’ve landed my first recognition with the television academy, worked on three Daytime-Emmy nominated shows and joined the Producer’s Guild for elite television professionals.

My journey was not an easy one my career as a television producer can be extremely rigorous on your mental. The hours, the power struggle of balancing multiple projects, prepping talent, etc.. can all play a part on your self-esteem. I had people around me that would make me doubt myself on rather I was good enough to even make It in this entertainment industry or not. But my perseverance prevailed and wouldn’t allow me to give up on myself. I’ve gone now to also write a self-care and positive affirmation book called “I Dare You to Love Yourself More: A guide to self-love and positive affirmations” that’s available on Amazon, Apple Books and in Barnes & Noble stores for purchase. I wrote this book as a purpose for me to be a beacon of love and light to other black women that look like me and have overcome some challenges like me as well.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Whew! Let’s see, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia about three years ago and it’s southern hospitality, vibe versatility and sunshine is what made this city an instant “yes” for me. So when friends and family come into town I always like to put a brief itinerary together for them to enjoy the city just as much as I do. On the start of the weekends usually, which is usually on Thursdays I love this swanky hookah spot called Moustache Hookah Bar located in Sandy Springs, their hookah is always good and they have great music. Next for the weekend is a spot that makes some awesome coconut mojitos that will sooth your soul, called Botica ATL. Then, we would head over to do some bowling or game play at this place called the Painted Duck or another favorite is called Pin & Proper. Lastly, I’ll top off the trip with some lobster fried rice at this eccentric restaurant called Poor Calvins in midtown.

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?
I wholeheartedly dedicate my success to my village: my parents, my close friends and my selective group of mentors.

Website: https://danamariethebrand.onuniverse.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/danamarie_thebrand?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dana.t.williams.7

Image Credits
Malachi Lee Jamaal Wallace