Diane Danielson

You say that you've never been daring until you were in your 30s, got divorced, became a single mother and started a company - tell me more about this. What did being a good girl consist of? What inspired or moved you to dare yourself to make such dramatic changes in your life, take on risks, and live differently?

For my first 30 years, I'd always taken the safest, most highly recommended path in life. I was a good girl and did what my parents, professors and coaches told me. This ultimately resulted in my ending up a misfit in law school and the practice of law. Trying to do something you don't like is tough and I was depressed for much of my 20's. During that time, I made another decision that was the good girl "thing to do." I married a guy who clearly liked me when I was depressed. Yet, it seemed like it was a "safe" thing to do. I was so busy being everybody else's idea of a "good girl" that I had no idea what my own likes/dislikes were; I just adopted those of the most dominant person around me.

When I switched careers in my mid-20s, it was the first time I ventured down the "not safe" or daring path - I left law to be in marketing in commercial real estate. Surprisingly, I did really well. This was my first hint that being daring was a better way of life.

Which brings me to the next big change: When I was 31 and pregnant, my ex and I divorced (definitely not the "good girl" thing to do). I switched jobs soon after maternity leave, because I felt I wouldn't be challenged in my VP of Marketing position. I took a VP of Biz Dev job at a bigger company in the same industry. I wanted to challenge myself and the notions that people had about single mothers. That new company was a learning experience, both good (new skills) and bad (the new president didn't see much potential for a single mother in the company), and when the downsizings came, I couldn't accept the offer to transfer to DC to be near my family, since my ex threatened to sue me if I left the state.

I realized that to raise my child, one parent had to be flexible and it looked like it was going to have to be me. Instead of interviewing at other companies, I started writing a book about networking for women, based on my experiences with working with all men and then running the Downtown Women's Club (DWC) on the side. I had started the DWC in my late 20's because I didn't have many role models in the workplace. The book led to the growth of the DWC and a bit of a career as a public speaker/freelance writer. That seemed to work out well for me and my son, but then it began to involve too much travel, and I was in Boston with no support system, except for my ex-husband who traveled extensively for his company.

Thus, the final change, which happened last year: I looked at what I had with the Downtown Women's Club and put together a business plan to make it a profitable venture with more online activity. We are now implementing that plan and it provides the mental challenge and the flexibility that my life as a single mom requires. Along the way, we developed some software for supporting the "online profiles" at www.dwcfaces.com, and we are now developing a second company (FacesInABox.com) to market the software. While I still occasionally write and speak, this new direction does not require the travel. Although it does require a lot of daring and risk!

You started your own company, Downtown Women's Club - what is it all about?

The Downtown Women's Club started as a lunchtime professional development/support group of friends. Many of us were young, high achievers in male-dominated businesses and therefore had no role models except each other. We started in Boston and we grew to a couple hundred women from 1998-2003. Then I wrote the book about networking (Table Talk: The Savvy Girl's Alternative to Networking) and we expanded to NYC, LA, and a few other locations. Now the club has morphed into DowntownWomensClub.com where you can network online in addition to our in-person clubs. Our goal is to continue to provide the support and information women need to succeed, and also different ways for them to connect. We have online profile pages (www.dwcfaces.com), a DWC LinkedIn Group, a group blog on DWC.Gather.com., discounts and freebies, etc.

What has been the toughest aspect of starting your own business?

Working alone. It was the first time I didn't have a boss, team or others to exchange ideas. However, I've completely eradicated this aloneness by hiring a few "virtual" consultants to help with the technology and the newsletters. I also borrowed some office space from the Center for Women and Enterprise so that I would have constant interaction and now I have a group of Advisors who I can contact with questions.

The most surprising?

That I'm a tech geek! I love technology and as my tech team says "I know just enough to be dangerous." I'm fascinated by the blogosphere and what's happening in the social network space. I even know some rudimentary programming. These are skills I never would have developed if I stayed in law or marketing.

The most rewarding?

Whenever I hear that the Downtown Women's Club has been a part of someone's individual career success. I sometimes get so wrapped up in business and revenue modeling, that when I get an email or note from a member saying that they learned something or met someone through the DWC and it has helped them, I remember why I started the DWC in the first place.

As a single mom and entrepreneur, how do you find any semblance of balance in your life?

I knew being your own boss would provide flexibility, but I have a greater amount than when I did the public speaking. While I still work a lot, it's virtual and on the computer. I can work at night after my son goes to bed, on weekends when he's at his father's, and pretty much anywhere I am that has a wireless connection. This keeps me available for my son whenever he needs me. Sure I work more than 40 hours/week still, but it's at my choosing. And to quote a very good friend of mine, "My life is in balance, this is the balance I choose."

What is the one piece of advice you want to share with other Daring Females who are thinking of starting their own business?

Surround yourself with smart, positive people. Get rid of the energy drains and the doomsayers. You'll be much too busy having fun to deal with them.

To learn more about Diane and Downtown Women's Club, go to www.downtownwomensclub.com.