Sponsored by 40 Under Forty Professional, community, and civic organizations: Lake Barkley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Kuttawa Tourism Commissioner What specific steps or strategies did you take to become successful in your field? I figured out something that I loved in life! The lake, vacations, and entrepreneurship, so I took any course I could on those exact subjects. I have a degree focused on business administration and went to Business Boutique with Christy Wright for three years. Again, learning how to create business plans, market what we do, who we are, and how we do it. I became a travel advisor learning what vacationers want from vacations and what they seek. I learned the rules of the water in navigation because if I loved the lake, I needed to know this lake. Someday, I could own a resort in this area; I did not realize I would do it all before 40. What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? DO IT WHILE YOU ARE YOUNG to enjoy the life you work hard to build. This statement has shifted my way of thinking in everything I do. I want to have the opportunity to enjoy the life I make with my son, my husband, and our dearest friends. I also want to mentor employees/students and help them do what they love while young. The second piece of advice that I live by every day: You are going to be your biggest supporter or your biggest hurdle. Train your brain to be your biggest supporter! 12 SEPTEMBER 2023 Danielle Lee Owner, Holiday Hills Resort and Tween the Lakes Campground Deric Tarnowski Owner, Builders 1st Choice and Precision Property Maintenance, Realtor with Jeter Group Dylan Street Entrepreneur, Guerrilla Marketing, Dylan Street Cinema/Photo, Street Slingshot Rentals, Branson Offroad Rentals, Buffalo River Offroad Rentals Manager, Respite Bed & Breakfast Professional, community, and civic organizations: Christian Fellowship Church Member and Worship Team Member, Murray/Calloway County Board of Realtors Member, National Association of Realtors Member, Murray Country Club Member, Purchase Area 4th Day Community Member What initially inspired you to pursue your profession? I’ve always loved helping people. Growing up working in my parents’ business I saw the impact someone could make when they cared about the people who walked through their doors. Having such great examples in my daily life help set me on the path I’m on today. Have you had any mentors or role models who have influenced your professional growth? I called up leaders and business owners I admired and asked them if they had a few minutes to spare to answer some questions. Those conversations led to meeting, which led to mentorship, which led to them connecting me with more like-minded people. Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know but I am willing to learn if I get the chance.” That helped me more than anything, being able to listen and apply shared knowledge. What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? Life is long and great things don’t happen overnight and that is a good thing. Take your time, surround yourself with people that lift you up, and don’t forget to help others along the way. When I started operating out of that mindset is when huge progress happened. Never miss an opportunity to help others like the people who have helped you. Professional, community, and civic organizations: United Way of Western Kentucky Board Member, Teen Challenge Southeast Region-Western Kentucky Board Member, Youth Baseball & Basketball Coach, MCDAD, Faith Center Paducah Minister What specific steps or strategies did you take to become successful in your field? At the core of my success is always putting God first as well as the rock-solid support I get from my family. How did I build my skills? The combo of DIY learning, rubbing elbows with fellow business owners, and the trial and error method. I always tell folks I have a master’s degree in YouTube University, I learned most of my skilled trades from that one platform alone. The game-changing moments in my career came from taking risks and never accepting “no” for an answer. I get tired of hearing this phrase from folks when they run into a little opposition, “Yeah, it looks like God was shutting that door.” No, maybe God was seeing if you’d be willing to tear the door down. I’m a firm believer in the power of never giving up, even when the odds are against you. It’s that go-getter, David Goggins and Les Brown attitude that is the key to success! What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? I believe that Jordan Peterson says it best, “I believe that most people are living at a 40% capacity of what they’re created for. This is a life and death game, no one gets out of this, everyone dies, and you might as well commit yourself to living at 100%.” I do what others won’t do to have what others won’t have. I know this isn’t “business advice”, this is life advice, and it’ll take you much further than a piece of business advice. Live at 100%.
