Danielle Berman - Founder of DB Consulting

Ideas are just accomplishments that haven’t been researched enough.

Danielle Berman has dedicated her career to helping others. She is passionate about giving back to the community and aims to educate others on the best ways to make a social impact. She is an avid consumer of content (books, podcasts, tv) and she strives to learn something new everyday. Her ever expanding network and knowledge helps her stay creative and innovative.

She founded DB Consulting to put her knowledge and experience to good use guiding professional athletes and businesses who want to make an impact in the community.

Danielle has worked with dozens of professional athletes, non-profits and corporations on philanthropic initiatives ranging from international mission trips to local football camps.

She has an extensive background in sports management, digital marketing, sports philanthropy, and strategic partnerships as well as business development and media relations.

Danielle has maintained key relationships with high profile executives from various industries. She worked with a successful University of Miami Executive MBA for Artists and Athletes which graduated more than 60 current and former NFL players, models, entertainers and more.

She has coordinated various international mission trips to countries such as Haiti, Malawi, China, Egypt and Guatemala with professional athletes and entertainers to raise awareness for their favorite causes. She has coordinated and managed events at high-profile venues such as the United Nations and Super Bowl Week.

Danielle previously worked with The Brewer Group and their CSR arm, The Jack Brewer Foundation, where she served as Managing Director to provide further access and opportunities globally for the firm, its clients and partners. She also served as an SEO Manager for Tandem Interactive, a digital marketing agency in South Florida. She has also had experience in the corporate sports world, including communications and marketing roles with the Syracuse University Athletics Department, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Baltimore Orioles.

Danielle graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Sports Management and a minor in Public Communications. She earned her Sports Philanthropy Certificate from George Washington University.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

Working in the sports industry, I realized the unique power that sport has to make a difference in the world. I have always been passionate about helping others. I realized that there was a need to educate professional athletes and corporations on the best ways to make an impact through sports philanthropy. Now, I work to help guide and advise athletes and businesses on philanthropic initiatives.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I hate getting up early, but I force myself to so that I can focus on some of the to-dos I need to complete before the craziness of the day kicks in. I usually get up around 6am to give me a couple hours before others start calling or emailing. I am also a list maker. I usually have a lengthy to-do list for everything I need to do, and then create a separate to-do list for that day showing what I absolutely need to accomplish. As a consultant, you could work 24/7. For this reason (and other scheduling issues), I usually work out in the evenings to give me a clear “end” to my day.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Ideas are just accomplishments that haven’t been researched enough. I work primarily in marketing, events and partnerships, so I start with researching a strategy, putting together a game plan and then just going after it. I don’t have anything fancy that I do, I just put my head down and get to work. I strongly believe that hard work really makes a difference.

What’s one trend that excites you?

The trend of athlete activism that has been more and more popular lately is what excites me. Sports philanthropy needs more awareness on the work that so many great grassroots programs are doing. When professional athletes speak out against social issues or support causes, it shines a light on those hard working organizations out there working in the community. I hope that this awareness brings more funding and opportunities to the space.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I make a goal to learn something new every day. Whether it’s in sports philanthropy or just in general, learning something new brings you new perspective and creativity in your life and your work. I consume a lot of content (some might say too much) from podcasts, books, television, articles, music and documentaries. I love it because I learn so much from the varying perspectives, stories and ideas.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t worry about anybody else but you. I’m still working on this one. I am naturally a people person and a people pleaser, so I work hard to help people as much as I can. I hate letting people down. When I was younger that always meant biting off a lot more than I could chew and placing major stress on myself. I haven’t completely gotten out of this habit, but saying no is something I try and do on a regular basis. You have to take care of yourself first to be able to really help anyone else.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

That we are living in the most peaceful time in human existence. I read a book from Harvard Professor Steven Pinker called “The Better Angels of Our Nature”, where he discusses studies and historical research that proves violence has been steadily declining over time. It’s quite a long book (700 pages of research analysis and lots of graphs) but I thought it was a fascinating look at reasons behind the history of violence in the human race and where we are today. Bill Gates is a big fan too. No one really believes me though, because if you turn on the news, you’d think we are living in one of the most dangerous times.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Follow up. When I meet people at an event or even through social events that express interest in my business, I make sure to follow up. Maintaining relationships is extremely important. Even if nothing comes of that relationship until years down the road, you never know when you will need that person’s assistance or that person’s network. So follow up with everyone and stay in touch.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Networking. I can’t stress enough how important this has been for my business. Many of the opportunities I’ve had in my life have come from networking. Attend different events, join local groups and get involved in the community. Meet people and tell them what you do, and your business will grow faster because of it.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

There are pitches that I’ve made to prospective clients that I’ve put a lot of thought and time into. These are clients that I’ve been genuinely excited about supporting. But I didn’t get their business. The first few nos are hard, but once you realize that “no” is the worst thing that will happen, the rejection starts to become more of a learning process rather than a fear.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

I have elderly grandparents who both have spent time in and out of the hospital. While I make every effort to spend as much time with them as I can, I am lucky to have a big extended family to keep them company and advocate for them. There are so many people out there who don’t have a large family or aren’t close with their families, and it makes going through major medical trauma or issues that much harder. I would love to one day create a business that hires caregivers and advocates to support these people and give them the attention they deserve.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I am all about continuing to learn every day. I recently spent $50 on an online webinar from General Assembly and I got a lot out of it. I’ll definitely continue to look at their course offerings. I also take advantage of local community college classes in all kinds of areas- not only are you learning, but you are meeting people and networking as well!

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

Google drive is what I primarily use for my business. It keeps me organized and I can access my documents from anywhere, which is helpful in case I’m on a different computer or traveling. I also love Canva- it’s free website that helps with design projects like presentations and portfolios, social media posts, etc.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. This book is a classic and I can guarantee you that every successful businessperson has read this book. The fact that the same things are still true now as they were in the early 20th century shows how important this book is. For me, it really simplified what matters in business, no matter what industry you are in. A quick and easy read with a lot of good takeaways.

What is your favorite quote?

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” You may recognize it from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It reminds me to take a breath, pause and put things into perspective.

Key learnings:

Give yourself time to get your to-dos done before everyone starts adding their to-dos to your list.
Make a goal to learn something new every day. By consuming a variety of content, you can stay creative and innovative in your work.
Don’t worry about anybody else but you. You have to take care of yourself first to be able to really help anyone else.
Maintaining relationships is extremely important. You never know when you will need that person’s assistance or that person’s network. So follow up with everyone and stay in touch.
The first few nos are hard, but once you realize that “no” is the worst thing that will happen, the rejection starts to become more of a learning process rather than a fear.