Dani Townsend – Building Independence

As a military spouse, Dani Townsend took a unique path to finding professional fulfillment. Her husband, Brad, serves in the Army and the two are raising a growing young family. Dani’s struggle was finding a professional outlet that fit her background, her schedule, and her unique living circumstances. “I never finished college, and I didn’t think it was possible to find a job where I’d make enough money to be worth taking time away from my family. And it just wasn’t possible for me to find a stable job when we were moving every couple of years.”

Decidedly against working only to cover daycare for her (then) three children, Dani was immediately intrigued when she learned that Melissa Parent, a friend and fellow stay-at-home mom, had just earned her Lexus through her Rodan + Fields business. “I have an older model Lexus, and the Parents talked with me to help them decide which model they should get. I was shocked. I had a Lexus, sure, but I could definitely use a newer one!” After a single conversation with Melissa, Dani was all-in on this new opportunity. “I’m a ‘go big or go home’ girl, so I said, ‘Let’s do it. Let’s just jump in and see what happens.’”

Finding her place

Dani launched her new business in August 2014, and worked at least 10 hours per week on top of her already busy schedule. Her initial struggle was with her own belief in herself as an entrepreneur. “Sometimes I seriously doubted myself because I was just a stay-at-home mom who used to be a stay-at-home wife. I was surrounded by Independent Consultants who were also corporate professionals, doctors, lawyers, and nurses.”

But it didn’t take her long to realize that her Rodan + Fields business offered opportunity regardless of her education or experience, and Dani grew in confidence as her business grew. “It’s amazing to talk to adults who know how to help me and are great at just being there to support me. In some ways, my R+F business has made me a better mother because I’m not in ‘child mode’ all the time. Fellow Independent Consultants are always saying ‘You can do this,’ ‘How can I help you,’ and ‘What do you need.’ This supportive community has enabled me to fulfill a different part of myself and build my confidence.”

Dani having a great time at a team building event in Colorado Springs, CO

Big, meaningful results

With four kids and a deployed husband, Dani also loves that her business works around her busy life. “The great thing about this opportunity is that I can fit R+F into the nooks and crannies of my life! My children get to have a present mom, my husband gets a lower stress level, and my business has been growing at a steady pace. The thing I love most is how moving around the country has actually been beneficial to me now that I have my own business! We’re finally getting to the point where we can take a deep breath.” In the future, the Townsends plan to further lower their financial burden, earn a Lexus, and help put their children through college.

Dani and her husband Brad while they were stationed in Colorado Springs, CO

Dani is even more excited about how her R+F business has changed her identity. “I finally realized that I’m the expert regarding my own business, and I don’t need to compare my journey to others’ to reach the same success. This journey has helped me build self-confidence. I know now that I can do more, be more. Being a stay-at-home mom is important, but it’s also important to me that I define myself as something other than mom, wife, and military spouse.” Though they’re all important cornerstones of her life, Dani finds a new kind of freedom from having another identity independent of those labels.

Dani and Brad with their children after the arrival of baby #4 in Colorado Springs, CO

Passion for others

Helping other people is Dani’s main passion, and she loves watching how her work impacts those around her in a positive way. “I love that I’m in the business of giving people the self-confidence to leave the house without makeup. Growing up, I was always a little embarrassed by who I was and what I looked like. To see grown women develop the confidence to go out and be who they are without worrying about people judging them on their skin is the most important thing to me. The thing that makes me the happiest is hearing how R+F products have changed other people’s lives.”

More specifically, Dani is determined to continue helping other military spouses flourish. “As a military spouse, we really get what it’s like to find a community of people who really understand you and the life you live. I’ve been fortunate in finding the same kind of understanding in the R+F community. That’s something I never expected when I started my business. I’m passionate about sharing this opportunity with others, especially military dependents who want a more portable career and lasting community that grows and travels with you as you live your life.”

Dani with her 4 children during Brad’s deployment to Afghanistan.

An encouraging message

Dani is moving forward in her career, powered by an unshakable drive to succeed. “When my husband gets back, I plan on really buckling down. I’d like to take this business as far as I can. With this business the sky’s the limit—even for a stay-at-home mom! No matter where you are, what you look like, or who you are professionally or personally, there’s no limit to what you can accomplish.”