I met Dana while working in New York. Dana was simply contagious – she had great energy and charm, great design sensibilities and indulged in french fries without regret (though it was usually limited to Fridays only). After having her first daughter, Sydney, she somehow made it look so easy… beautiful baby, big-city career and great hair. Always with the great hair. What stands out – is how comfortable she is wrapped up in all of it. A true Modern Mom.
Meet Dana Poor.
What does a typical day in the life of Dana consist of? Boom boom… two sets of feet sleepily making requests for milk, large coffee in my to-go mug (today’s reads: Keep Calm and Carry on), and a rough attempt to put a look together. I walk the kids to school, jump in my car, and try to be at my first client meeting by 9:30. Then I begin to settle into my daily coffee shop to try and create a “to do” list of priorities for the day: fabric selections, paint charts, furniture shopping, subcontractor calls, stop by a job site or two to check in on things, make calls in the car. And lastly, trying to delegate things I’m not going to get to.
Call the sitter to check-in on Holland, then it’s hurry, hurry home. On a great day, I get to walk over and pick up Sydney from school at 3:15. I make dinner for the fam, help with homework, pour a glass of wine, and breathe. Oh, and try to rouse my brain to think of something interesting to talk to my husband about besides how the day wore me out.
Being a mother of two must be a tough job in itself, how on Earth do you find the balance between your home life and your career? Some weeks are better than others. It helps that I get to pick the clients I work for, and that they understand my family comes first. If I didn’t have my own firm none of this would be possible. I carve out time every week to meet with wonderful girlfriends who hold me accountable to my spiritual goals as well as call me out when I am doing too much. If I have no stillness, I’m no good to anyone. Being married 11 years to the most level headed man I know helps, too.
At one point, you lived in New York City. What are some of your highlights from living and working in that area? Oh, I miss that place daily. Definitely the main highlight was just being in the thick of design culture and the pulse of the city. I miss central park, my block, my friends and co-workers, and a culture where diversity and creativity are the mainstream.
