In this powerful episode, Katrina sits down with interior designer, entrepreneur, speaker, and author Danielle Saintard Valiente to unpack a life that has truly done a 180. Danielle shares how a turbulent and unsafe childhood led her to redefine what “home” really means—and how a single TV show at age 13 sparked her purpose to create that feeling of home for others. She walks us through her leap from Massachusetts to North Carolina with $900 and a dying car, the strangers who stepped in to support her, and the couple who believed in her so deeply they offered her up to $50,000 to start her own interior design firm. Then comes the plot twist: within weeks of launching her business, Danielle is served with three lawsuits for $350,000 by her former employer, becomes effectively homeless, and is pushed to the edge—emotionally, financially, and professionally. Her decision not to settle, and to stand firmly in the truth even when everyone told her to “just pay and make it go away,” becomes a defining "Did she really say that?! " moment. Danielle and Katrina explore fear, faith in yourself, alignment, the reality of the first 10 years of entrepreneurship, the necessity of failure, the power of mentors, and what it takes to dismantle the emotional walls that keep us from real connection. Danielle also shares her vision of stepping onto more stages, supporting nonprofits that prevent childhood abuse, and the ripple effect of one person choosing to believe in another. This is a conversation about courage, voice, money, lawsuits, survival, and ultimately, deep healing and purpose. Danielle Saintard Valiente is a passionate entrepreneur, interior designer, published author, and inspirational speaker. After growing up in an unsafe environment in Massachusetts, she discovered her calling at 13 while watching a design show: to create home as a feeling of safety and love for others. She pursued a degree in interior design, drove 16 hours to North Carolina with $900 in her bank account, and built a career from the ground up. Over 12+ years in business, Danielle has combined her love of design, communications, and personal development to help others trust themselves, navigate fear, and understand that who you were in the beginning doesn’t dictate who you get to become. She is IIN-certified in health coaching, a philanthropist committed to preventing childhood abuse, and a sought-after speaker ready to take more stages and support entrepreneurs, especially women, in reconnecting with their voice and power. Her memoir, 180 Degrees: Emerging from Childhood Darkness, shares her journey from trauma to triumph and offers a message of hope, resilience, and radical self-trust.------------------------------------- Resources & Mentions Book & Film – The Secret Topic: Manifestation, law of attraction, and how what you put out into the universe returns to you. TV Show – Trading Spaces The design show that first inspired Danielle to pursue interior design and to create “home” as a feeling. CreatHER Planner (from Katrina) A planning methodology designed to help women “plan like a woman,” aligning life, business, and energy. Special Offer from Danielle Danielle is gifting a copy of her book to listeners. How to claim: Go to Danielle’s Instagram Send her a DM with: That you heard her on Did She Really Say That? The secret keyword: creatHER Thanks for listening! If you are enjoying our podcast, leave a comment below. We love hearing from our fans and other female entrepreneurs! We are collaborating to make business better for every woman! Feel free to share this podcast on your favorite social platform. And if you are listening on any of the podcast platforms, we would love it if you could post a 5-star review. Please, help us get our message out! Together, we discover how each woman has the power to unlock another woman when we are open about what we are redefining as women in business.
