Meet Danielle Calabrese: LA Mama and COO of HERE Studio

“I enjoyed helping people feel better and offering a premium niche product, but what I quickly realized is that I am passionate about health and wellness, but really my first love is business.”

WHAT DO YOU DO AND WHAT LED YOU TO THIS CAREER?

I am obsessed with food and always have been. I started my first juice business out of my home kitchen in 2010 with my best friend Sarah Bascon. I enjoyed helping people feel better and offering a premium niche product, but what I quickly realized is that I am passionate about health and wellness, but really my first love is business. Since staring that company I've learned a lot of very difficult lessons, but also have been lucky enough to start up several food and beverage companies and help other founders do the same. Today, I am COO of HERE Studio, a consumer packaged goods holding company that owns and launches brands. I love what I do and wouldn't change any of it.

WHAT ARE THE NAMES AND AGES OF YOUR CHILDREN?

Stella (4.5) and Gemma (3).

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT THUS FAR?

More of a mindset than an actual achievement that's come from getting older and experience, but being able to slow down and take time to think before reacting. The first part of my career was all about hustling and getting to the finish line. Now I am much more interested in quality. It's a marathon, not a race.

WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING ASPECT OF BEING A MOTHER?

Tucking my kids in at night knowing that I gave them my all and they are happy

AND WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING?

Being a working mom can be really tough. Walking in the front door after a long day of work, dropping everything and just showing up for my girls is awesome but also super challenging sometimes. The second I'm home it's no longer about me, work, and what happened that day. It's all about them. But thank god because they keep me glued to the ground and out of my head. Everything I do is for them.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR SOMEONE NEW TO YOUR INDUSTRY?

Call everyone you know that has done what you want to do and get as much advice out of them as possible.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR A NEW MOTHER?

So cliche but enjoy every moment because they slip away so fast. If you're a working mama, take your time going back to work. You will never regret waiting another month or two to get back to the office. But what you will regret is not giving your baby all the time they deserve.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU? DO YOU HAVE ANY EXCITING PROJECTS COMING UP?

Working with my team launching a new Mexican fermented and probiotic drink called Tepache. The brand is fire! You will be able to find us in Whole Foods in January.

Follow Danielle at @dee_calabrese.