Meet Trailblazer Dannie Kelly

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dannie Kelly.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
About 4 years ago, my husband (TréVoy Kelly) picked up a camera for the first time in one of his art classes. Like a true artist, he immediately began to explore the world through the lens. What started as a simple hobby, developed into a deep passion. After getting several requests from friends and family to capture special moments, he decided he wanted to turn his passion into a business. For the next 4 years, we work as each other’s ying and yang. He captured as many souls around Houston as he could and I worked as the business manager making sure all of our clients’ needs were met. Although most of our clients lived near North Houston, we found ourselves constantly driving to the South or in Downtown Houston to rent studio space. It was always our dream to own our own personal space where creatives around Houston could feel inspired to produce artistic pieces and as the years went by we felt more of a pressing need to birth that dream. Earlier this year, we were presented with the opportunity to make that dream become a reality and we jumped on it! It was surreal. After years of praying, hoping, and wishing for space… we found the perfect fit and named it North Houston Studio. Our vision grew to not only be a space where cameras come alive but to be a space that any creative could use. Our 1,000 sq. ft. space is perfect for art galleries, pop-up shops, baby/bridal showers, and more!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of the hardest things I faced was feeling self-doubt. Although I have a degree in Corporate Communications, when my husband entrusted me with the task to run the operations of the business, I immediately started with the self-doubt talk. “I’m too inexperienced”, “I’ve never done this before”, “Will people like this idea as much as we do.” It was as though the dream slowly began to deflate and turned into this cloud of anxiety and overwhelming pressure. Pressure to produce something real out of what felt imaginary for 4 years. I remember waking up thinking, “What did I just do?” I remember jumping on the phone with my husband and he told me to change my self-talk from negative to positive. He was right. I spent so much time worrying about all of the “what ifs” that I wasn’t living in the now. I remember hanging up the phone and looking at myself in the mirror. I said, “Dannie, it’s your dream… now live it.” From that moment, I committed to listing personal daily affirmations that I would say out loud every morning. Immediately, I noticed a shift. When my words changed, my world changed. So to the young woman that doubts she’s good enough for her own dream, I’d tell her “If you’re good enough to dream it, you’re good enough to live it!” My challenge for the aspiring female entrepreneur is for her to write at least 10 daily affirmations that she will recite out loud. The sentence should start with “I am…” and then finish it with what you dream about yourself.

We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. 
I love helping people become their best selves. I get the most joy helping women discover their fears, look them in the face, and kiss them goodbye. When I’m not working, I’m talking. It’s true! I love to talk. My mom told me once that, “God gave me a loud voice because I have something important for people to hear.” It’s my goal in life to make sure that what people hear is a voice of hope; therefore I make time to speak in schools, churches, and conferences to relay that message.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
My mother. She’s shown me that having your world fall apart is not the worst thing that can happen. The worst thing that can happen is for you not to rebuild. She’s the epitome of graceful strength and I hope to be as resilient to life’s storms as she has been.

Contact Info:

• Address: 15355 W Vantage Pkwy
  #106
  Houston, TX 77032
• Website: www.northhoustonstudio.com
• Phone: 281.939.5221
• Email: info@northhoustonstudio.com
• Instagram: @northhoustonstudio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northhoustonstudio/

Image Credit:
TreVoy Kelly Photography

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