Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Kelly.
Hi Danielle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My story starts while I was a cast member at the Walt Disney World Resort. I was a cast member for about nine and a half years and loved my time there. I worked in multiple lines of business all over the property. Everything from working as an Arcade Attendant and Merchandise Coordinator. To a Fairy Godmother at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques and a Training Facilitator. In all my different roles, I learned Disney’s history and how my role played in the larger picture of the Disney Company. Then in January 2020, there was talk about a virus in Washington State. The next thing I knew, cast members were told we were getting two weeks off.
The weeks pass, and I’m still out of work, and we are still determining when we will return. During this time, my coworkers were anxious, nervous, and worried. At the time of the “shutdown,” I worked in a small jewelry store in Disney Springs. The struggle with working in this store was that there were only about 25 of us in total. So we were all very close. They were my work family. We would have zoom call parties, talk, gossip, and send each other funny memes. In one of those zoom calls, one of my coworkers suggested I look into an app called TikTok. I made a couple of videos and sent them to my coworkers, and they thought it was a hoot. A couple of weeks passed, and one of my coworkers suggested, “Danielle, maybe you should talk about some of your Disney stories. You know, like, a lot!” I started testing it out, I talked about work and Disney facts, and those videos did okay. One night, I came up with a little jingle to go with one of my videos. “Random Disney Things in the Middle of the Night that you probably don’t care about, but I will tell you anyway! “The immediate response was overwhelmingly positive. People loved it. I tweaked it a bit and made it more consistent. When I was called back to work, I continued to make my TikTok Videos. I filmed in my car, after my long work shifts. This allowed me to focus on something positive during the stressful covid return to work. By creating positive content for my followers, I was also helping myself to relax. Little did I realize that I was setting up the base for my brand back then. I would tell Disney history or tell a story based on a guest’s question they had that day. Now, mind you, I was one of the few cast members that had returned to work during this time. Disney Springs opened up before any of the parks and resorts. I was back at work while some were still stuck in their homes. So I strived to make positive and uplifting videos—attempting to bring that Disney magic to those who still had to wait a little longer. Even as things started reopening around the property and as we started settling into a new sense of normal, I kept making late-night videos that I would post between 11 pm-1 am. Slowly but surely, my TikTok following grew from 10,000 to 50,000, to 100,000, and on, which was great but also a little difficult when you work in a guest-facing role at one of the largest international tourist destinations in the world. I started having people recognize me at work, which was fun. However, I was also a coordinator. Meaning I was stepping in for guest situations, explaining warranties, dealing with cast member breaks and drama, and being an emotional counselor, all these things. So when I was dealing with a situation, and someone recognized me at the same time. It put me between a rock and a hard place.
As things started settling down in this post covid environment at Disney. I started looking at what I was going to do next. Did I want to stay in Merchandise, or was I going to try to go somewhere else to continue up the corporate ladder? I started having one-on-ones with my leadership and asking for opinions on what I should do to move up in the company. And many started mentioning, “Danielle, you realize that if your social media presence keeps growing, you might start having to choose.” Many of my leaders and peers commented on how much they liked my content. Many were my followers and encouraged me to pursue more of my social media. The question was, “Do I stay at Disney and work in front of the house, or do you want to grow my online presence?” I had a conversation with my mentor. She looked me in the eye and said, “Danielle, what do you want to do? What is your dream job, and would you do it for free? Where is your heart? Do you even want to be in management?” That conversation hit me.
Then with the encouragement of my family and friends, the question in my head changed to “What if”? What if I left Disney and pursued the social media thing? So after many sleepless nights, crying on the couch to my family, and many lists of pros and cons on both sides. I put in my two-week notice and told my coworkers the news on Halloween. Nothing says spooky season like “Trick or Treat, I love you, but I’m leaving!” Let me tell you. This was one of the hardest things for me to do. Unlike many people who leave a company, I loved my coworkers! They were my work Ohana. My official last day was Nov. 13th. However, I announced it on Nov. 17th. Primarily because I was working on my first Youtube video, and I wanted all my posts to coincide with that video announcement.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, I would not call it a smooth road. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when you quit your job. You are now unemployed or self-employed, as my family would call it. You are the boss; you have to call the shots and make your schedule, which has been a hard transition for me as the Mouse has been making my schedule for the past 10 years. With these new stresses come some positives. I have more time to visit the parks and see my followers now. I’m still talking about Random Disney things, and I’m just not filming in my poorly lit car anymore.
I now have an online store where I sell merchandise with my logos and sayings. I have also had time to get back into creating art, which was my original dream years before working at Disney. I’m doing conventions and selling my Disney fan art. I will be traveling to a couple of other out-of-state shows very soon. For those of you that are wondering, this is my primary source of income at this time. I have been blessed to have such an amazing family with my back when I need help in everything: business, support, and labor. I’m expanding my social media reach thru Instagram and Youtube. However, I am still dealing with the learning curves of each social media platform; each has a very different audience and algorithm, which means creating other content for each one. My social media is starting to get to the point where more brands and companies want to partner with me. There is a learning curve for that too! So if you are here, how can you be a full-time influencer? I honestly can’t tell you. I’m still figuring it out myself. All I can do is share my journey and my story. I will tell you, it is a lot of work and takes more hours than what I worked at Disney. But it’s worth it. This adventure has led me to talk and interact with amazing people like you.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I do a little bit of everything. Even at Disney, I was considered a “jack of all trades.” Which perfectly describes me. The whole saying is, “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but often better than a master of one.” I do it all. Through my social media, I teach everything from makeup to Disney History. I have a passion for vintage looks and items. I create art for myself and my online store and freelance for other businesses. But at the heart of it all, everything I do is me. That’s what sets me apart. The same Danielle you see through your screen is the same in real life. Today’s modern audience on social media can see right through “the fake” of some creators. I strive not to be “fake.” I want to be genuine and express myself in everything I do. This even applies to some of the ad campaigns I have done. I have turned down many offers simply because they don’t align with my personality, or I would never use them in real life. My followers can tell, and they appreciate that.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Currently, I live in the Kissimmee area. However, I have lived all over central Florida in the past few years. One thing I love about living in central Florida is that we are a true melting pot of different cultures and backgrounds. We have great food and hidden gems. We have great places around town catering to tourists and locals. Whatever you’re looking for can be found if you know where to look. However, the one thing that is kinda a downside of living in this area is the “attractions rut.” I’m guilty of this myself. Sometimes we get stuck visiting the exact theme park locations and eating park food. It’s just because it’s convenient and we know what to expect. I may consider myself an expert on Walt Disney World, but as I grow as an influencer, I want my audience to learn more about my Florida. My favorite french bakery or mom-and-pop restaurant. Please look up farmer markets and craft fairs in your area. Yes, we do have them! Find your local theater, or at least visit a show at Dr. Philips. Try the local coffee shop, not just Starbucks. Find your community, and don’t be afraid to drive 30 mins down the road to find it.
Contact Info:
- Website: thedapperdanielle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedapperdanielle/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW42ub54ndxKlxnbYfLETfg
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thedapperdanielle?lang=en
