USTYLE: I like to start each interview by allowing you to introduce yourself to our audience. Please formally introduce yourself.
Dana H: My name is Dana Hicks-Hungerford.
USTYLE: I have to say I have known you for quite a few years now. You are definitely the epitome of a true entrepreneur. Tell us about the projects your are involved in right now and then we will elaborate further on a few of them.
Dana H: I’m a playwright, I have a casting company (United Star Casting), Co-owner of Hungerford Distribution, Director of Marketing for Hungerford Real Estate & Development, and the Co-Owner of the OFFICIAL BAG LADIES (YOU MAKE THE BAG).
USTYLE: Wow! The woman of many hats!
USTYLE: Let’s discuss your philanthropy work. You give back a lot to the community and extend yourself consistently to those in need. How important is it to make sure you are present for individuals and most importantly the community?
Dana H: I don’t feel fulfilled on the inside if I am not giving back to others. When the pandemic hit, it hit me hard seeing other people suffering. During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic Brian & I started a company with our partner in West Palm Beach Florida called Gateway Distribution Group. We had contracts with hospitals & nursing homes in states up & down the East Coast. The business was really good in the first year, but do to heavy competition Internationally & price gouging it was short lived. We in turn donated mask, gloves & sanitizer to homeless shelters, nursing homes & to people in need. We held coat drives, fed families in need during the Holidays, had clothing drives and toy drives, Most recently during the cold Winter nights my partner April Dodd & I started a blanket drive campaign. We went out into the DC streets, along with Brian and passed out blankets to homeless people throughout the city.
USTYLE: I’m sure the efforts you make giving back is very fullfilling and very much appreciated.
USTYLE: “The Official Bag Ladies”, a very interesting venture and every woman is rocking the bags right now. What made this an interesting venture for you to pursue?
Dana H: I was inspired from seeing random purses that had hand painted designs on them. I thought to myself, I would love to promote positivity on a bag. I came up with “YOU MAKE THE BAG.” I wanted people everywhere to understand that “YOU MAKE THE BAG” the bag does not make you! Once I did that I realized that I still needed someone to be the artist. I thought about a friend of mine that I knew was an extremely talented artist & a true go-getter. I called April and told her my vision and she was all in with bringing it to life! I came up with Official Bag Ladies and here we are now shipping out bags to people as far as Settle Washington & California. We are still in the lab, but our website launch is coming soon. People can still reach us to make purchases @Officialbagladies on IG.
USTYLE: Can we expect an expansion?
Dana H: We are getting ready to have our first Magazine Feature for “YOU MAKE THE BAG” and we are truly excited about that. We are working on our “Spring Collection” for our website launch that will be full of bright vibrant colors. We have a lot of ideas, but we are taking our time and searching for different style bags that we truly think our customers will love to carry.
USTYLE: What is the key driving force that keeps you going? Like what keeps you motivated and constantly evolving?
Dana H: I always want more for myself. I know if I don’t go after what I want and if I don’t push through my trials and tribulations my dreams will not come true.
USTYLE: Very inspiring; the drive you have.
USTYLE: How do you manage fear or does fear exist in your vocabulary?
Dana H: Fear does not exist in my vocabulary when it comes to grinding. I’m not scared or ashamed to fail. I hit rock bottom before, so I know that I can get up and make it happen all over again.
USTYLE: “A Woman’s Love” stage play, your baby. Briefly give us a synopsis of the storyline and can any of it be attributed to your personal experiences?
Dana H: A Woman’s Love is about family and friends. It brings Mental issues to the forefront. One thing that I will say is that it is a very thought provoking script and you would have to see it for yourself to understand why I’m saying this. My story line has nothing to do with me personally. I wrote the script over 10 years ago and it was just me sitting back watching things happen in the world that inspired me to write it.
USTYLE: Now I know that this has been in the works for some time now. Why is it important for you to get this very important dialogue to the public at this particular time?
Dana H: I had roadblock after roadblock trying to get my story onto the stage. In 2020 I was finally ready! We were in our 3rd week of rehearsals and Covid-19 showed up & shut us down. I was like OMG, not again! Fast forward to 2022 and here I am having rehearsals. Dr. Lovail Long & DC Black Broadway believed in me & my story enough to allow me to become the very first playwright under their Residency at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. I feel like God truly aligned my timing with my stage play debut. It just so happens that now Mental Health is being talked about openly now everywhere you look. May is also Mental Health Awareness month. I just feel like GOD is showing me now that my patience & perseverance was not in vain.
USTYLE: Yes, like they always say timing is everything and now is the time for “A Woman’s Love” I find that our biggest test is in patience.
USTYLE: How are you preparing for such a big production?
Dana H: I’m blessed to have people that truly have my back and want to see me win on my team now. Gill Nelson has been my Director from day 1 and Cornita Cole has been my right hand lady, it’s a blessing to say that they are both still on my team today. I also have other amazing people working with me behind the scenes. Most importantly, I have a husband that supports any and everything that I do. Our company Hungerford Distribution is producing “A Woman’s Love.”
USTYLE: When did you know you were ready to begin production?
Dana H: When the world started opening up again.
USTYLE: What would you like for your audience to take away once seeing this production, both men and women?
Dana H: People need to understand that actions always cause reactions. I truly think the story will make people look at their own actions and interactions with people in a different light. I also want people to understand that Mental Health issues can show up & it can happen to the best of the best.
USTYLE: Will you do another stage play?
Dana H: I’m already writing and I have 2 stories that I can’t wait to bring to the stage.
USTYLE: You have been in numerous productions and now you are on the other side of it. What is this like for you?
Dana H: I truly enjoy being an actress, but I think I like producing, writing & casting even more.
USTYLE: You are always on the go, so seriously what is a typical day for you?
Dana H: Working on one of my businesses, assisting my husband on his businesses and we still find time for family and fun on a regular. I have been through so much in life that I live life to the fullest everyday!
USTYLE: Define success in your eyes Dana?
Dana H: Success to me is having a goal & vision and bringing it to life.
USTYLE: What has been your most satisfying moments so far?
Dana H: I’m satisfied just waking up everyday.
USTYLE: You and your husband Brian Hungerford are an awesome “husband and wife” team. How important is that for the both of you?
Dana H: It’s so important and it’s an amazing feeling, because it just comes naturally for us. He supports me & I support him. The only thing that I don’t do is work with him on his IT business. I know absolutely nothing about IT. Hungerford Distribution, Hungerford Real Estate & Development, A Woman’s Love and YOU MAKE THE BAG, he handles the business aspect behind the scenes of everything. He does not like the limelight he prefers to be in the background & out of the way. We balance each other so perfectly. He calms me down with his laid-back style & I give him life with my wild & crazy energy. It works for us!
USTYLE: I absolutely love you two together. I remember telling you when you first got married to stay in love and you two are doing just that’s. It’s a beautiful thing to see. Congratulations!
USTYLE: How do you make sure you make time for your marriage and keeping the foundation strong and sanctity of marriage?
Dana H: We are best friends and we literally do everything together and have a ball doing it. We respect each other, we agree to disagree, we communicate very well. Even with saying all that we still get on each others nerves like every other couple in the world.
USTYLE: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Dana H: You need to have tough skin, Believe in yourself and Push through your trials & tribulations.
USTYLE: If you were to write a book about your life, what would you name it?
Dana H: The Underdog
USTYLE: I like.
USTYLE: If you could leave “one: word to another aspiring entrepreneur who wants to follow in your footsteps, what would that be?
Dana H: Possible
USTYLE: Last but not least and MOST important… “A WOMAN’S LOVE” When, Where and How can everyone purchase tickets?
Dana H: Saturday, May 14th & Sunday, 15th 7:00pm at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club www.bbjlive.com
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