August Feature: An interview with Danielle LaPorte

Recently, we had the pleasure of interviewing the fabulous entrepreneurial Danielle LaPorte. She has trail blazed paths of inspiration and authenticity. She shares her knowledge generously through her website at whitehottruth as well as through a release of her new digital book, THE FIRE STARTER SESSIONS, which are designed to help entrepreneurs rock their career with integrity, audacity and their truest strengths. What's even more amazing is that it’s also created to give back, with portions of every purchase going to The Acumen Fund or WomenforWomen.

Danielle delivers on every level: smarts, guidance, authenticity, deep wisdom, intuition, killer business acumen and practicality." - Danielle Vieth

1) In the news story of your life, what would the headlines be?

That's a great question! It would be: Rising from the flames

2) What is it that you know now that you wished you knew as an emerging young women?

I wished that in my early twenties, that I would have honored my feelings more. I wouldn't have gotten in the habit of making myself wrong if my opinions didn't match somebody else's. Now I'm very clear, and this is also about what I talk alot about to entrepreneurs and women. Your feelings are your best guide for your strategies. That's it. Ignore your feelings at your own peril. And every entrepreneur, male or female will give you examples of this, and one way or another they the same thing I'm saying: at the end of the day all you have is your instinct, your intuition, your small little voice: that's your power slot.

They're everything. I think you need to do all those things (research, facts, etc.) but at the end of the day: it's your instincts that makes the decision.

3) You're one of those people who is really authentic and real which we greatly admire. What are some mistakes you think that young professional women entrepreneurs make compared to their male counterparts?

They don't speak up, they don't push because we dont want to be seen as aggressive. We don't want to be seen as b*tchy or over emotional and alot of the times, what is required is that warrior spirit with a feminine impulse. We're far too quiet.

4) That's really interesting,  because how do you walk the fine line then, between being seen as too aggressive but also having respect when holding the power?

"Walk the fine line" is an interesting metaphor. I say forget the fine line, forget being contained, forget staying between the bounds of that "fine line!" Certainly you do business with respect, morality, elegance, integrity... but forget the "fine line." It is the death of your passion and heart-connected intellect.

Steamroll the "fine line!" karate chop the line! Sometimes you need to step over it, you need to bend it. It's gone! Genius and great things are never achieved if you stay on your side of the fine line.

5) In your About Me section, you wrote that " I think that feminine power and progressive power will revolutionalize how we live." Where do you see these two elements intersecting to make way for the future of women in business?

I met with the Dalai Lama in my late twenties, and he said "women are the future. They are the future leaders because they have peace implicit within them." That seed was planted.

I think that feminine principles are characteristic such as inclusivity, a true sense of what is holistic, an easy compassion. The world needs that. Period. All of those things can be applied to really shrewd business strategy to make this world a better place and make money while you're doing it.

6) What is your favourite quote?

I don't know who said this, but I read it on a card in San Francisco:

" love everyone, trust few and paddle your own canoe"

Thank you so much for your time Danielle, We wish you the best and continue rocking!