Today we’d like to introduce you to Danica Michelle Woodard.
Hi Danica Michelle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I didn’t just become a writer — I grew into one through experience, faith, and a deep love for storytelling. What started with a single poem has evolved into a lifelong passion for helping others build, grow, and believe in their own gifts the same way I believed in mine.
My journey as a writer began when I was nine years old. I submitted a poem to our local Mini Page — the children’s section of the newspaper — and to my surprise, it was published. Seeing my words in print for the first time lit a fire in me that never went out. The second thing I ever wrote was another poem that was read aloud at a prestigious dinner when I was a child, and from that moment on, I knew writing was part of my purpose.
Years later, I started writing for a magazine called Urban Lux, where I became a regular contributor. The experience taught me so much about storytelling, voice, and community. When the magazine eventually went out of print and I moved back home to Ohio, I began reaching out to local publications to continue writing — only to be told that I couldn’t because I didn’t have a college degree. That made me laugh a little, because by then I had already been writing for almost ten years for others. I remember thinking to myself, “So I need a degree to do what I already do naturally?”
Instead of being discouraged, I took that “no” and turned it into motivation. I decided to create my own lane and launched my own magazine — one where I didn’t have to ask permission to share stories or ideas. We stayed in print for about a year and a half until the cost of printing became too high. But even then, the story didn’t end there.
People started coming to me for advice — asking how I started my magazine, how to build a brand, or how to launch their own business. That’s when I realized I could pivot my experience into something even bigger. I turned the magazine into Youngstown Sophisticated Services LLC, a consulting business that has now helped over a hundred people start or grow their own ventures over the past seven years.
I’m so proud of that work — not just the writing, but the teaching, the guiding, and the encouragement I’ve been able to give others. I believe in showing people how to take that one gift they have, nurture it, and turn it into something powerful. Because when you learn to be resourceful with your gift, that gift can truly open doors and set you before kings.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but every bump along the way taught me something valuable. When I first started writing, the passion was there, but the opportunities weren’t always easy to find. I faced a lot of rejection early on, especially when I moved back home to Ohio and was told I couldn’t write for local publications because I didn’t have a college degree. That was tough to hear after already proving myself as a writer for years.
But I learned quickly that sometimes, doors close so you can build your own. That’s what led me to start my own magazine and later pivot into consulting. Of course, that came with its own challenges — funding, printing costs, burnout, and figuring out how to run a business while still staying true to my creative purpose.
There were moments I questioned whether I was doing the right thing, but I always came back to this truth: purpose doesn’t come with a roadmap. You have to be willing to create your own lane, even when the path isn’t clear. Every “no,” every setback, and every hard season shaped me into a stronger writer, entrepreneur, and woman.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth — but it’s been worth it. The lessons, the growth, and the people I’ve helped along the way have all made the journey meaningful.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
By day I literally teach people how to use their gifts and talents to get them to the next level by being a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist. What I’m most proud of in my own life is that I never waited for permission to create. Every time someone told me “no,” I found another way to make it happen. From publishing my first poem as a little girl to launching my own magazine and later building my consulting business, I’ve always turned obstacles into opportunities.
I’m proud that I took something that started as a passion — writing — and used it to build something bigger that helps others. Through Youngstown Sophisticate Services LLC, I’ve been able to guide over a hundred people toward starting or growing their own businesses. Watching someone light up when they realize they can do it — that their idea is possible — that’s the best part for me.
I’m proud that I’ve stayed true to my purpose, even when the road wasn’t easy. My work is rooted in creativity, faith, and helping others believe in themselves. Knowing that my words and my journey have inspired people to take that first step — that’s what I’m most proud of.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck — I believe in blessings on blessings, powered by faith and consistency. I was blessed with a gifted mother and two incredible grandmothers, and I know their prayers still cover me today. We’re often living in the harvest of seeds our matriarchs planted, and we honor them by using the gifts God placed in us to continue what they started.
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