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Serious Lady Business is the podcast where we dive into the serious—and sometimes not-so-serious—realities of being a female business owner. Host Leslie Youngblood keeps it real about entrepreneurship as we dive into the hard lessons no one warns you about to the surprising wins that make it all worth it. Tune in for honest conversations, unfiltered insights, and stories that prove you’re not in this alone.
Leslie Youngblood (00:01)
Detroit has always been a city of builders, builders of businesses, builders of culture, builders of futures. This is Serious Lady Business, the Detroit Founders Series, where we spotlight the women who are creating, leading, and reimagining what's possible right here in this city that knows how to rise. These are the stories behind the hustle, the risks, the resilience, the pivots, and the purpose. Let's get into it.
Leslie Youngblood (00:31)
Welcome to Serious Lady Business. I'm Leslie Youngblood, your host, feminist and founder of Youngblood MMC, a marketing media and content agency. Today we are joined by Dayna Davis. Dayna is a Motown born singer, songwriter, producer and entertainment consultant whose work blends soul, storytelling and purpose. Rooted in Detroit's rich musical legacy, her sound embraces a modern intentional approach centered on authenticity, emotional truth,
timeless influence and empowerment. As a recording artist, Dayna creates music that speaks to love, resilience, faith, and personal freedom, using her voice not only as an instrument, but as a vessel for connection and healing. Beyond the stage and studio, she is a trusted consultant to independent artists and creatives, helping them clarify their vision, elevate their brand, and navigate the entertainment industry with confidence and integrity.
Holding an honorary doctorate in strategic leadership, is deeply passionate about amplifying diverse voices and stories while blazing new trails that help shape the future of music and culture in Detroit and beyond. And her newest single, Try, is also now available on digital platforms. Yay, welcome Dayna to Serious Lady Business.
Dayna Davis (01:43)
Thank you so much, Leslie.
Leslie Youngblood (01:45)
I'm just so excited to have you here. What incredible powerhouse you are of all the things we're going to be talking about sound Detroit's music legacy, voice and creative leadership in all these things. I would love to start when you think about Detroit's musical legacy, Dayna, what core values shaped you as an artist beyond genre or sound and how do those values still guide your work today?
Dayna Davis (02:13)
So naturally when I think of Detroit, growing up, I was influenced by the Motown sound. Not because I was alive during the time of Motown here in the city, but because my father is also a singer and he was deeply influenced in a part of that musical legacy. And so I feel like I grew up with it too. And so to me,
Leslie Youngblood (02:22)
Thanks.
Dayna Davis (02:40)
Detroit is equivalent with Motown and Motown music to me expresses innovation and collaboration and entrepreneurship and resilience. so for me, I love that same freedom to innovate and to collaborate and to find my own lane within the music world.
Leslie Youngblood (02:51)
Yeah. Yes.
I love that. think that is so beautiful. And you do, you use your own voice as an instrument and a vessel for healing too. When did you realize that your artistry was about more than performance, but also purpose?
Dayna Davis (03:14)
Honestly, probably about a year ago.
Leslie Youngblood (03:17)
Wow, I mean, wow!
Dayna Davis (03:19)
I've known this for some time now, but
in terms of healing specifically, I am a worship leader at my church. And for me, that particular music experience is solely about the worship in my faith. But naturally, people gravitate to me because of the music. And at that point, I'm able to really share the message.
Leslie Youngblood (03:41)
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Dayna Davis (03:44)
of the music.
And so that leads to conversations about prayer and about faith and about resilience and about identity and about self love and about just being your whole self and finding health within your whole self. But I've always known that I was a bridge. I've always known that I was to me, it feels a little different than maybe what
many artists might feel like I am both left and right brained. And so I toggle back and forth each and every day between corporate and between music and artistry. And being able to communicate between those two worlds is natural to me, but ⁓ I'm finding that that is maybe not natural to most. And so
I like to embrace that part of me and to be able to be a bridge and a communicator, a liaison, a translator between those worlds and to help bring the two together. They often come together and, you know, different kinds of sponsorships and, ⁓ and many different kinds of way. There's always music paired with commercials, with advertising, with, ⁓ live events, and those all have components of business.
and creativity and I kind of kind of lay the groundwork so that we can all get across smoothly. Yeah.
Leslie Youngblood (05:05)
Yeah, that's I
think it's so amazing that you really kind of that light bulb just went off for you in the past year or so when but it makes sense because that is a very common theme that I've heard from women where you think I have this gift. everybody must have this or this is not something that is unique to me. And then somebody may say something or you have this light bulb moment and you think, ⁓
Nobody, that's not normal for everybody else. Right? That's something that I'm uniquely thinking of or seeing or understanding. And it's like, man, it almost can break your heart where you kind of like think like, how did I not realize that? Or what's wrong? why wouldn't I realize that? like, there's so much specialness and uniqueness in each and every one of us. And we all have been given those gifts and
Dayna Davis (05:39)
Yeah.
Leslie Youngblood (05:55)
to exemplify them through all those facets that you have in that music is the core, which is such a special and unique gift to have to. I what brings people together more than music? And it is all around us, as you were saying, commercials, even sporting events, right? Like you think sporting events. Yes, exactly, exactly. Right. We were talking the day after the Super Bowl. And so, you know, there's so much music and every facet, even these.
Dayna Davis (06:11)
Yep. Well, that's the experience that right yesterday. Yeah.
Superbowl. Yeah.
Leslie Youngblood (06:23)
places that you might not think that music is. And so it's just, you know, I think such a magical thing to be able to tap into and share. Yeah. Yeah. The universal language, right? you and I have talked about that before as something that's really powerful. And what I think can be really interesting, too, that artists may wrestle with is the difference between being seen and being known. Dayna.
Dayna Davis (06:30)
It's like universally universal. it's, it's always there.
Yeah.
Leslie Youngblood (06:49)
And so I would love for you to explain the difference between those two and what helped you root your creative identity in truth rather than validation.
Dayna Davis (06:49)
boy.
How much time we got, Leslie? This is something that I wrestle with to this day, but I will say that as I get older, the more I just embrace my journey. And I would like to kind of set the premise that success is self-defined and that there's more than one way to skin the cat. And so I have...
Leslie Youngblood (07:02)
We have as much time as you need, friend. ⁓
Mmm.
Dayna Davis (07:25)
now started to embrace that I am me. I am Dayna Davis. There's only one me and that's the blessing.
Within music and entertainment, the way that that world is organized, there's categories and there's templates, there's set images, there's set trails and paths that people have taken to get to their end goal or to wherever they're at on their journey, right? And so naturally people tend to try to follow those same footsteps. And some of those...
Leslie Youngblood (07:41)
Mmm.
Dayna Davis (07:57)
Many of us can follow, but then there's some that just don't feel true or authentic or genuine to the way that I'm wired into my calling and to my purpose. And so for me being rooted in authenticity means that I may not take every opportunity because it doesn't align with my core values or it doesn't align with my gifting. We don't all sound the same. aren't all skilled the same.
Leslie Youngblood (08:19)
Mmm.
Dayna Davis (08:23)
We don't all have the same abilities. And that's okay because that's the beauty in diversity, right? And so what I'm gifted to do and the sound that I've been gifted with has an audience that it will reach if I stay true to myself. But when you are trying to push yourself in maybe different lanes, put yourself in different boxes where you may or may not belong,
or may not just be your highest self, ⁓ it can be a wrestle. And so for so long, I've been trying to fit these categories in boxes where I just did not feel myself and it was robbing me of my peace. And so it created a lag and a delay in my creativity process because I was trying to be someone that I'm not.
Leslie Youngblood (08:49)
Mm.
Mmm
brain.
Dayna Davis (09:14)
I grew up in the eighties, so I have a mix of soft rock, gospel, classic R &B and classic pop, and jazz, all in my sound. And so for someone to ask me, are you a jazz artist? No, but I can sing some jazz. Are you a gospel artist? On Sundays, you know. Are you a pop artist? Yeah, but with a little soul.
Leslie Youngblood (09:15)
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah
and
Dayna Davis (09:40)
⁓ you
know, so it's hard for me to label myself because it's like I'm D all of the above, you know what I'm saying? And I can conform, when necessary. I can replicate, but when it's me and when it's my original sound, my original work, my heart, just is what it is. And I'm okay with that. And I'm okay with my sound finding its audience.
Leslie Youngblood (09:46)
Sure.
Yeah.
Yeah, definitely.
Dayna Davis (10:05)
And I've noticed
within my live shows and with the people that gravitate to me, they're everybody. They're from the crib to the grave. They cover all spectrums of nationalities and races and cultures and upbringings and political beliefs and all of that. And so I feel like my sound is also a bridge. is.
Leslie Youngblood (10:14)
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Dayna Davis (10:29)
It just reaches a mass amount of people that can't be defined either. Nobody is monolithic and no path is monolithic. And so I hate to put myself in those constraints or anybody else.
Leslie Youngblood (10:44)
I think that is so on point when you are embracing your own unique voice, you are able to reach more people authentically. And so that speaks to the types of people that resonate with you. And I can't imagine how saying no is so scary, right? Especially as a music artist and you...
You know, you're looking for that big break or that level up or the quantum leap or whatever you want to call it. And you are grinding your creating and you know, you want something so bad. And when an opportunity comes that doesn't sit well to say no or to trust your intuition and your gut, whether it's artists, marketing, some kind of service business, a plumber taking a plumbing job, right?
Dayna Davis (11:09)
Yeah. Yeah.
Leslie Youngblood (11:29)
Like you have to trust that because I think we've all said yes and then realize we should have said no and listen to that our guts on that. But saying no is so scary. How did you find the strength to say no to some of those opportunities that you knew weren't right for you, Dayna?
Dayna Davis (11:44)
Honestly, it was my faith. If I can't sleep at night because of decision I've made, it's just a no-go. It's a no-go. And if it means that I have to compromise my image, my values, if it means that I have to sing things or appear in a way that just does not align with who I am or my brand.
Or if it's not, yeah, if it's just not in alignment with who I am or what I would hope to portray, it's just a no-go. And it is scary because, especially for me, because I work both sides of the aisle, ⁓ time is of the essence and time is very valuable because my time is now cut in half, essentially, with what I have for the capacity I have for creativity and the capacity I have for corporate.
Leslie Youngblood (12:13)
Mm-hmm.
Right.
Dayna Davis (12:36)
And so turning down something creatively, it is scary because it's like, if another opportunity doesn't come along? What if I don't have something to fill that bucket inside of me for a little while? I just, again, I go back to my faith to know that if I'm doing something with intention and with purity of heart and faith, that God will
Leslie Youngblood (12:47)
Mm-hmm.
Dayna Davis (12:59)
meet me with the right opportunity in its right time.
Leslie Youngblood (13:02)
I love that. You know, I want to also now pivot back to Motown. I mean, could there be a better city to grow up in than Detroit when it comes to music? Birthplace of Motown, Techno, Madonna. I I mean, I really think like who else can claim these musical legends? Alice Cooper. I'm trying to think of like, like, you know, help me out here. mean, there's somebody else. Sean, big Sean, big Sean.
Dayna Davis (13:07)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah.
I mean, it's like a rich bed of
Big Sean, yeah.
Leslie Youngblood (13:29)
Right? And so it's
like, we just have these incredible artists and inspiration. Tell us how growing up in Detroit shaped artistry and the way you understand music.
Dayna Davis (13:39)
So because we have like a plethora of genres and singers and different kinds of artistry that has come out of this amazing city, I just feel free. I feel free, right? I don't feel like, I feel like there's room for me.
Leslie Youngblood (13:50)
Hmm.
Awesome.
That is the coolest answer, Dayna. What a gift.
Dayna Davis (13:59)
I'm saying? It's
you know, like Motown had its lane and sound. And that was also very, you know, you had the smooth crooners and you had the kind of more dance groups and fun. And you had some of the real classic sounds that were paired with orchestras and strings. And that was all just within one genre. then of course you've got rock, you've got house, you've got techno. And.
Leslie Youngblood (14:08)
Yeah. Yeah? Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
Dayna Davis (14:24)
growing up here, listening to all of that, being influenced by all of that, and many of its members still kind of being around the city or having offspring here or just still roots here. ⁓ I feel like part of that spirit is just passed down in a way somehow. It's like in the air, it's in the water somehow. Do you know what I'm saying? And it was certainly within the Detroit Public School systems.
Leslie Youngblood (14:37)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, yes, definitely.
you
Dayna Davis (14:52)
⁓
At one point and maybe even now, like the amount of musicality and the education that we got within those school systems when it comes to music and opportunity, mean, nothing could really beat it. And I didn't even go to Detroit public schools, but I knew about them and I heard about them and I went to see them coming from a different school.
Leslie Youngblood (15:12)
Bye.
Sure.
Dayna Davis (15:15)
And
of course, Detroit is known for having a church on every corner. That whole church gospel sound is another beast of an influence and being able to hear different kinds of harmonies and being able to perform as a choir and as an ensemble is a really ⁓ unspoken skill that you get in the church experience.
Leslie Youngblood (15:20)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Dayna Davis (15:39)
That has certainly shaped my upbringing and just my musical journey.
Leslie Youngblood (15:44)
so you're you're talking I feel like there was this light bulb that went off where how you know, we have all these incredible pieces and it's in the air. But I also think that it's it has to also to do with the fact that we're
Midwest nice, but I mean that in the sense that people here are collaborative. They're open. They're friendly. You're meeting. You're connecting. And so if you're an artist that's interested in doing things, there are people there to help you or know somebody or, know, X, Y, and Z. so Detroit is a deeply collaborative city. Tell us about how the community of musicians, producers, mentors has played a role in your evolution as well.
Dayna Davis (16:23)
You know, it's just been exposure and it's family. It really is family and the whole Midwest Nice. It is a whole thing. you know, a lot of African Americans that have now called Michigan home is due to the great migration coming from the South North for the ⁓ auto plants. And so you get this Southern hospitality and you get this Southern nicety mixed with
Leslie Youngblood (16:31)
Yes!
Dayna Davis (16:49)
you know, just the working class, just real humble people, with a level of ambition to where I feel like that just runs through my blood also. And I just feel like this collaboration to help elevate everybody into their own calling and their own path, it's just, it feels innate almost, like I haven't.
Leslie Youngblood (16:54)
Mm-hmm.
Mmm.
my goodness.
Dayna Davis (17:14)
I haven't really found many where it's like crabs in the barrel mentality. ⁓ The music community here really does feel like family and it's, while it's expansive, it's also not very big. It's like Detroit is like a big city, but like everybody knows each other's city too. And so I've really appreciated just the connections and the strength of the network in Detroit, because if you
Leslie Youngblood (17:19)
Right.
you.
Dayna Davis (17:38)
If you don't know someone, they do. And they're usually willing to put you on, as they would say. You know, work together, you know, to build something really magical and just larger than life. And the tentacles just go really far here. And so it's really been nice to work with people from all different kinds of genres and walks of life. And even if I don't work with them, just to have a ⁓ really deep appreciation for what they do.
Leslie Youngblood (17:40)
Yeah.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
you have.
Dayna Davis (18:05)
and what they bring to the music community.
Leslie Youngblood (18:13)
Quick pause, because if you're listening to serious lady business, chances are you're building something of your own. And if your business feels solid, but your marketing feels scattered, reactive, or stuck, that's where Youngblood MMC comes in. We're a boutique marketing, media, and content consultancy right here in Metro Detroit, helping founders and growing brands get clear on their message, focused on what actually moves the needle, and confident showing up consistently. No fluff.
No trends just for trend sake, just smart strategy, strong storytelling, and execution that makes sense for your stage of business. If you're ready for marketing that finally feels aligned, head to youngbloodmmc.com slash Detroit to book your free 30 minute consultation now. That's www.youngbloodmmc.com slash Detroit. Now let's get back to the conversation.
Leslie Youngblood (19:14)
It must be really special too as a Detroit woman in music and finding your voice as a woman within this space, very unique than a man or a band, know, not just as an artist. Tell us a little bit about, you know, how that music in this collaboration has taught you about your unique voice.
Dayna Davis (19:34)
So I feel like I've been weird. Really just not the norm. I grew up, when I was growing up, I'm an only child. And so I kind of grew up with my own voice and being nurtured in that. And I've always kind of with my ground. You know what I'm saying?
I was kind of a boss. I was a boss baby. And you know, working in the corporate world, you gotta show up. You gotta show up and you've gotta be confident. And not just for smoke and mirrors or just to kind of play the game, but if you're working with integrity and you know what you're talking about, stand 10 toes down and let your voice be heard. And so that's...
Leslie Youngblood (19:54)
Love it. Boston, kid, Boston, through and through,
Mmm.
Yes.
Mmm.
Dayna Davis (20:18)
When I was growing up, I had amazing experiences that was skill developing, that built a community around me, and also gave me room to grow and things to aspire to. And it wasn't until maybe five or so years ago to where I became a little shy or a little withdrawn because of that uniqueness that we were.
Leslie Youngblood (20:41)
Mmm.
Dayna Davis (20:42)
that we were speaking about. At first, it was an incredible strength in my perspective, but then it felt ostracizing for some time. And it felt like I couldn't find anyone who could relate. But I was just, I got tired of wrestling myself. You know, I got tired of fighting the perceptions in my head and what I was not seeing. ⁓
Leslie Youngblood (20:51)
Hmm.
Mm.
Dayna Davis (21:06)
in mass media or commercial media. And I said, well, you know what, instead of fight it, why not just be it? That's what you were taught to do anyways. And so it's about taking that leap of faith. And to me, it feels like a quantum leap because I feel like I'm leaping by myself. But I think if you look at it holistically in large picture, everybody is unique and everybody probably has their own version of
Leslie Youngblood (21:09)
Mmm.
Mmm. Uh-huh. ⁓
Dayna Davis (21:35)
feeling like they are in their own lane and their own cocoon by themselves having to take a chance on themselves. And so in that way, I'm like, well, why not? Why not? too, regardless of sex or race, gender, however I call forward, whatever I define success, I too can do what the next person has done. And it was just a matter of faith and taking the next step.
Leslie Youngblood (21:46)
Mm.
Mm.
Yes, I love that. that was. Hey, guys, go back to try. I love it. I mean, right exactly where you're taking your life and creating art and sharing that with others that it surely resonates with. And I can't imagine, how much that perspective and what you've been through resonates with the artists that you work with in consulting. And earlier, you said that you were a bridge. And so.
Dayna Davis (22:01)
What Matters to Try, which is my new single. ⁓
Yes.
Leslie Youngblood (22:27)
Another notable piece of that is between artistry and consulting. And when creatives come to you for guidance, Dayna, what is the most common disconnect that you see with them?
Dayna Davis (22:38)
You know what? I probably shouldn't say disconnect, but it's, um, you know this, Leslie, the juggle is real. Having to be an entrepreneur, an innovator, a creator, and then anything else that you have to be, whether it's a parent, a spouse, a caregiver, all of the hats that we all wear, the juggle gets tiring. And so at that point you have to.
Leslie Youngblood (22:46)
Ha!
Mm-hmm.
Mm.
Dayna Davis (23:05)
prioritize where your efforts are concentrated, right? And so what I find in my consultancy is being able to get people to delegate some of the more business minded, corporate minded tasks that go along with the backend of creativity. And so a lot of that is, you know, marketing contracts.
correspondence, communication, those are things that can really either be counterintuitive or counterproductive to the creative process. And so I come alongside and collaborate with artists of different kinds to say, hey, I will wear those hats for you so that you can focus on what you do and your calling. So you go be creative and you tell me what your desired outcome is.
Leslie Youngblood (23:29)
Yeah.
Holy
Mm.
Dayna Davis (23:54)
and you tell me your brand, the vision that you have, and I come alongside and help to execute the business end of that for you.
Leslie Youngblood (24:02)
what a gift for the artist to have that help because I can't even imagine all the things that go along with being the artist. Like you said, the business, the contracts, and it can be, I'm sure, very easy for somebody to, in business especially, can take an advantage of or to do something that they realize maybe was a mistake or not the right decision. And so to have somebody in their corner advising them that they can trust and lean on for all of those things allows them to be a better artist. So.
What an important facet.
Dayna Davis (24:31)
Absolutely. And not
all time and energy is created the same, right? So you can have time, but to have the mental space and capacity for certain kinds of tasks can really take away from the kind of energy you need for creativity. Do you know what I'm saying? So I might be free at 10 o'clock at night, but if I had to choose between...
Leslie Youngblood (24:36)
Right?
Mmm.
Dayna Davis (24:56)
you know, responding to five emails or writing a song, those are two different sides of the brain that are at war with each other. And so if I have to, if my job is to produce a product and to create something, then I need to delegate this other stuff.
Leslie Youngblood (25:02)
Why? Yes!
Yes, definitely. How do you help them, even at the very basic level, clarify their vision without compromising their creative or even spiritual integrity?
Dayna Davis (25:23)
Yeah, so you know what, it's about having some honest conversations. It's about priorities and it's about how they define success. So I typically like to first start big picture, like where are we going? What's the end goal? Where are we trying to go? And then we backtrack to, okay, so where are we today? And what steps would it require to get to where we're going? And a lot of those are questions of,
Leslie Youngblood (25:27)
Yeah.
Mm.
Dayna Davis (25:51)
What you have time for? What do you have money for? What do you have expertise for? What are some deal breakers? And so sometimes that means, you know, like if you have kids and you need to be at recitals and you need to be at baseball practice, then that might mean that maybe you can't attend every rehearsal. Maybe you can't do...
Leslie Youngblood (25:54)
Mm.
Dayna Davis (26:12)
Friday and Saturday and Sunday shows. Maybe you can only do two. That may mean you don't make as much money. And so then you have to decide what's a comfortable living for me? What's most important? Do I have support for this particular lifestyle that I'm trying to achieve? And then we can kind of order the steps based upon your risk threshold, your priorities, your non-negotiables.
and your end goals.
Leslie Youngblood (26:40)
when you put it like that, it makes so much sense. when you are creative minded, when you're an artist, that's definitely not going to be anywhere on the list of what you really probably think about.
Dayna Davis (26:49)
It's not, and those
are typically hard conversations because you first got to have it with yourself, you know, and sometimes with your family and to decide, you know, am I willing to compromise relationships? Am I willing to miss maybe monumental moments in the span of my kids or my spouse or family? You know, do I have someone that can step in and help care for my parents? Do I have someone who can?
Leslie Youngblood (26:52)
⁓
Yeah.
Mmm.
Mmm.
Dayna Davis (27:15)
you know, who can come alongside me and who can understand the vision and kind of take the load for now until we get to a certain place. Do you know what I'm saying? And so those are all things we have to take into account when we're building a strategy and tactics within.
Leslie Youngblood (27:24)
Yeah. Yeah.
Yes, a million percent. again, something that I think is so important, whether you are an artist or a business owner, you want to start a business, right? You're essentially the business of you as an artist that you work with. And to have those conversations, because I feel like, was it Michelle Obama who said you can have it all just not at the same time? Right. Or was it some, I think it was Michelle. And so it's like, yeah, let's get, we're going to give it to her because we love her. But it's like,
Dayna Davis (27:50)
Yes.
If you'd like to do it to her.
Leslie Youngblood (27:58)
to have those conversations where to be the best. And I think Emma Greed does a great job of explaining this too, where it's like, you don't get to this level without trade-offs, without saying, you I'm not going to volunteer at the kids' school, but I will be there after school every day for them. And it doesn't make you a bad mother or a bad person, but you have to figure that out and have those honest conversations.
Dayna Davis (28:07)
Yes.
No.
Leslie Youngblood (28:21)
so that you can go to where you want to be and that you have the support of the others around you that also want to see you succeed, but also don't want to feel like they're an afterthought to that dream of yours as well. And I think that is a conversation that so many people don't realize until you're in it and you're in it. It's crazy. And then it's bad.
Dayna Davis (28:32)
Yeah.
And ultimately like at peace with yourself and your decisions and knowing that you made the best decision at that time that you could for all of the many pieces and cogs going on at any given time, you know, so that you don't have to look back and say, my kids don't even know me or, you know, like my spouse and I weren't able to make it because your career became your spouse and
Leslie Youngblood (28:54)
Mmm.
Right.
⁓
huh.
Dayna Davis (29:07)
You know,
so you want to make sure that you are clear with yourself. You're clear with the people you might live with or the ones that are really supporting you and clear with whatever spiritual or higher power that you might subscribe to, to understand what's anchoring you and what's pulling you forward.
Leslie Youngblood (29:27)
I definitely made my work my mistress previously in my life. you know, I felt that way with my husband where I'm like sneaking, checking work emails, like in secret. And it was like, this is not right. This is not the way it should be. This is not, you know, I don't feel good, like, right? Like, and if this was the right thing, it wouldn't feel this bad. And, but if I'd had...
more those conversations at the beginning. I'm sure I would have never gotten to that place. And it's easy, I think too, as artists especially, because you have this something inside of you different than, others and you can allow it to consume you because you love it so much. And it's so easy to give your entire self over to it, but that's not fair to the other people in your life. And so it is a blessing and a curse sometimes, but you have to.
Dayna Davis (30:07)
Yeah.
It is.
Leslie Youngblood (30:18)
able to rectify and have those hard conversations with yourself and with others.
Dayna Davis (30:22)
And so again, I don't say that to shame anyone because it's something that everyone has to deal with and wrestle with throughout the journey, you know? But it is a real thing. And so I think for your overall health and just holistically speaking, I think it's something that if you can knowingly address on the front end as much as possible, I think that those benefits will really pay off dividends on the back end.
Leslie Youngblood (30:25)
Right.
Everybody. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Dayna, your journey, your evolution is so profound, artist, producer, consultant, leader. What has growth required you to release along the way?
Dayna Davis (30:59)
honey, I've had to release perfectionism ⁓ and I've had to release control and control in the sense that I need to delegate and create a team to help me do the things that I'm doing for others. Right. It's like every, every mentor has a mentor or they should know what.
Leslie Youngblood (31:04)
Mmm.
Mmm.
Right.
Yes! Yes!
Dayna Davis (31:24)
And so I now need people in my life that can help me bring my vision to pass and help me sturdy myself and be a backbone and support and to help delegate the many tasks that it requires to be what I would call success. ⁓ It's been my baby and I have evolution isn't easy. And so I've
Leslie Youngblood (31:41)
Mmm.
Dayna Davis (31:48)
The transformational process has cost me some things. And so it's hard to give over what you fought for and what you had to birth, right? It's like you're good. But I also know that I'm not going to grow or get anywhere quick if I don't start to build a team around me that can help build in and buy in.
Leslie Youngblood (31:58)
Mmm. Yeah.
Yeah.
Dayna Davis (32:14)
That's what I'm now looking to do. And then just perfectionism. Nothing and no one is perfect. And no matter how hard I try to deliver a perfect product or service, it doesn't exist with the exception of my purity of intention. And so I just have to let it go. I just have to know when it's time to release.
Leslie Youngblood (32:20)
Mm-hmm.
Mmm.
Yeah.
Dayna Davis (32:38)
with my latest project, try. Every time I listen to it, I'm like, I should have done that differently or I should have fixed that. But it would never get done. Nothing would ever get done. Nothing would ever get released. Nothing would ever get published if I didn't just release it and say, this is the best that I've got today. And I hope that you can receive it with the intent in which it was produced or created. And you know, what is it?
Leslie Youngblood (32:45)
You
Mmm.
Dayna Davis (33:03)
Perfectly imperfect, am I saying that right? Yeah, and so you've just got to go with that sometimes.
Leslie Youngblood (33:08)
Yeah, right. And isn't all art really not perfect, but it's perfect and it's imperfection. And there was something, gosh, was it, you know, because everybody's obviously AI is big in the conversation and there's art being created by AI. But people were saying at the very core, it's trash because art is is an imperfect expression of a perfect of a person's perfect idea or self expression. And so
Dayna Davis (33:13)
Yeah.
Yes.
Leslie Youngblood (33:36)
AI will never hold a candle truly to true art because it comes from this really human source and this really human space of only what we can do is imperfect. But when you look around to it, at nature, and we get caught up, and I think women too, especially, we allow ourselves to get really caught up in that trap of chasing perfection, or whether it's comparison or.
what have you, then we look at, and what are some of our favorite things of our imperfect people, right? Like you're not gonna look up to somebody that's perfect because they're boring or, a perfect piece of art is boring, right? Because it's created by AI. What's that? It's unrelatable. And so why do we do that when we, when we hold ourselves to this ridiculous standard that we don't even like others? Why do we do that? So stupid.
Dayna Davis (34:07)
That's right.
It's unrelatable. It's unrelatable. Yeah.
to this, yeah.
No!
Leslie Youngblood (34:27)
It's ridiculous when you think about it and then truly that but then what you're kind of frees you to let those things go and knowing that, and I love what you said too, it's an imperfect maybe extension from a perfect intention, right? Because at the core, whether it's a song, a book, a business, you're trying to bring something to life that doesn't exist, right?
Dayna Davis (34:44)
rest.
Yes, you
Leslie Youngblood (34:54)
You're trying
Dayna Davis (34:54)
are.
Leslie Youngblood (34:55)
to figure it out and it's not gonna be that perfect representation. You're trying to get as close as possible to it. And I just think it's really deep, right? when you think about it, what a silly thing to try to make it perfect. Really, what do you think about it too? Because it doesn't exist. It's perfect in its own way. Yeah.
Dayna Davis (35:03)
It is.
And you know what, even on a less
ethereal moment, I mean, I want to say for maybe 2024, 2025, I was very much kind of off social in a way because I want it to look a certain way. I want it to look like these AI characters that are generated. And I'm like, I don't look like that. My skin's not that flawless.
Leslie Youngblood (35:23)
and
No. No.
Yeah.
Dayna Davis (35:33)
⁓
My waist isn't that snatched, you know, or my hair isn't that refined today, whatever. And so I wouldn't post at all ⁓ because I wasn't perfect. didn't look like Hollywood, which pays a lot of money to look perfect per se, you know what I'm saying? And I'm starting to just embrace me and just, this is me, this is how I woke up, you know?
Leslie Youngblood (35:35)
and
Mmm.
Yes, they do.
Yeah.
Dayna Davis (35:59)
and you can take it or not. And I'm really just starting to get there if I'm very honest. It's a process on many levels.
Leslie Youngblood (36:01)
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Sure.
my goodness, never ending job is the job of self. Right, exactly. Exactly. Don't give up on it.
Dayna Davis (36:13)
It is, it is. But it's a job that you should always do. I'm grateful
for the lessons and grateful to at least have a mind to want to evolve and transform.
Leslie Youngblood (36:26)
Yeah,
and I think that at the core is the most important thing is to have that desire as well, Dayna. What does, freedom look like to you right now as a creative woman rooted in Detroit, Dayna?
Dayna Davis (36:39)
You know what? Freedom looks like being able to make a comfortable living, doing what I love with the people that I love. And it's really that simple. So if I drill down into that, I would love to just travel a lot around the world, to be inspired by people and cultures and ways of life and being able to write songs for myself and for the stars. And
Leslie Youngblood (36:47)
Hmm.
when.
Mm-hmm.
Dayna Davis (37:06)
being able to help people find their way along their unique path. ⁓ Those things combined is just incredibly fulfilling for me and my soul feels most free when I can do all those things and also have the capacity to love my people.
Leslie Youngblood (37:11)
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, that's beautiful. For women creatives in Detroit listening today, Dayna, what does it mean to honor the city's legacy while giving themselves permission to create something entirely their own?
Dayna Davis (37:35)
You know, I think it's always wise to learn from the past and to learn from the trailblazers and whom footsteps we also cross. But it's also really cool to know that they blaze their own trail too. And so that gives me permission to do the same for me and for those that come behind me.
Leslie Youngblood (37:54)
Mmm.
Dayna Davis (38:00)
creating more inroads and paths and possibilities for me, my legacy, and for those that come behind wanting to do the same. And so I think there's this really beautiful blend of being able to pay homage to those that have come before us, but to also take the reins and to take it to the next step, to climb to the next rung, and to make it your own, and to be to yourself. And whenever you're true to yourself, you're free.
Leslie Youngblood (38:23)
Mmm.
I that. I feel like that's a perfect message that everybody needs to hear. What is next for you this year? We have this incredible single that just came out. Try. What else are you excited about? What's coming up? If you can divulge some of those details. I know sometimes it's top secret.
Dayna Davis (38:43)
So
I'm hoping to release some more new music this year. Hopefully I'll have an EP by the end of the year. So that would be really exciting. And I hope to have some amazing collaborations that I can't yet speak of, but I do have some plans in the work to really bring together some interesting sounds and venues that aren't normally paired together and really
providing a contemporary sound for my artistry. So I'm really excited about that. I'm sorry I can't divulge more just yet, but ⁓ I am excited about that. And I'm hoping to really just spread the light of music in its universal language and the spirit in which it encapsulates to really just be a bridge and a unifying force in our country, especially now.
Leslie Youngblood (39:15)
I love it. Me too.
Thank you.
And for those listening, Dayna, where can they connect with you and follow along so when you do divulge those details, they'll be in the know.
Dayna Davis (39:40)
Yeah, so a lot of my stuff is on my website, danadavis.com, and that's D-A-Y-N-A, davis.com. I'm also on Instagram and Facebook. On Instagram, I'm Dayna R. Davis, and Dayna Davis on Facebook. So I'm posting, I've got to check my stories out, and you can keep up with me there.
Leslie Youngblood (40:01)
And we will also drop those links in the show notes for everybody so you can easily click over and follow Dayna and connect with this incredible Detroit artist. We are so thankful and grateful to have you joining us today, Dayna. What an incredible conversation. There's so much goodness there, whether you are an artist or a business person or, you know, a stay at home mom, there is so much there to be said for that.
Dayna Davis (40:14)
Thank you, Kathleen.
Leslie Youngblood (40:26)
soul that you brought to this conversation and your experience. we are just, what's that? The dream is universal. We all are these spiritual beings trying to find ourselves. Yes. Bring something new and especially joy and love. And, and I just love all the ways that we all express those things differently. So, thank you so very much, Dayna was such a pleasure. Thank you.
Dayna Davis (40:30)
The dream is universal, right? The dream is universal.
birth something new.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Thank you Leslie, what an honor. Thank you very much.
Leslie Youngblood (40:54)
Cheers.
Leslie Youngblood (40:56)
Detroit doesn't just make things, it makes leaders. And today's conversation is proof that when women build here, they build with grit, vision, and heart. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who believes in supporting women founders, especially right here in Detroit. And make sure to follow Serious Lady Business for more conversations with the women shaping our city and redefining success on their own terms. Until next time.
Keep building, keep leading, and keep doing serious lady business.