From aspiring gynecologist at six to founding a multifaceted lifestyle brand, the journey of Danielle Leilani is a testament to passion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to supporting women. What started as a childhood dream evolved into a thriving enterprise, Leilani Social, which began as Leilani Weddings a decade ago. Along the way, pivotal moments—from coaching young cheerleaders to an eye-opening fashion PR internship—shaped her path. With a mission to make wedding planning a joyful experience and empower women globally, Danielle has transformed challenges into opportunities, creating a legacy of inspiration and empowerment.
Can you tell us about your journey from aspiring gynecologist to founding Leilani Social? What pivotal moments or experiences led you to where you are today?
It’s funny, because when I was six years old saying I wanted to be a gynecologist, I definitely did not know what that meant. I just knew that it was a doctor for women and I knew I wanted to support women. That continued on when I became a cheerleading coach for middle school and high school aged girls when I was 19. I always knew I wanted to do something “big” + important with my life, but it wasn’t until I was 22 and interning at a fashion PR company that I was told that I would have my own company one day — my boss at the time saw it in me. And once he said it, I knew I had to make it happen. Three years later, I did.
What inspired the concept behind Leilani Social? How do you incorporate your passion for supporting women into your business?
Leilani Social started as Leilani Weddings 10 years ago. Our first tagline was “inspired by the sea“ as I was living in Newport Beach at the time and to me that coastal lifestyle represented a carefree, expansive, easy-going, polished approach, which is how I always envisioned my brand. Leilani Social today is a 360 omnichannel planning, design and lifestyle brand serving the modern bride worldwide and we are constantly thinking of new ways to push the envelope and essentially make planning easier and more fun. We have had an internship program since the company’s inception, and have trained dozens of young people, mostly women, who are aspiring to be wedding planners or get into adjacent industries. Many of these young women are now working full time in events and it’s very cool to see. Aside from working with brides, that has been extremely rewarding.
Starting a business can be challenging. What were some of the biggest hurdles you faced when launching Leilani Social, and how did you overcome them?
The question should really be what hurdles did I not face? Only kidding —sort of. I started the business at 26 years old, so in many ways, I have grown into an adult woman, into a business owner, into a boss — all the same time. You learn a lot by working for yourself, especially going all in like I did. When I decided to take the plunge, I left my full-time job (and the nice predictable biweekly paycheck that came with it) to fully embark on this journey of being a business owner, and there’s no way to sugarcoat it — that is hard. Not only has it not been without its challenges, the challenges are frequent, and they evolve as the business grows. I don’t think that ever stops. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
As a business owner who frequently travels, how do you balance your professional commitments with your personal life?
Rule number one when becoming an entrepreneur is this: There is no real work/life balance or separation. Everything I do, effectively, is for the business, the brand, and our clients. Whether it’s attending an event, going to a dinner, or even taking time for self-care, I am always thinking, planning, scheming, writing things down, gaining inspiration, learning, making connections. This is a bold statement but I firmly believe that to really become a master of your craft, you must abandon the notion of clocking in, clocking out, taking a day off…all of this normal“Job” jargon. Your work needs to be your passion. It needs to be a lifestyle where your work and your non-work life are intertwined, or you aren’t going to excel.
What role does creativity play in your work with Leilani Social? How do you stay innovative and fresh in your approach to serving your clients?
I am never not scouting. I attend almost every grand opening that I get invited to. When I travel, I’m constantly taking photos and videos and getting inspired. You can’t just stay in an office all day. You have to get out and see things. Talk to people. Gain new perspectives. Have new experiences.
Could you share a particularly memorable or rewarding experience you've had while working with clients through Leilani Social?
Every happy client, every hug at the end of an event is so priceless so it’s hard to pinpoint one particular experience. Just an overall knowing how much our clients trust and respect us, a knowing that we have built a brand that is pretty well respected (in a very hard industry to excel in). Working with celebrity clients, getting published in magazines and blogs, and being recognized doesn’t hurt either. It just all means a lot.
In moments of self-doubt or uncertainty, what strategies do you use to stay motivated and focused on your goals?
Moments of self doubt and uncertainty are part of the entrepreneurial experience. The good news is, these moments never last for long. They may come often, but they don’t last for long. So my advice is this: Focus. Keep your eyes on the prize. Know that you are building some bigger than yourself. Remember that having haters means you’re doing something right, ha. These mantras are what keep me going. Sunshine, exercise, and wine help too.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those who are passionate about supporting women and promoting empowerment?
Everything is so saturated nowadays, but if you’re passionate about something — just put it out in the universe. Whether it’s art or a motivational speech or a hobby you want to become proficient at — just do it. It’s so important not to sit on talents. Too many people do that. And if you have a burning desire to make this thing your livelihood, figure it out and find a way to make that happen. Quit your cushy job and just go for it. But I’ll be real here — not everyone is going to be cut out for it. I’ve coached some women that thought they wanted to be entrepreneurs but then realized they are more Type B and they’d rather do the clock in and out thing. You won’t know though until you try. If you think it’s going to be easy, it ain’t for you. I had a gal I coached in business who quit once her first three client’s contracts ended. She literally said to me “well, my clients left so I guess that’s it”. That is so not how it works. You gotta work for it. It’s a journey.
How do you envision the future of Leilani Social? Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you're excited about?
My goal has always been the same, but the means by which it will be executed and its breadth has evolved: I want to support as many women across the globe as I can. I think I can do that in a big way by expanding Leilani Social and supporting women during the most important season of their lives: the wedding planning season. We have already expanded to working with brands. We have projects in the works that will help support girls, other planners + entrepreneurs, other women doing their thing. I can’t say too much but we are working on one big project in particular that if all goes well will revolutionize the way weddings are planned, bringing the industry to modernity and making it easier and more fun for everyone involved. We’ll see.
Lastly, what legacy do you hope to leave through your work with Leilani Social, and what impact do you aspire to make in the lives of women and your community?
I was telling a friend the other day that I envision Leilani Social living on as a big corporate company. I see my portrait hanging in the office hallway. I envision women for years to come looking up at the wall and saying “that’s our founder, she was a dreamer”. I definitely think we have the bones to continue to build. I believe we have the potential to be a legacy brand, and continue to be leaders in a really important industry. And I don’t only want to focus on weddings. I want to build in philanthropy and incorporate my first loves of fashion and writing. I want to support first generation college graduates such as myself, and empower women who don’t come from family support, like I did. Lots on the horizon.
https://www.danielleleilani.com
