Meet Danielle Burns Wilson | Art Curator & Co-Founder Quality Random LLC.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle Burns Wilson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Work Like Balance is essential. My husband and I were so caught in the daily rat race we didn’t realize our Work Life Balance was nonexistent until the pandemic. Admittedly, that was a game changer. We had to assess, both home and work life, and recalibrate. On top of being a mom and wife, I started Quality Random, LLC. with my brother while still working full-time. It meant waking up early but always ending the day on the rooftop or porch for happy hour. As things begin to open up, and we find our new normal, it’s always with the intent to continue what we started in 2020. So far so good.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
It’s a bit long so please edit as you see fit.

Introducing… Quality Random LLC. We create products for modern families that value aesthetics and the importance of their lives beyond parenthood. Earlier this year we launched our first product; Cheers To You Baby: Celebrating Baby’s Milestones One Glass At A Time Milestone Journal. The journal is a unique take on the traditional baby journal. It, of course, recognizes the random occurrences and milestones babies will have, but it also encourages parents to celebrate themselves and their experiences as the parents of a newborn. With witty poems, funny quotes, adhesive wine labels, and space to document their celebrations. It is that reminder to all mamas, we need self-care and also celebrate ourselves as we navigate newborn parenthood.

Why Cheers To You Baby:

I love growing up in big family and always wanted to have my own one day. At forty, I found myself celebrating my two-year wedding anniversary with a baby boy on the way. Besides the occasional “bad preggers day” I enjoyed the nine months of body changes, early bedtimes and baby kicks.

When our son was boy, my husband and I felt excited, terrified and complete. I was adjusting to my new role as mommy and for most it seemed like I finally got what I wanted but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.

As my social life became less of a priority, it wasn’t long before I began to mourn my former life of brunch with girlfriends, art exhibition openings, spontaneous trips out of town, and date nights with my husband. In actuality my life was complete and whole before parenthood and now it felt like I have to choose between the two. But why?

I was never clinically diagnosed with post-partum but I absolutely had symptoms.

The only time I felt some semblance of normalcy is when my girlfriends would visit. Always with good stories and a great bottle of Rose, I’d tell them of my new mommy adventures, the milestones my son was making(and the ones he wasn’t). They would assure me not to worry – he would eventually get there and he did. Those visits brought me back to life; just the continuity in those special moments with “my girl crush crew”. I only have a few photos and regret not documenting more.

Somethings do have to change with motherhood but not everything. It’s important to remember not to lose yourself. If I could do it all over again and had a chance to rewrite that part of my life, I’d keep a book not only to document those memories for my child but also to continue to create memories for myself. That’s is where Cheers To You Baby was born. My biggest hope ist hat if you are feeling some of that despair(or you know a new mommy you suspect is experiencing these feelings) that this book sparks the motivation to raise a glass and Cheers! To new beginnings knowing you have not lost yourself…or those closest to you.

It doesn’t matter what’s in your glass. As long as you raise it. CHEERS!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Places:

Memorial Park
Allen Parkway
3rd Ward
5th Ward
4th Ward (Freedmen’s Town)
The African American Library at the Gregory School
The University Museum at Texas Southern University
Buffalo Soldier Museum
The DeLuxe Theater
Community Artist Collective
The Contemporary Art Museum, Houston.
Houston Museum of African American Culture
Alabama Gardens
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Menil Collection

Eat & Drinks

Lucilles, Breakfast Klub, Kulture, Throughgood Coffee, Crumbville, TX, Davis St., Gatlin’s BBQ, Waters Edge Winery & Bistro (not in Houston proper but worth the drive)

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate this Shoutout to my brother and business partner, Stafford Henri Burns III. He’s a great big brother who always comes from a place of love and encouragement. XO. Cheers!

Website: www.cheerstoyoubaby.com

Instagram: @cheerstoyoubaby

Linkedin: Quality Random LLC

Twitter: @cheerstoyoubaby

Facebook: Cheers To You Baby

Other: TikTok: CheersToYouBaby