Dana’s Desk: Sustainable Business Growth

Please share a brief introduction and tell us something about your business, Dana’s Desk:

I’m Dana Bahr, the founder of Dana’s Desk. I work as a Pinterest-led Organic Growth Consultant and Fractional CMO for established, service-based businesses. My work centers on helping founders move from reactive visibility to intentional, long-range growth by understanding patterns in audience behavior, search intent, and decision-making. I don’t focus on tactics or trends; I help business owners create clarity so their visibility compounds instead of constantly resetting.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Not always. I knew I wanted autonomy and meaningful work, but entrepreneurship became the path when I realized I could build something that aligned with how I think (strategic, thoughtful, and systems-driven) while supporting a life that values sustainability over burnout.

Do you have a co-founder?

I don’t have a co-founder. I prioritize strategic partnerships built on shared philosophy, trust, and complementary strengths rather than formal business ownership.

Are you a mamaprenista?

Yes. My biggest piece of advice is to stop trying to optimize every moment. Some seasons are about growth, others are about maintenance, and both matter. Building a business that supports your family means honoring flexibility, not fighting it.

Take us back to when you launched Dana’s Desk? What was your marketing strategy?

When I first launched, my strategy was largely relationship-based and organic. I relied on referrals, visibility through platforms like Facebook, and showing up consistently with thoughtful content. While it evolved over time, that foundation taught me the power of long-term visibility over quick wins, which is a lesson that still shapes my work today.

What accomplishments are you most proud of to date in your business?

I’m most proud of building a business that attracts clients through clarity and trust, not urgency. Being known for strategic thinking and for helping founders feel grounded and confident in their decisions matters more to me than any single metric.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

You don’t need to earn your rest or your clarity. Slowing down to make better decisions isn’t a setback; it’s often the reason growth becomes possible.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

I ask: “How do you decide what matters when everything feels important?”

It reveals how someone thinks, prioritizes, and handles ambiguity.

Hiring tip: Hire for judgment and communication before skills. Skills can be taught; discernment can’t.

What did you do before starting your own business?

Before starting Dana’s Desk, I worked in operations, event management, and behind-the-scenes support for sports event management companies. That experience gave me a front-row seat to how businesses actually function and where marketing breaks down, where systems fail, and where decision fatigue sets in. It shaped my ability to think strategically across visibility, operations, and growth.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I saw a gap between what entrepreneurs were being taught and what they actually needed. Many were doing “everything right” but still felt overwhelmed and unsure what was working. I wanted to build a business rooted in clarity, restraint, and sustainable growth, not constant urgency or performative visibility.

Do you have any recent wins?

Over the past year, I’ve deepened my role as a strategic partner for clients, expanded my thought leadership through my podcast The Unapologetic Pinner, and developed original research projects like my Pinterest trend reporting, all while maintaining a sustainable pace.

What's one app on your phone that you cannot live without?

The Kindle app. It allows me to read in small pockets of time, especially during car line or in-between moments, which helps me stay grounded and inspired without needing long stretches of uninterrupted time.

Who are Dana’s Desk customers?

My clients are established service-based business owners, creatives, and educators who already have traction but feel stuck in reactive marketing cycles. They’re experienced, thoughtful, and growth-minded, and they want fewer, better decisions rather than more content, platforms, or noise.

What's your top productivity tip?

I make decisions before I take action. Most “productivity issues” are really decision overload. When I’m clear on what matters for the quarter, it becomes much easier to ignore distractions and focus on execution. Fewer priorities lead to better momentum.

What's your favorite business tool?

Pinterest. It’s one of the few platforms where content compounds over time instead of disappearing in 24 hours. It supports long-term visibility and allows businesses to be found when people are actively searching, not just scrolling.

What's your approach to work-life balance?

I think in seasons rather than perfect balance. Some weeks require more focus at work, others require more presence at home. The goal is integration that supports the whole picture, not rigid boundaries that create more pressure.

How do you avoid burnout?

I don’t treat burnout as a time-management problem. I treat it as a signal problem. When I feel depleted, it’s usually because I’m saying yes to things that don’t align long-term. Regularly revisiting my priorities and protecting my energy helps me stay sustainable.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Build for sustainability before scale. You don’t need to do everything or be everywhere. Focus on clarity, trust your judgment, and give yourself permission to grow at a pace that supports the life you’re building, not just the business.

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