Meet the Maker Monday: Dai of La Rue Madeleine

Happy Monday! I'm back with another installment of my "Meet the Maker" series. Today I'm introducing you to  Dai of La Rue Madeleine. 

I first met Dai through this awesome group that I'm a part of called Orange County Makers, which is this wonderful online community for local makers! She is seriously one of the sweetest people I have ever met in my life. She is so warm and welcoming and her desire to uplift and motivate, especially other girl bosses is so wonderfully amazing. 

Tell me a little bit about yourself. 

Hi, I'm Dai. I was born in Cuba and came here when I was 7. I was born super poor, but extremely lucky. As my mom would say, I had an angel watching over me. I never felt poor, but there were days I distinctly remember being hungry. I would go to my mom and say I was hungry and she would give me the only thing we had to eat, water with a little sugar in it. But like I say, I'm was incredibly lucky. My grandfather lived in California and after 10 years of trying to bring us to live with him, it finally happened. I turned 7 and had to leave my entire life behind. I took my mother's hand and I was ready to face this brave new world. I don't tell you this so you feel sad or anything, it's so that you see how my earliest memories have affected the person I have become. Since we got to California I have always strived to do better and be better. My pain as a child served to help me realize how much I wanted to help others. 

What is it that you make and how did you get started?

After what felt like a gazillion years of starting and leaving different businesses I finally realized what it was that I could throw my whole self into: a charity business. That's when I started the La Rue Madeleine Store on Etsy making something I use and love- notebooks, and giving half my proceeds to a charity that builds schools for girls in Africa called One Girl Can. I absolutely love it & I hope you get a chance to check it out! 

Loves: totally in love with unicorns right now, but honestly I don't think I will ever stop loving writing and journals. 

Hates: fish 

Any Guilty Pleasures: crepes 

Cocktail of choice: mimosa and pina coladas all day, every day. 

What advice to you have for fellow makers? Be obsessed. If you're not obsessed with what you're doing there's a high possibility that you're not going to be doing it very long. Take it from someone who has done and failed at many things. 

Thank you Dai for being a part of this Meet the Maker series! Seriously, how inspiring is she??

Be sure to check her out on Blog // Instagram // Etsy