Meet Mary Daniels-Walls | Featured Leather Jewelry Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Daniels-Walls and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Work life balance allows your business to flow fairly smooth or even at a higher level towards success. What I’ve accepted for myself had to be created in the beginning of my journey in entrepreneurship. Did it run smoothly? Was every plan and schedule allowing for progression? No! Despite my efforts to stay balanced with my time and energy professionally and personal I honestly failed by the wayside several times. Sometimes our intentions to remain constructive isn’t always going to cause production. Mentally I would feel ok but physically I was not, that was a spoiler. I was persistent on balancing my personal life from dampening the love I had to design and create beautiful, handcrafted jewelry art. How would I balance rightful feelings of discouragement when suddenly I suffered a Retina Stroke disabling me from seeing my tools including my machine needles. Unknowingly to many my health has days of immobility and other complications from Lupus and a Chronic Lung Disease. I don’t discuss my struggles and experiences publicly often, but I do acknowledge them as a special part of my unique journey balancing every step as an entrepreneur and not wallowing in stagnant excuses. The important focus for me is to stay balanced by continuously planning my days according to my circumstances. Also reminding myself that I built my brand ChokeHerSkins with a balanced view of success and what may come along with unexpected happenings.

Staying in tune and in sync with my journey and not expecting business to be like this person to my left or right keeps me balanced and content with what I’ve accomplished. Balancing my daily life keeps my business plans on track and for any weaknesses I’m experiencing too often I can pull stronger ideas that regulate my scheduling while designing these beautifully crafted jewelry pieces and products. Balance for myself and ChokeHerSkins mean putting a time factor on my project and not allowing fatigue to cause unnecessary mistakes and lack of enjoyment. Also taking time out to eat a well-balanced meal along with small snacks to keep my focus fresh and attentive while building and expanding myself as a satisfied businesswoman. Balance is definitely part of the equation and solution as a productive creative artist.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art brand is called ChokeHerSkins she has been a joy creating and building for several years now. I’m a homebased business that is recognized both local and globally. My vision is very transparent when explaining to my audience what my goal is while designing, that no one experience the same look or style with my leather jewelry collections and beyond while creating handcrafted artwork. My leather pieces or collections are never duplicated by color or design no matter the pressure, this is what defines my uniqueness as a jewelry designer.

I’m so excited about what I can contribute to my community and organizations. Every year I reached out to organizations with causes of Awareness. This year I was touched to know my ‘Purple Butterfly’ leather art design was given to a Domestic Violence Recipient/Survivor! Also, the Breast Cancer Awareness month allowed me to get even more personal for my friend who fought cancer with a vengeance to conquer her battle. Knowing she’s been a limitless supporter and businesswoman herself made this moment so up close and personal knowing everyday she’s not giving up but fighting daily along with her support group to survive and be productive even through pain! I’m so proud of my friend and to share my gift by wrapping warm feelings mixed with beauty and expressive styling on her spirit was satisfying.

Once again, a reminder to myself to continue fighting for durable health and keeping my business balanced daily. Being professional to me in business means more than the profit and recognition. Personal comes first in my files of business content. Moving accordingly if any of my health issues start to wear me down or out for awhile will always ring my bell to yield for healing. Suffering from Interstitial Lung Disease and Lupus demands consistent care and a stress-free business relationship while taking hold of my creative art brand. A relatable diet and light exercise work for me personally. Just know that my brand is consistently evolving and I’m building healthy and constructive relationships along the way. My story is a positive and happy one for ChokeHerSkins. I know it’s more than my own power in which I’m able to carry on in my journey as a Leather Jewelry Designer but from the original Creator Jehovah who gave me this one-of-a-kind gift.

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.
It’s always a joy and good time when I have my close circle of friends visit. Over time I’ve built some everlasting friendships. Never too busy for those who genuinely love and support me. Especially since the intensity of staying safe has changed visits are not as frequent. My favorite place to have a good breakfast and a smooth cup of Joe would be Annas House here in Westland, Michigan. I love a good place to see and sit amongst nature Belle Isle Conservancy in Detroit Michigan on Belle Island provides a sense of thankfulness for all the variety of greenery and living things that naturally beautifies our Earth by the first Creator of all things. Who can compare? A good cocktail? At home we love to make a signature drink and stay in a safe place to enjoy cocktails and good conversation. My friends commend me on my journey as a featured artist and share the buzz from admirers in their area and while traveling or at an event seeing my ChokeHerSkins designs being worn. I’m always grateful and humbled.

Michigan is full of beautiful places and people. Upper Michigan, Higgins Lake and Traverse City or shall we say wine country with cherry goodness is a great spot to do a weekend or more visit. Checking out various spots even for the first time are exciting. But the most interesting, exciting places for me are with my family and closest friends. Sharing fleeting moments and creating new memories. Sharing a meal, drink and life stories are satisfying with my special visitors. Hearing new plans and visions that are so clear, you want to help them Bloom!! Sitting with other business driven people who understand that balancing life isn’t always easy but POSSIBLE with persistence and prayer. Read my story and follow my journeys I’m sure you will be convinced that being an entrepreneur is Amazing!

-MaryD

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?
The Shoutout series is definitely a positive vibe it allows encouraging, motivational feelings and thoughts of others. To be publicly acknowledged as making someone’s journey, vision or day better a heartfelt Shoutout is one way to say it aloud. I’m not taking anything away from what I inherited for myself through dedicated work and hours of consistency when it comes to mentioning or giving thanks to my supporters, those on my team and other businesses. Who wouldn’t like beauty and compassion, dedication and other uplighting acts recognized by the very people you follow and support faithfully. This to me would be a mate to selfishness and an unkind disposition. So many times, I felt overwhelmed with juggling my health and business ventures even sitting back ready to call it a day or give up, but this can’t be the outcome. Then an unexpected message or call from my ChokeHerSkins Brand Ambassador Shandera comes right on time or my business coach and friend Natasha Lee CEO of ThatGirl Corporation who’s always available for a consultation or productive advice to help my business concerns at the moment. I’m so thankful for all the wonderful words of encouragement and reminders that I’ve succeeded in making an impact with so many people creating and providing unique craftsmanship using leather and complimentary fabrics. So, to give a Shoutout or two shows first how appreciative I am to humbly accept the respect and recognition shown towards my brand ChokeHerSkins.

Trying to jam every name or organization who support my business may cause a calculated rampage of emotions so I will start where and to whom I most grateful for in my life journey as a productive businesswoman. My utmost Shoutout goes to My FAMILY! From the beginnings of expressing my desire to go public using the various platforms of social media with my private business creating leather ChokeHers ,HipHERs, ChestHers and Cuffs their reactions were hopeful and sincere. They never doubted my ability to grow with a bigger audience and to share my positive message that everyone should feel UNIQUELY beautiful with artwork wrapped around all skin tones and cater to each clients individual DNA! As I grow and clarify my ability to create and contribute towards accessorizing women and men, the importance of SELF-LOVE but UNSELFISH love is expressed with my meaningful Shoutouts.

Website: www.chokeherskins.com

Instagram: IG- @chokeherskins

Linkedin: Mary Daniels

Facebook: FB- @chokeherskins

Linktree: link.tree/chokeherskins 

Image Credits
Shandera Dawson- Chokeherskins Brand Ambassador Dannielle Williams – Breast Cancer Warrior