Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Danus.
Hi Monica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Minnesota, going to high school locally, and then on to the University of St. Thomas for my undergrad in Marketing. For the majority of my adulthood, I have been living in the Twin Cities, working at various digital marketing agencies, and seeing friends and family on the weekends. Living the life of a typical young professional in the area. However, shortly before being cast on Love is Blind, my life took a turn.
It started when I decided not to renew my lease in the city, and move home for a month or two to figure out my next move. During this short time, my job became incredibly toxic and we discovered that my grandma had alzheimer’s and needed immediate at home care. In the span of a week, I left my job and became my grandparent’s at home caretaker. During this time, I was helping during the nightshift at my grandparents, so I would stay up during the night, get up with my grandma, make sure she didn’t wonder, and then sleep during the day. I did this for about 5 months. I have a new found respect for any caretaker, especially if it is for a loved one. It was the hardest job I have ever had, but I am so thankful I was able to be there for my family.
During this time, I was auditioning for Love is Blind. I thought it was a complete long shot that they would take me, but I had been single for years, giving up on trying to find my person. I thought, why not try something crazy, it just might work! So, I continued the process until one day they called and told me I was cast to be on season 8. I was incredibly excited, but also nervous, both for leaving my family for filming, as well as trying to date knowing the state my life was in. Regardless, I took a chance and accepted the opportunity.
While filming, I was very honest about where I was at in my life, with all of the men I was talking to. I want to be with someone that understands my commitment to my family and appreciates the sacrifices I made to be there for them. In the pods, I thought I had found someone that truly understood my situation and viewed it as a positive attribute, given the conversations we had had. So I was incredibly disappointed when that wasn’t the case.
During filming, I was not only trying to strengthen the connection with a potential partner, I was also working on getting my life back in order. I was interviewing for jobs, looking for apartments and planning my future. During the final days of filming, I was offered a position at an amazing company, where I still work at to this day. I then signed a lease to my favorite apartment to date. I may not have left the show with a partner, but I left with a stronger sense of self and clearer vision of what I want (and don’t want) in my future, and I wouldn’t want it any other way!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wish I could put into words how bumpy the road has been been for me! It continues to be bumpy, but the lessons I have learned along the way are priceless.
Some of the most notable struggles that I face relate to trying to find the “new normal” after the show. It is not something you can prepare for, and there is no guidebook. Love is Blind has a way of making you take a good, long look at yourself and process your past, future, who you are, who you want to be, who you want to be with, etc. It is like a six week therapy session on steroids! Now add in cameras and the world’s opinions on your actions and overall person, it was not an easy road to go down, and is still challenging now in the aftermath.
However, growth is never easy, or comfortable. As hard as the experiment was, I learned so much about myself and my values, and was able to find my strength, and my voice.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In my professional life, I work as an Associate Manager at a Fortune 500 company based here in Minnesota. What makes my job unique, however, is I am currently a contractor for the company. Meaning, when there is a maternity leave, sabbatical, etc, in the company, I am pulled in to cover that role and various projects. The roles I cover are in the Marketing realm, usually in the Marketing Strategy and/or Account Management space. I have a background in all digital and traditional marketing channels as well as Project and Account Management roles, so I am equip to jump into a lot of different positions and get up to speed quickly.
I love the flexibility contract type roles give me, as well as the exposure to different teams and projects. Contracts are usually 6 months at a time, but I am able to take time off to travel in between if I chose, or focus on any side businesses or projects I may have.
Aside from my 9-5 job, I have started to get more into social media marketing for myself. After being on the show, a lot of doors have opened up for me to start exploring my own digital marketing work. Knowing my background in marketing, it has been really rewarding for me to take what I have learned over the years and experiment with my own channels. I also think seeing the promotional process on my personal accounts has helped me get a better understanding of the digital climate for larger brands I work for at my corporate job.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The qualities I find most important for my success are being driven, consistency, and the ability to connect with people.
I’ve always been very driven in my life. For me that means when I get something in my head, I don’t stop until I accomplish it and putting in the work needed to achieve that given outcome. This trait also goes hand in hand with being consistent. Success doesn’t just happen, especially not on the first try. If something is worth doing, you have to put in the work and show up everyday to make it happen.
Finally, I’ve always loved connecting with people, hearing their stories and finding common ground and connections in our lives. As I get older, I’m finding that community is so important, and so much of my success has come with the help and support from others. Whether it be networking, or reaching out to a friend about an opportunity, or simply asking a loved one for help when you need some support, I owe so much of any success I may have, to the people who have been there for me over the years.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.monicadanus/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-dan%C3%BAs/
