This past week was an emotional doozy for a myriad of reasons and challenges. @whitakr.com and I stopped in Michigan and found this tree we carved in 2021 during one of the most challenging and arguably formative years of my life. It felt so meaningful to see it again.

My sweet soul dog Chester had a stroke this week. He was totally unable to stand/walk and is already starting to get a lil more mobile (he can sort of do both now but very wobbly). He starts PT next week.

We thought we were going to lose him. I'm so grateful he's still here but it's been so hard.

Thanks to everyone who came to my talk with @derek-lieu.com about game festivals & panel w/ @merryh.bsky.social & @sarahpodz.bsky.social (we missed you @kimchica.bsky.social) about competitive analysis & targeted marketing. Lucky to get to collab w/ such great people and grateful to all who came!

Just another day...

Welp...this is bad.

Starting 2025 with a burn...I guess.

Hoping everyone stays safe.

It's @whitakr.bsky.social birthday today! He just so happens to be my favorite human in the whole wide world. Everyone should be so lucky to have someone like him in their life and I'm so lucky to get to spend mine with him! <3

Wish him a happy birthday!!

My dogs, who lived in Chicago for the first 13 & 9 years of their lives, have been shivering in LA after their very short haircut. They've lost their grit. So...they now have cashmere sweaters. I'm not sure who is more ridiculous...me or them (the answer could be both)

One year ago we bought our place. We only moved in in late spring (hello remediation and renovation etc.) but it's been so nice to feel like I have a bit of a home base for a minute & a fun creative outlet for me. Still a very much WIP and I can't say it feels like home yet but it's starting to.

A lot of new followers so time for an intro! Hey- I'm Dana!

-I run Spoke & Wheel Strategy doing marketing, brand strategy & PR
-Paris is my happy place
-I'm a musical theatre nerd
-Newish to LA but Chicago feels like home
-Love travel & interior design
-I have 2 goldendoodles & an amazing partner

In case anyone was wondering what a new HVAC coming in from a crane looked like...

This is my Monday. How's yours?

This fall has been pure garbage. Even my smoothie decided to mock me this morning with a smiley face.

We are in the middle of reno on our townhouse and moving in less than 3 weeks. After having 4 addresses in the last 3 years, having a home that is my own again will feel really unfamiliar. The reno process has been rewarding but SO much work. Here's a sneak peak of my nifty fireplace almost done

After longer than I'd like to admit, Spoke & Wheel has a spiffy new logo and landing page. Both a labor of love and a lot of hard work: www.spokeandwheelstrategy.com