While the idea of a hometown is relatively straightforward for most, Danielle Hamblett has a more complex sense of it. Growing up, her family relocated several times and crossed continents. Thankfully, having a close relationship with her siblings and an encouraging stepmother provided some emotional continuity when geography got in the way. Her rolling stone gathers no moss childhood formed Mrs. Hamblett into the determined instructor and businesswoman she is today.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Danielle would not be a permanent resident. Her father worked for a company called AAFES, an organization that helps run facilities on military bases. The job required the family to move several times, including Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and even Japan! Moving to a country unknown to them came with a culture shock.“ The Japanese were ahead of us in technology. This was new to me at the time, but they had a vending machine with ice cream. It was cutting edge. Here in the states, it was just soda machines and old school vending machines that gave Cheez-Its,” Hamblett says. During her stay in Japan, she took up Karate with two of her brothers and ended up outlasting them.“ I remember my stepmom saying you know what? They couldn’t hack it, but you’re still in there and you’re a girl,” she says. All her life, her stepmother always encouraged her that she could do whatever boys could do. “ There was a lot of gender talk growing up. I didn’t think that was unique. I thought everybody was raised to think I can do whatever I want. I can do whatever boys could do.” This mindset propelled her to the accomplishments that she has achieved today.
After leaving Japan, the family settled in Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana. Her family moved off again, but Danielle stayed in Louisiana to attend college at LSU-Shreveport. Upon meeting her husband, she transferred to the University of Texas A&M- Texarkana (TAMUT) to finish her bachelor’s. She majored in Mass Communications and finished her master’s degree in 2015. She is currently an adjunct instructor at TAMUT teaching PR/Advertising. Reflecting upon her reason for teaching she said, “ I like being a part of the university community. I like staying in the know about what’s happening and hopefully helping touch students’ lives.”
Not only is she a TAMUT instructor, but also a businesswoman. Danielle is Co-Founder of a Texarkana, Texas digital marketing agency, For All BrandKind. Her business partner is Co-Founder Traci Pitman. The business started slowly over 5-6 years with freelance work. In 2015, Danielle and Traci taught a class at Texarkana College about getting businesses to use social media to help promote their companies A student approached them asking for help to run their social media. It was the catalyst that launched their business forward. Currently, they have a storefront where they can accept clients and create branding while guiding them through the use of social media. Reflecting on what she is most proud of she said, “Just starting a business. I didn’t have a plan. I am proud of myself for stepping out there. It takes guts and I’m proud of that.”