Name: Dena Marie Patton
Age: 42
Title: Business Coach, author, speaker, and Co-Founder of Girls Rule Foundation
Married/Single: Married 10 years and happy to say we are celebrating in Paris soon!
Kids: 1 amazing, artistic, heart filled daughter who keeps me running! She has a big appetite for food, adventure and art.
City you live in: Ahwatukee
My day is like…
three reality shows put together. I’m usually on the phone with a coaching client by 730am after I get my husband and daughter off for the day, then I always need about 45 minutes of yoga and prayer time in my back garden to center myself. Then I’ll have a few hours of coaching calls, blog/book writing and meetings. Then if I have a speech or Girls Rule event that week I have to prep for that and at 3pm I’m off to pick up my daughter. I often say I’m a stay at home Mom with two growing businesses.
I was born…
(and raised) in Phoenix. St Simon and Jude and Sunnyslope High.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
it has grown into a state that texture. It took a long time but now we have culture, depth, sports, architecture, cool interest, politics, arts, and such a variety of people and conversations going on here. I left in 1994 to live in NYC for 8 years because I wanted those things to be in my life, and I’m happy to see that we now have them!
I’m listening to…
at the moment Yanni because it reminds of my mom. But in general I love listening to JLO, pittbull, Bruno Mars, or anything with a great beat.
My family…
is where I learned all the good, and all the bad habits I have. Thank God I started unlearning the bad habits many years ago. My family and my inlaws are crazy different from each other but both are awesome.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
Jesus and my Mom.
One thing I cannot live without…
daily snuggles from my daughter.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
a Rockette/tap dancer. I was a professional tap dancer for two years but eventually went back to school. Dancing wasn’t a fit, but it was fun!
I’m inspired by…
people who change the world in their own way. I believe it doesn’t matter what role, title, platform or job we have – what matters is if we are using our gifts daily to change the world.
The one person who motivates me is…
Marie Folio.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
improving the education, empowerment and leadership of girls worldwide. That is the work I’m doing through my nonprofit and each day we reach more and more girls.
The perfect day would be…
I would be on a book tour in NYC with a large speaking engagement and I would end the day having the most delicious dinner and spa experience with my husband and daughter.
My first job was…
when I was 15 I worked at Paradise Bakery at Metrocenter. I still eat their dang chipper cookies like I’m 15.
My favorite escape…
locally it would be a weekend at Royal Palms or Omni Montelucia Resort.
My life…
is amazing and blessed! To stand at age 42 and look back on all my failures and mistakes and know that it was all part of the path is reassuring.
I’m currently working on…
finishing my book called Igniting Greatness and launching an after school club for teen girls nationwide (through the Girls Rule Foundation).
Always…
trust your intuition (and the red flags it gives you). It’s always right.
Never…
let fear and doubt rob you of one more day when you have dreams to fulfill.
Favorite Quote…
“One shoe can change your life” – Cinderella
Biggest Dream…
to have both my businesses accomplish my biggest vision for them, while traveling the world and continue to have a great marriage and great kids.
My Pet Peeve(s)…
people who complain and take no action. Oh, and hangers I wish there was some other way to hang clothes. Hangers and I don’t get along.
