Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in the area?
I am originally from Bernardsville, NJ. After college I lived in NYC for 10 years, LA for 2 years, and then my husband and I moved to Bernardsville in 2019.
Child(ren) and Age(s)?
A son who will be 2 years old in November and a second coming at the end of November!
Are you involved in a business venture or corporate world? Please Share!
Yes! I am a certified pediatric sleep counselor, for babies and toddlers ages 4M to 4 years old, and founder of They Sleep, We Sleep. As an expert in healthy sleep habits and techniques, I support parents by establishing a sleep plan that is customized for their child’s personality and temperament, but one that also works for the entire family.
When did you decide you wanted to become a professional sleep consultant?
They Sleep, We Sleep was born in the fall of 2021, when I realized that yes, your child needs sleep, but we as parents also need sleep in order to be the best versions of ourselves. I was slightly scarred by stories of infants waking every hour, toddlers climbing into bed with their parents at 2 in the morning, or an 18 month old who woke at 5 AM every day because “that’s just the way they are”. That was going to be a hard pass for me. After having our son, I read all the books, searched the internet and scrolled through instagram for any tips and tricks that would help get my baby to sleep. But I always had follow up questions. As a result, my family worked with an amazing sleep consultant when our son was 3 ½ months old and the experience was transformative. It was after a few weeks of sleeping like we slept before the baby, that the idea of They Sleep, We Sleep started to take root. I wanted to help empower others to get back to the best version of themselves–as a parent, a partner, a colleague, a friend–that starts
by everyone getting the sleep they need.
Has helping parents always been a part of your life?
No, not directly. I spent 12 years as a Major Gifts Fundraiser working for premier academic medical institutions, in both New York City and Los Angeles.
If you could give one tip to fellow Mom Entrepreneurs what would it be?
Try your best to go outside your comfort zone. Tell anyone and everyone what you are doing. You can start small, but you never know where your next lead may come from.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I spent my junior semester abroad in Kenya!
Ok 10 Fun LOCAL favorites – ready, go!
1 – Favorite thing to do with your kids? Go to the beach!
2 – Favorite coffee spot? Starbucks in Bernardsville
3 – Favorite lunch place? South + Pine in Morristown
4 – Favorite farm to go fruit picking? Wightman Farms in Morristown
5 – Favorite date night restaurant? Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen in Morristown
6 – Favorite boutique? F. Gerald New in Morristown
7 – Favorite spot to grab a drink? Ninety Acres in Peapack-Gladstone
8 – Who has the best bagels in town? Bagel Bin in Bernardsville
9 – Best slice of pizza in town? Dominick’s in Gladstone
10 – Favorite spot for ice cream? Penguin Ice Cream in Bernardsville
This interview was done in partnership with They Sleep, We Sleep. Be sure to follow Dana on social media below:
