Inspiring Women to Rise, Lead, and Overcome Obstacles
My mission is to help women break barriers, own their voice, and lead with purpose, no matter what they’ve faced.
Hi, I'm Dana
A speaker, entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s empowerment. Whether I’m on stage or behind a mic, I share my story of trauma to a thriving business owner because I’m especially passionate about helping women break free from the limits placed on them—by others or by themselves—and step boldly into who they are, even in the face of adversity.
signature topics
Building Resilience & Breaking Barriers
From surviving trauma to thriving as a business leader, my journey is a testament to the human spirit's incredible capacity for resilience. I share my story to inspire others to overcome challenges, break free from limiting beliefs, and live a life of purpose
Building A Successful Business In A Male Dominated Industry
As a pioneering woman in a male-dominated industry, I’ve built a successful business while championing inclusivity and creating a more equitable workplace for women. Now, I share my expertise to help other organizations foster a culture of respect, diversity, and opportunity.
Building Confidence & Speaking Your Truth
My mission is to empower women to find their voice, step into their truth, and be heard. Learn how to overcome self-doubt, build unshakeable confidence, and make your voice heard in the workplace and beyond.
Breaking Barriers & Building Confidence w/ Dana Day
Christy Pennison
What if the key to building unshakable confidence is found in the moments you feel most uncertain?
In this episode, host Christy Pennison welcomes general contractor Dana Day for an inspiring and down-to-earth conversation about resilience, reinvention, and rising above expectations. After a disappointing experience with her own builder, Dana took matters into her own hands—literally—and stepped into the world of construction. Now, with over 20 years of experience and features on HGTV and GC Magazine, she’s leading projects, teams, and change in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Dana opens up about the challenges she’s faced along the way, how she’s learned to lead with clarity and compassion, and why embracing hard moments with grace has shaped her success.
Together, they dive into:
- What it means to thrive in a nontraditional field
- How to lead diverse teams with both confidence and heart
- The lessons learned through failure, and the strength that follows
- The role of self-grace and mindset in entrepreneurship and beyond
Whether you’re dreaming of starting something new, facing a professional pivot, or just need a reminder that you’re capable of more than you think—this episode will leave you feeling encouraged and empowered.
Tune in and get inspired—because sometimes our greatest detours lead to the most meaningful destinations. And Dana’s story is proof that it’s always possible to build a life you love.
For more information on this episode, visit christypennison.com/breaking-barriers-building-confidence
When the Blueprint changes
Tracy Spears
In this inspiring episode, Tracy sits down with Dana Day, a Tulsa-based custom home builder, remodeler, and HGTV alum. With a background in psychology and art, Dana shares how she carved a unique path into the male-dominated construction industry—and how creativity, grit, and heart have shaped both her work and her life.
Dana opens up about her experience as the only woman featured on HGTV’s Build It Forward, the realities of running a remodeling business, and the lessons she’s learned about setting expectations and maintaining accountability. But the conversation goes far deeper than blueprints and budgets. Dana reveals how devastating personal loss, financial setbacks, and moments of reinvention taught her the value of resilience, vulnerability, and the healing power of storytelling.
Together, Tracy and Dana explore how purpose can rise from pain—and how creativity and compassion can build more than just homes.
Key Takeaways:
- Resilience is something you build—like a house—one intentional step at a time.
- Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s a bridge to connection and healing.
- Women can (and do) thrive in male-dominated spaces, especially when they show up authentically.
- Realistic expectations are the foundation of any successful project—professional or personal.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dana Day
02:15 Dana’s Journey into Building
05:02 Challenges in the Remodeling Industry
07:58 The HGTV Experience
10:40 Navigating a Male-Dominated Field
13:32 Personal Shifts and Life Challenges
25:05 Overcoming Adversity: A Journey of Resilience
28:57 The Power of Perseverance and Stress Management
35:01 Creative Expression and Future Aspirations
35:53 The Impact of Vulnerability and Sharing Stories
Guest Bio
Dana Day has been exceeding homeowner’s expectations for over 20 years as a builder / designer / remodeler in the Tulsa area. Her commitment to excellence becomes obvious when you step into one of Dana’s homes and see her attention to detail, “wow” factors and quality. Dana exemplifies luxurious design with practical consideration. She elevates your home with personalized features you never knew you wanted. Her homes deliver a livable luxury that you do not want to live without.
Dana understands how overwhelming building or remodeling a home can be. With her design expertise, she assists with every design decision from concept to creation, which contributes to staying on budget and on time. Dana’s commitment to quality craftsmanship, flow of the home, and unique designs, surpasses her clients expectations.
The Power of Sharing Stories: A Conversation with Dana Day
Sue Anderson
In this episode of Growth from Grief, host Sue speaks with Dana Day, a builder and remodeler, about her journey through grief after the loss of her sister. They discuss the importance of sharing stories, the impact of mental health, and the role of faith in healing. Dana shares her personal experiences with guilt and regret, the healing power of social media, and her journey in the construction industry as a woman. The conversation also touches on the significance of community support and Dana's exciting experience with HGTV. Takeaways -Sharing stories helps others feel less alone. -Mental health struggles can affect anyone, regardless of success. -Guilt and regret are common feelings after a loss. -Social media can be a powerful tool for healing. -It's important to seek help and support during tough times. -Crying is a natural and healthy expression of grief. -Finding a supportive community is crucial for healing. -Faith can provide comfort and strength during difficult times. -Getting back up after a loss looks different for everyone.
Podcast: 2 Part episode with dana day
Living Her Passion As A Home Builder
Episode 175 with Dana Day is now available! Dana is the owner of Dana Build and Design in Tulsa. She’s an incredible person who is very passionate about what she does, which is evidenced throughout her 20-plus-year career, including being selected to appear in a series on HGTV, winning numerous accolades, and more. I want to preface this episode by letting you know that this will be a two-part episode. During this visit, she’ll share insight into what led her to change careers and jump into this industry, what she enjoys about it (hint: it has to do with the challenges), and the stigma of being a female in a male-dominated business. However, she also has a purpose that is very important to her and wants to share it with others. It involves the loss of her sister, Leslie, to suicide. She will share a little about this at the end of the podcast and will go into more depth in part two of this interview. Stick around to get to know Dana and her talent for working with clients to create custom projects that are on budget and on time. Then, learn more about the backstory of her sister and the event that shook Dana to her core. I was so honored that she shared this, as I know it’s going to be helpful for others to hear her words.
Reconstructing Life After Her Sister's Death By Suicide
This is the second part of the two part episode about Dana Day, Owner of Dana Build and Design. In the first episode, Dana shared about her passion for working as a builder, what she enjoys, how it’s challenging and explains the series she was selected to appear in for HGTV.
This episode moves on to her purpose about destigmatizing talk about suicide by opening up. Dana lost her younger sister, Leslie, to suicide and it shook Dana to her core. During this conversation, she shares more about the feelings she dealt with, how she processed those and how posting on social media ended up saving three people from taking their own lives.
This is just the beginning for Dana as she is looking to fight the silence of those struggling with suicidal thoughts and let them know there is hope. She is looking to use this unimaginable tragedy for good.
HGTV Build it Forward
HGTV Build it Forward
Best General Contractor in Oklahoma Article
How To Renovate Your Home With Timeless Style
Contact Me
Dana Day
Dana Build and Design
Builder/Remodeler/Designer
