How the Co-Founder of I Am a Voter Mandana Dayani Starts Her Mornings
Two cups of coffee are mandatory.
Photo: Courtesy of Mandana Dayani
Welcome to our monthly editorial series A Day in the Life where we ask successful women we admire to share the daily minutiae of their professional lives, from the rituals that set them up for success to their evening wind-down routines. This month, we chatted with Mandana Dayani, the creator and co-founder of I am a voter., on how she tackles her never-ending inbox, sets work-life boundaries, and unwinds at the end of the day with President Bartlett and the rest of the cast of “The West Wing.”
Tell us a bit about I am a voter. and what inspired you to launch this initiative.
I am a voter. is a nonpartisan civic engagement movement that I founded with some of the most brilliant women I have ever known. As an immigrant, I have always felt incredibly privileged to be an American, and I was really heartbroken seeing our country so divided the last few years.
After making the decision to just dive in and learn what I could do to help, I quickly saw that there was an opportunity for a modern voting brand that really spoke to our generation. One that was positive, empowering, captured how cool it is to be an active participant, and more focused on what unites us. And I knew that if I could get these incredibly talented and inspiring women together in a room we could build a meaningful message and leverage our relationships and skills to create true impact.
After doing lots of research, I learned that identity was an important predictor of voter turnout, which is where the name came from. From there, we all leaned on our skills and networks to create as much impact as possible.
You’re also the co-host of the podcast "The Dissenters" alongside Debra Messing. What compelled you to start this podcast and what do you hope people take away from it?
Debra Messing and I have been activists for most of our lives and we wanted to learn about the people that inspired our own journeys. When we got the idea to start “The Dissenters” all we wanted to do was inspire people to get off of the sidelines. We thought that if we could share the amazing stories and journeys of these people, we could empower others to find their purpose and passion.
Over the course of our activism, we have both met countless people who were afraid to pursue their passion because they didn’t know where to begin or doubted their ability to create meaningful impact. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Almost all of the Dissenters we interviewed had no intention of becoming a hero or building a foundation. They started because they experienced injustice and they took action. And through it, they committed to learn and grow. And that’s what it’s really about—taking a step forward, helping the helpfuls, challenging the status quo.
Let’s talk about your workday routine! First, are you a night owl or a morning person? When do you do your most important work and why?
I am my most productive and clear first thing in the morning (after I have my second cup of coffee).
What time does your alarm go off, and what’s the first thing you do upon waking? What does your morning, pre-work routine look like?
My husband and I usually wake up around 5:45 a.m. when our daughters, Anderson and Miller, run into our room. I immediately take a shower and then make my first cup of coffee. Then, it’s all about packing lunches for school, making breakfast, and getting them to their pods. Next, I go upstairs. Put in my AirPods and watch the news (catch up on Jessica Yellin’s stories on Instagram). I start every morning I can with my Ryse + Shyne Facial Serum and Pept Eyes Biocellulose Eye Mask from Sundree.
Mark Twain said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” What’s the first thing you do when you get to your desk?
I cross-reference my many lists to catch up as much as I can and then I tackle my never-ending inbox.
What are you working on this week?
Planning this year's Register a Friend Day on July 25, 2021, with the amazing I am a voter. team, and working on season two of “The Dissenters.” I am also advising on a few projects that I can’t wait to share soon.
“Managing our expectations of ourselves is such a critical component of self-care.”
—Mandana Dayani, Creator and Co-Founder of I am a voter.
What’s been the most rewarding part of running your business? The most challenging?
The opportunity to learn from the incredible women I work with while making a true, meaningful impact in our communities. It’s really awesome when you find your people!
The most challenging part is just managing it all and continuing to figure out how we can drive participation in civic engagement. The next few years will definitely be more focused on local politics.
Do you ever reach inbox zero? How do you handle the constant influx of inquiries and communication founders are so familiar with?
No, I have yet to reach zero. But, I do my best and I know that it is all I can do. Managing our expectations of ourselves is such a critical component of self-care.
What is your go-to work lunch?
Sushi and sparkling water (currently, Topo Chico).
What advice do you have for balancing the minutiae of day-to-day tasks with big-picture planning?
I use lists for everything I do. Evernote is my go-to list-making tool. And, when it comes to managing tasks, I plan ahead as much as I can and then delegate as much as I can. I am so privileged to have such an incredible network of support.
What are some work habits that help you stay healthy, productive, and on track to reach your goals?
Setting boundaries. I always allocate time to have breakfast and dinner with my kids and make sure I am there to put them to bed. And I learned that I sometimes need to literally time for self-care, whether that is going on a walk or exercising. I also block off lots of time during the week to brainstorm and create.
Any favorite apps you use regularly?
Evernote, Instacart, and Chairish.
What are you watching right now to help you wind down at the end of the day?
“The West Wing,” “The Real Housewives of (everywhere),” “Baker and the Beauty,” and “The Morning Show.”
When do you go to bed? What’s your “optimal” number of sleep hours?
Lights out by 11 p.m. Optimal sleep would be 7 hours.
What’s the most rewarding part of your day?
Bedtime with our kids. We end each night taking turns sharing 1) Our act of kindness for the day, 2) What we are most grateful for, and 3) Who we want to send extra good dreams to. It is such a beautiful ritual.
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Create & Cultivate 100: Find New Roads: Mandana Dayani
Inspiring voters to make their voices heard, one election at a time.
Mandana Dayani has made a lot of major pivots over the course of her career.
She went from being a lawyer to working in the fashion industry at Rachel Zoe, Inc. Then, she worked at the startup Everything But the House, an online marketplace for estate sales, before founding I am a voter, a nonpartisan organization aimed at improving voter turnout and civic engagement.
Below, the multi-faceted media personality, entrepreneur, attorney, and activist shares her advice for women who haven’t found their passion yet, her tried-and-true tips for avoiding activism fatigue and staying positive, and the #1 book she always recommends (psst… it’s a must-read before the 2020 election).
CREATE & CULTIVATE: How did you decide to start I am a voter? What called you to take action?
MANDANA DAYANI: I am a voter was founded by some of the most brilliant women I have ever known. As an immigrant, I have always felt incredibly privileged to be an American, and I was really heartbroken seeing our country so divided the last few years.
After making the decision to just dive in and learn what I could do to help, I quickly saw that there was an opportunity for a modern voting brand that really spoke to our generation. One that was positive, empowering, and more focused on what unites us. A brand that really captured how cool it is to be an active participant and maybe made you feel a little FOMO if you weren’t. And I knew that if I could get these incredibly talented and inspiring women together in a room, we could build a meaningful message and leverage our relationships and skills to create true impact.
After doing lots of research, I learned that identity was an important predictor of voter turnout, which is where the name came from. And once we partnered with CAA, they were able to provide us with the tools, infrastructure, and support we needed to really get this off the ground.
“Fail fast. Time is incredibly valuable. If the job is not right, if the boyfriend sucks, if your friend continues to disappoint you and if the campaign isn’t gaining traction, move on quickly.”
I am a voter's media shutdown campaign has swept social media by storm. What was your plan for that campaign? How did you get partners to participate? Why do you think it has resonated with voters?
The media shutdown campaign was created by Vice Media for I am a voter and we launched it last year on National Voter Registration Day. It was a huge success and we all decided to do it again this year.
Since the beginning, I have always believed that the success of our campaign would be contingent on the support and participation of our communities. So when we reached out to all of our contacts and provided them with a very simple way to participate and with a nonpartisan message that wouldn't create conflict on their channels (but would instead provide their followers with a clear way to engage), many immediately jumped on board.
We also believe the simplicity of the message is what resonates with many people—we can all put everything aside for two minutes to participate. We were completely blown away by the support this year and just feel so grateful for everyone who showed up, believed in our mission and supported in any way possible.
When you hit a bump or hurdle in your career, how do you #FindNewRoads + switch gears to find success?
This has actually happened several times throughout my career. Each time, I begin with research. I take lots of meetings, do lots of LinkedIn stalking, ask countless questions, read tons of books about my heroes and think about who I am at the point in my life and what my goals actually are.
I find that so many people feel pigeonholed by decisions they made about their careers early on and I try to encourage them that they can pivot—it's crazy to think that who you are as a person, what your interests are and what is important to you will be the same forever. I don't think I could have ever predicted any of the major shifts I have taken in my career. But the challenge of learning something new that scares me is also so exciting.
I would also highly recommend listening to Hillary Kerr's “Second Life” podcast—it's incredible.
With success comes opportunity, but it also means you have your hands full. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going even on your most challenging days?
I have the incredible privilege of working every day with some of the most brilliant women I have ever known on a mission we all really believe in. We have all become mentors to each other and have built an invaluable support group for one other. I remember about two years ago, I was at an event that I didn't want to be at and I looked around the room and couldn't answer why I was there—there were so many things I was much more passionate about. And I was just determined to change my room. And so I guess that's what we did. We built the room we want to be in—with the people who drive us to focus on the work that inspires us.
Speaking of challenges, what have been some of the biggest mistakes you’ve faced throughout your career and what did you learn from them? How did you turn them into opportunities?
By far, the biggest mistakes I have ever made were staying in situations longer than I should have—both personally and professionally. So my advice is to fail fast. Time is incredibly valuable. If the job is not right, if the boyfriend sucks, if your friend continues to disappoint you and if the campaign isn't gaining traction, move on quickly. Learn from it. Pivot. Grow.
What advice do you have for women who haven’t found their path or passion yet?
Just start trying. If there is something you are curious about, dive in. If there is a topic that keeps you up at night, just take one little step forward today. I find that people often wait for the right time—there is no right time. Just begin now!
I also find that people too often doubt their ability to have a meaningful impact. But they don't realize just how much help all these organizations need across all functions and skillsets!
Moms Demand Action is also a great way to start getting involved. They have volunteers on the ground in every state, and you can participate with as much (or as little) time as you have to give.
I would also highly recommend they read Fight Like a Mother by Shannon Watts—it is everything you ever need to know about how to make a real impact!
What are your plans for I am a voter as we approach the 2020 elections?
We are working on many different media campaigns, partnerships, registration drives, and activations all across the country. We would love to partner with anyone interested in supporting the campaign! Please email me or DM me on Instagram any time!
What are your tricks to avoiding activism fatigue and staying positive?
I don't engage in Twitter battles and I block trolls on Instagram. I also stay focused on several issues that I am very passionate about.
Whose work do you most admire? Why?
At this point in my life, I am really passionate about my work in activism so I would have to say, Shannon Watts. She is the founder of Moms Demand Action, a grassroots organization of six million moms across America fighting together for gun safety. She was a stay at home mother of five when she began this incredible movement and has been a leading force in defeating the NRA. The clarity in vision, commitment to community, and ability to mobilize and inspire, that it takes to create something like this in just seven years is beyond extraordinary. She is as badass as it gets.
What is the #1 book you always recommend? Why?
Last year, I read On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder. It was incredibly eye-opening and a critical reminder that we must learn from our mistakes. It also provides context for how critical this time is for democracies across so many countries in the world.
Photographer: Jenna Peffley
Hair: Styled by OGXpert & Celebrity Hairstylist Jillian Halouska
VIEW THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE 100 FIND NEW ROADS LIST HERE.
Mandana Dayani Has Mastered the Art of Growth and Transition
Advice from the former Rachel Zoe VP.
Transitioning can be a challenge, but challenges are made for women like Mandana Dayani who, from a young age was taught to work harder than everyone else in order to build the future she wanted. Today part of her daily strategy is challenging herself by taking on work that intimidates her-- career changes included.
She joined Rachel Zoe, Inc. in 2010 where she served as vice president of the fashion empire for five years. Last year she accepted the role as Chief Brand Officer at Everything But The House (EBTH), a company transforming estate sales into a sophisticated online auction experience.
We caught up with Mandana as she gears up to take the stage next week at #CreateCultivateDTLA.
You made the jump from working as VP at Rachel Zoe to Chief Brand Officer at Everything But the House. Can you tell us how you see a cross-over between fashion and design and how your prior work informs your job now?
Fashion and design are very symbiotic. Your personal style plays such an important role in every part of your life - from the outfit you wear to a job interview, to the way you decorate your bedroom to create a calm environment. I have always loved vintage and have been collecting for a long time, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to learn more about it all at EBTH.
In my previous role at Rachel Zoe, I focused on developing and executing brand strategy across all platforms and media properties. Big projects such as launching the brand’s contemporary fashion collection and overseeing licensing, endorsement, television and publishing were incredible learning experiences for me. Also, having the opportunity to work with an inspiring visionary like Rachel Zoe taught me so much about how important it is to build an authentic and credible brand, as well as the work ethic, passion and dedication it takes to achieve that growth. All of these learnings have affected how I approach my role at EBTH. We have an opportunity to transform the entire estate sales industry - I can’t wait to share what we have planned!
What was it about Everything But the House that appealed to you?
EBTH is one of the most exciting and impressive companies I have come across in years. The company was created to solve a real market problem: what’s the best way to remove and sell the entire contents of a home? We have completely disrupted how estate sales have traditionally been conducted and deliver significantly better results for our sellers. I also instantly fell in love with the brand heritage and culture. Our founders are two of the most genuine and innovative leaders I have worked with and we have built a brand that is authentic, quirky, innovative and that prioritizes service. I am inspired every day by the impact we are making on people’s lives.
Are you satisfied with how your career has changed and progressed?
Yes! I have made a few big career shifts and they have all been very rewarding. Taking the first leap from working at a big law firm was really scary. Although I knew I made the right decision to switch from practicing law to the fashion industry, I am grateful to have spent time in an environment that taught me the importance of discipline, attention to detail, organization, and initiative. When I made the shift to working with Rachel Zoe, I truly learned why surrounding yourself with entrepreneurs that are positive-thinking and hard working is crucial to your personal and professional growth. Now, at EBTH, I feel so challenged working in a very fast-paced tech company. I am learning so much every day!
"Surrounding yourself with entrepreneurs that are positive-thinking and hard working is crucial to your personal and professional growth."
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What are some tenets of building a smart brand that will always be successful?
I could write a book on this one! There is so much that goes into building a brand. At the core, there must be an authentic and credible foundation. I believe this usually starts with the purpose of the brand - why do you exist? Why are people going to be interested? And why you? I find that the best built brands offer a real service to their community, which is what will always keep people coming back. When companies get too focused on a product and not the real emotional connection with their audience, they tend to lose themselves along the way. However, when that authenticity exists, it creates the correct organizational culture that can then permeate every touchpoint the consumers and employees have. This includes company culture, customer service, product assortment, visual representations of the brand, communication, social media and experiential marketing. I believe that when you can strike the right balance between brand consistency and innovation, you are definitely on the right track.
"What is the purpose of your brand - why do you exist? Why are people going to be interested? And why you?"
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How do you balance ‘staying on brand’ with pushing the brand to evolve?
I think the process of figuring out that balance is at the heart of any brand (and for a geek like me, it’s the most exciting part!). Our company was founded on strong and well-defined attributes that guide many of our decisions. Within EBTH, we are constantly thinking through how we can innovate as a tech company, drive our brand mission and deliver the absolute best experience for our audience. I also really believe in the importance of trusting your gut.
What are some ways you’re working to achieve brand loyalty— a concept many claim is a relic?
That’s a really sad claim! I don’t think I could ever do what I do if I believed it. Brand loyalty is critical to the growth of any company. I think everything we do - from our user experience on the site, to the experience of our sellers, to the customer service we provide - is aimed at achieving the loyalty of our community.
Do you believe that brand loyalty has been replaced by “deals on the internet?”
I don’t. I think that it’s great that there are so many options for people when it comes to shopping online. But when someone is looking for the perfect vintage armoire for their living room, a beautiful antique tea set as a gift or a cool mid-century art piece for their client, they want to shop from a company that they trust, offers the best value and tells a unique story. Our job is to make sure that their brand experience from start to finish exceeds their expectations and that they’ll want to come back and shop again.
How do you challenge yourself in business?
I try to take on any work that really scares me. I love the challenge of working through something that I initially find intimidating. I also try to surround myself with as many brilliant friends and colleagues as I can find! When I started building our team in LA, I worked incredibly hard to find the most talented experts in their respective fields. Lastly, I read a lot, attend many conferences, and ask a lot of questions.
"I love the challenge of working through something that I initially find intimidating."
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What advice do you have for women looking to make big career changes?
Do it! It sounds scary but it’s really liberating and rewarding. You should always make sure you are learning and being challenged. Before you make any big decision, do a ton of research! There are so many jobs and opportunities that you probably don’t know about. Take people you admire out to coffee and ask them about their careers. Reach out to people through your social channels. Ask a lot of questions! It is incredible how much you will learn about yourself through this journey.
Arianna Schioldager is Create & Cultivate's editorial director. You can find her on IG @ariannawrotethis and more about her on this site she never updateswww.ariannawrotethis.com
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