In this episode of Caregiver Conversations, Danielle HueVine shares her incredible journey from a young caregiver to a thriving entrepreneur. As the founder of HueVine, LLC, Danielle discusses how her experiences shaped her resilience, adaptability, and commitment to helping others. The conversation explores the emotional and practical challenges she faced growing up, how caregiving influenced her entrepreneurial mindset, and the importance of self-care. Danielle also highlights her passion for giving back to caregivers and her community, drawing on her lived experiences and unwavering faith. This inspiring episode offers powerful lessons on perseverance, balance, and the transformative power of caregiving.
Guest Information:
Contact Information:
Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative (SRC): www.semisrc.org | Phone: (888) 341-8593
Elder Law and Advocacy Center (ELAC) : Phone: (313) 937-8291, nlsmichigan.org/elder-law/
Kristie: [00:00:00] Welcome back to Caregiver Conversations, where we discuss the real stories, challenges, and solutions that matter most to caregivers. I'm your host, Kristie King, Executive Director of the Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative.
Antonia: And I'm your co-host, Antonia Harbin Lamb, Staff Attorney at the Elder Law and Advocacy Center and Program Manager of the Great Lakes Legal Mediation Division.
Today, we're excited to dive into a special episode with Danielle HueVine, founder of HueVine, LLC—a skincare and med spa brand built on passion, resilience, and the journey of caregiving. Welcome!
Kristie: Yes! Danielle is a master esthetician—let me tell you, she is the master! She's an entrepreneur and caregiver who has dedicated much of her life to caring for others, all while building a successful business. Today, we’ll talk about how her experiences as a caregiver shaped her entrepreneurial journey, how she integrates self-care into her busy [00:01:00] life, and how her story can inspire others. Once again, welcome, Danielle! We are so excited to have you. I’ve been looking forward to this conversation for a while.
Danielle: Thank you for having me. This is my first podcast experience, so yes, thank you for having me.
Kristie: It’ll be a good one—I promise!
Antonia: It’s such a pleasure to have you with us today, and thank you for the gifts!
Kristie: Yes, thank you. To start, Danielle, you stepped into the role of caregiver for your siblings at a young age. Can you share more about how that happened and what responsibilities you took on?
Danielle: I didn’t realize it was caregiving at the time. My mother was an entrepreneur—a hairstylist. After she and my father divorced, she brought her business home. The basement became her shop, and upstairs was essentially a daycare where my siblings and I lived. I was responsible for taking care of my brothers and sisters, often left home with them.
I went from being a child to a caregiver overnight. I had a house key when I was in second grade. I was cooking meals and taking care of my siblings. By the time I had my own child, caregiving felt second nature—like riding a bike. Over the years, my role progressed from just making sure they were fed to full-blown parenting. I became “the mama” of the house.
Kristie: How old were you at this time?
Danielle: Seven or eight. The principal at my school even knew about it. She’d say, “Your mom left the key here.” It became a community effort. I used to go to the corner store with a note for groceries and stamps.
Kristie: That experience started early. Looking back, what were some of the emotional or practical challenges you faced as a young caregiver? Especially during adolescence or your teenage years?
Danielle: At first, I was willing to help—I was six years older than my next sibling, so I felt it was my responsibility. I didn’t feel resentful until I wanted to experience childhood—going outside with friends, sleepovers, or middle and high school parties. I missed out on those things because I was taking care of kids. That’s when resentment started to set in.
Over time, caregiving evolved. It wasn’t just minor tasks anymore. If I didn’t provide for them, they didn’t eat. I had to figure things out—sometimes cooking chicken that wasn’t fully done. I didn’t feel like a child anymore; I was the parent. That caused conflict between my mom and me because I felt my word carried equal weight in the house since I was doing so much.
Kristie: It sounds like you had to grow up very quickly. Did you feel supported by your school or extended family?
Danielle: Not really. My grandmother helped when she could, but outside of a few family members, there wasn’t much support. My mother struggled with her mental health and was physically present but emotionally absent. I felt resentment because it didn’t feel like a cohesive family structure.
Kristie: That’s something we don’t talk about enough—how caregiving can create resentment. Antonia, I don’t think we’ve covered that in-depth before.
Antonia: No, we’ve talked about guilt, but not resentment. It’s an important perspective.
Danielle: Therapy helped me work through those feelings. I’ve come to understand that people had their own struggles and couldn’t always help. But there’s still a part of me that feels disconnected from my family because we weren’t a priority.
Kristie: What lessons did you learn about resilience, sacrifice, and self-care during your caregiving journey?
Danielle: Resilience was a necessity. If I didn’t do something, it wouldn’t get done. I learned to stretch resources—like making a pot of spaghetti last an entire week. But as I reflect, caregiving was always my life; I didn’t know any different. It shaped my approach to entrepreneurship. I can persevere through challenges because I’m used to doing so without expecting immediate rewards.
Kristie: As a young caregiver, did you ever feel like anyone cared for you?
Danielle: I retreated into small moments of self-care. My grandma and I would lock the door, watch movies, and eat snacks. It wasn’t much, but it was comforting. Now, I still retreat to recharge. It’s my way of caring for myself.
Antonia: It’s interesting how caregiving informed your entrepreneurial mindset. How do you think caregiving prepared you for running a business?
Danielle: It taught me discipline and patience. Caregiving requires daily effort without immediate results. I apply that same mindset to my business. Entrepreneurship, like caregiving, takes time to build.
Kristie: It sounds like caregiving helped you develop a strong foundation of resilience and discipline. How do you balance everything now?
Danielle: It’s all about setting priorities. My faith, self-care, and my son come first. I schedule moments to decompress, even if it’s just getting my nails done or taking a short break. Therapy, reading, and prayer are key parts of my routine.
Antonia: It’s amazing how self-care plays a role in balancing so much. Let’s talk more about how your caregiving journey has influenced your approach to self-care.
Danielle: For me, self-care started with understanding that it’s okay to care for myself. That realization didn’t fully happen until I made the decision to put my sister in a care facility. At the time, I had my business and my son, and I realized I couldn’t continue sacrificing myself without long-term consequences.
Once I made that decision, I started prioritizing therapy, reading, attending self-growth conferences, and focusing on my own well-being. It became an obsession, in a way—to be better and see what I could achieve if I concentrated on myself the way I had focused on others for so long.
Kristie: That’s a powerful perspective. Choosing to place a loved one in a facility is often seen as a last resort, but for you, it became a critical act of self-care.
Danielle: Absolutely. It doesn’t mean I didn’t care—it was the opposite. I cared so much about her and myself that I had to make that difficult choice. It allowed me to focus on my son, my business, and my own health. After that, I truly started to embrace self-care.
Antonia: You’ve been through so much, and yet you’ve managed to turn your experiences into strength. How do you see the connection between self-care and maintaining balance in your life now?
Danielle: Self-care is essential for balance. For me, it’s about taking small moments to decompress—whether that’s getting my nails done, praying, or even just having a quiet moment. These things may seem simple, but they keep me grounded.
As a business owner and mother, I’ve learned to listen to my body and mind. If I start binging shows or retreating too much, I know it’s time to reassess my self-care because it might be leaning toward avoidance or depression.
Kristie: That self-awareness is so important. It’s also inspiring to hear how you’re balancing everything while running a business. Let’s talk about that—how did caregiving shape your mindset for entrepreneurship?
Danielle: It taught me discipline and patience. Caregiving requires daily tasks without immediate rewards, and entrepreneurship is very similar. You have to trust the process and be okay with delayed gratification.
For example, when I was younger, I was responsible for cleaning the kitchen every single day. It didn’t matter who made the mess—it was my job, and I didn’t get a “thank you” for it. That experience taught me to focus on doing the work, not seeking validation. In business, I carry the same mindset. I know the results will come if I stay consistent.
Antonia: That’s such a great analogy—entrepreneurship really is about showing up consistently, even when the rewards aren’t immediate.
Danielle: Exactly. And it’s also about being adaptable. With caregiving, I had to adjust constantly based on my sister’s needs or my family’s situation. The same goes for running a business—you have to pivot when things don’t go as planned and stay decisive.
Kristie: That’s such a valuable lesson for anyone listening, whether they’re caregivers or entrepreneurs. What advice would you give to caregivers who are trying to balance their responsibilities with pursuing their own goals?
Danielle: The biggest advice I can give is to prioritize yourself. It’s not selfish—it’s necessary. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Make time for self-care, and don’t feel guilty about it. Also, ask for help when you need it. You don’t have to do everything alone.
Antonia: Speaking of asking for help, how has your support system played a role in maintaining balance?
Danielle: My support system has been invaluable. My son’s father has been very understanding, and I’m able to lean on him when I need extra help. That gives me the space to decompress and recharge.
I also rely heavily on my faith. Reading the Bible and staying spiritually grounded has helped me navigate the hardest moments. It’s a reminder that I’m not in control of everything, and that’s okay.
Kristie: It’s clear that faith has been a strong foundation for you. It’s inspiring to see how you’ve turned your experiences into something positive—not just for yourself, but for others.
Danielle: Thank you. It’s been a journey, but I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned.
Kristie: Danielle, I’d love to know more about how your caregiving journey has inspired you to give back to the community. How have your experiences shaped the way you approach helping others?
Danielle: My caregiving journey has made me more empathetic and intentional. I only get involved with organizations or initiatives that I truly believe in—ones where I see a real impact. For example, I’ve aligned myself with the Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative (SRC) because I know the resources they provide are life-changing for caregivers.
When I attended their conference, I got emotional seeing how many resources were available. It made me think, “What if I had access to this when I was caregiving?” That “what if” drives me to support others.
Antonia: It sounds like you’re not just giving back—you’re creating change based on your lived experience.
Danielle: Exactly. That’s why I’m passionate about initiatives like clothing drives or mentorship programs. I’ve been in those situations—I know what it’s like to not have a proper winter coat or to feel lost without guidance. I want to make sure others have what they need, even if it’s something small.
Kristie: That’s such an impactful perspective. It’s clear you’ve poured so much of yourself into the work you do. As we wrap up, what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned through your caregiving journey, and what would you want to share with others?
Danielle: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is patience. It’s something I’m still working on, but it’s been the most valuable. Whether it’s with caregiving, running a business, or raising my son, I’ve realized that things don’t happen on my timeline—they happen when they’re meant to.
My grandfather gave me the African name “Ra,” which means patience. He always told me I needed to learn patience, and now I see why. It’s taught me to let go of control and trust the process.
Kristie: That’s such a profound lesson, and it resonates with so many of us. Thank you for sharing that, Danielle.
Antonia: Yes, thank you. Your story is inspiring, and your dedication to giving back is so meaningful. Before we end, how can listeners connect with you or learn more about HueVine?
Danielle: Thank you both for having me—it’s been an amazing experience. Listeners can find me at huevine.com—that’s H-U-E-V-I-N-E dot com. You can also find us on social media at @WeAreHuVine and @HueSkincare.
With SRC, we’re also starting an initiative to help caregivers access respite care each month. I don’t want to share too much yet, but it’s in the works. My goal is to take even one brick off a caregiver’s back because I know how heavy it can feel.
Kristie: That sounds incredible. Thank you for sharing that, Danielle. And congratulations again on your success—you even have a YouTube plaque!
Danielle: (Laughs) Yes, thank you! It’s a blessing, but I’m always looking ahead to what’s next. I’m so grateful, though.
Antonia: Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us today, Danielle. It’s been an absolute pleasure hearing your story and learning more about how caregiving continues to shape your life.
Danielle: Thank you for having me. It means so much to be able to share this part of my life.
Kristie: Thank you, Danielle. And thank you to all our listeners for tuning in to this episode of Caregiver Conversations.
Don’t forget to subscribe to Caregiver Conversations on your favorite podcast platform, or find a quick link on the Senior Regional Collaborative’s website at semisrc.org.
Antonia: And we’d love to hear from you! If you have thoughts, stories, or ideas to share, connect with us on social media or through our website.
Kristie: Until next time, take care and keep caring.