Dayna Steele – Working Mom Rocks to the Top

So what can girls learn from some of the hardest rockers in the business? Dayna Steele, an award winning rock station DJ, takes us on a wild ride through show business to prove to us, that at the end of the day, being a rock star is more about being a good business person than anything else.

Dayna Steele ruled the airwaves in Dallas, DJ-ing a popular rock radio show. Her legions of fans named themselves the “Steelworkers” and she got to meet and interview some of the legends of rock and roll, like Gene Simmons from KISS, Sting and many others. Over the years, she got so many questions about what it took to become a rock star that she decided to write a book revealing all she knows. The book, Rock To The Top – What I Learned About Success From The World’s Greatest Rock Stars is a great ride through rock and roll.

We were wondering why a mother of three boys was so concerned about girls being smart. Dayna is concerned that there is a hole generation of girls (and boys) growing up wanting to be famous – so they don’t have to work hard. Of course, if you read her book, you realize that hard work and (lasting) fame go hand in hand. She’s concerned that more kids want to be rock stars and famous athletes rather than scientists, engineers or astronauts. She remembers a time when the space race galvanized the nation’s imagination – and now of course it’s the Great Race that keep us rivted.

Dayna feels that it’s important to encourage kids to be smart – as you’ll see in her profile of Gene Simmons, this rock star is one savvy businessman. To him talent and being smart were not incompatible.

Dayna remembers that her father always encouraged her to grow up to be a businesswoman – never a princess, and Dayna certainly has pursued both passion and profit. She runs a straight and narrow household, teaching her boys about frugality and thrift, while making sure they put the emphasis on school work.

Of course as a mom, I couldn’t help but ask her about balance – how does she write a book, run a media company and raise3 boys (along with her husband). She gave a great answer – she’s diligent about managing her time and shutting off. There is work time and there is family time and she tries to keep a wall. Also when she works, she works, and when she’s with her family, that’s where she is. As she says, for most of us, work really isn’t brain surgery – and it can wait until tomorrow. Organization and timetables help (she also admitted to getting up early!) And of course – being her own boss – priceless in giving her the needed flexibility.

Dayna also travels across the country giving talks to schools, youth groups and other organizations – and with her storehouse of rock and roll stories, you know you wouldn’t be bored. You can learn more about her speaking here.

Check out our profile of Dayna, where she debunks the myth of fame at GirlMogul Magazine