Organizational leadership grad fashions clothing design hobby into apparel company

Danielle Render, founder and creative director of DVN Co.

When an automobile accident sidelined a Purdue graduate for a few months in 2018, Danielle Render (BS organizational leadership ’17, BS multidisciplinary engineering ’17) transformed her “side hustle” into a full-time gig.

After double-majoring in organizational leadership and multidisciplinary education, Render accepted a position as a consulting analyst with Accenture’s consulting development program in Atlanta, Georgia. During her free time, she restarted the fashion design hobby that she’d originally picked up in high school. Divine Creations Clothing Co., an original apparel company now known as DVN Co., was born.

Unable to travel for projects for Accenture while recovering from her accident, DVN became Render’s full-time effort.

“The truth is, I thought that I was going to be a successful consultant,” Render said. “And so again, this was something that was just a side hobby while I was at Accenture.”

DVN cracked six figures in sales by the end of 2018 and more than a half-million dollars by the end of 2019.

“I used to stress myself out about who saw my light and if I was doing things right,” said Render. “Now I don’t focus on who sees it. I focus on doing what I’m supposed to do so that I can make a positive impact, and I feel like this is my calling.”

See the full story by Jonita (Holley) Davis at the Purdue Alumnus.

DVN Co. focuses on creating original apparel. (Image provided.)

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