Today we’d like to introduce you to Dani Dudek.
Hi Dani, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my career in television. For over two decades, I worked in the promotion/marketing department at TV stations around the country. After 12 Emmy nominations, four wins, and a stint at the Fox Network in Los Angeles, I made the decision to change careers. I currently serve as the publisher of the Austin.com Network, which includes a website, Facebook page, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok channel, as well as the secondary brand Free Fun in Austin. Since 2008, I have run my own entertainment website ATXgossip.com which includes influence on various social media platforms. Additionally, I am a Marketing and Media Strategist for multiple small businesses. How do I do it all? I rarely sleep. Seriously.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Though a job in television sounds fun (and sometimes it is!), it’s very stressful. It’s demanding and unpredictable. The hours are long, vacations are limited and sleep is hard to come by. I truly enjoyed my years in TV, but it took a toll on my health and my relationships. Making the decision to leave a career where I was very successful was definitely not easy though. I spent over a year hustling to re-brand myself while living on a very small income. But the struggle was so worth it! I’m happier with what I’m doing now than I have ever been. My advice to anyone thinking about making a change to any aspect of their life is this: don’t wait until your “golden years” to enjoy your life. Life is too short! The time to enjoy it is NOW.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve always been an uber-creative person. Writing, photography, videography… it all comes naturally for me. I love that my work incorporates all of those things! Tiktok has become the most enjoyable platform for me because I used to produce short-form videos for TV – though they were mostly related to the news. Being able to have fun with it and create unique and entertaining videos is so great. I’m not producing Emmy caliber projects anymore but I’m having fun and it doesn’t get any better than that! PS – you can follow me on TikTok at @atxgossip and @thatssoaustin.
What makes you happy?
The thing that makes me the most happy is living life to the fullest! I love concerts, festivals, movies, TV, fashion, travel and, most of all, spending time with family and friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: Austin.com & ATXgossip.com
- Instagram: @atxgossip
- Twitter: @atxgossipDani
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@atxgossip
