International Women's Day

The Simple but Powerful Tactic That Helps Tara Rudes Dann Course-Correct From Stress

In her Thrive Questionnaire, the L’AGENCE Partner shares the importance of pausing and taking a step back when you feel overwhelmed.
Tara Rudes Dann

Tara Rudes Dann

5 Min Read

At Thrive Global, in honor of International Women’s Day, we’re inviting women business leaders to share how they Thrive. 

Thrive Global: What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed? 

Tara Rudes: The truth is, we do a family group hug. I want my home to always be filled with love and laughter. When I’m traveling and not at home, I’m calling for room service or sipping a coffee ASAP to wake me up for long days and nights.

TG: What gives you energy? 

TR: Empowering women and people. It fills me up.

TG: What’s your secret life hack? 

TR: Praying! I pray daily for serenity.

TG: Name a book that changed your life. 

TR: “The Secret” (by Rhonda Bryne) and all the editions!

TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you? 

TR: My phone doesn’t sleep with me, I sleep with it. It’s a love/hate relationship, and I’m trying to make it a less powerful connection.

TG: How do you deal with email? 

TR: I’m very old school. I read an email, and 8 out of 10 times call the sender to discuss. It’s so much simpler that way, and encourages clearer communication.

TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it? 

TR: I take the time to call my loved ones. That’s something I found is most important and meaningful.

TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why? 

TR: I try not to focus on being anything but powerful.

TG: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it? 

TR: I have my whole life ahead of me and failure is not an option. When you fall, get back up.

TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace. 

TR: The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

TG: How do you prioritize when you have an overwhelming amount to do? 

TR: Start with most important, and go down the list.

TG: What advice would you give your younger self about reducing stress? 

TR: It’s all meaningless.. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

TG: Do you have any role models for living a thriving life?

TR: The people I surround myself with. Role models, the people who I aspire to be around, and people who encourage me to be / do better.

TG: What’s your personal warning sign that you’re depleted?

TR: When I start to get sick.

TG: When you notice you’re getting too stressed, what do you do to course correct?

TR: When I’m too stressed I start to feel emotionally and physically sick. So, I’ll take a day and regroup.

TG: What’s a surprising way you practice mindfulness?

TR: “The Secret” has an app called “Secret Money”. It’s a great way to gain perspective, practice daily affirmations, and plan a way to achieve my goals. 

TG: How do you reframe negative thinking?

TR: I think about what I’m grateful for, and that centers my positive outlook. What you put out there is what you receive.

TG: Tell us about a small change you have made in your life to improve your sleep. What did you do, how long did it take until it became effective, and how you sustain this habit? 

TR: If anyone has suggestions, that would be great. But, right now my focus is on striking when the iron is hot. I listen to my body when it’s time to take a rest. But my brain is always on, and I do enjoy the long hours.

TG: Tell us about a small change you have made in your life to improve the way you connect with others. What did you do, how long did it take until it became effective, and how you sustain this habit? 

TR: Becoming a better listener…This is a lifetime dedication, and I try to practice it always.

TG: Tell us about a small change you have made in your life to improve your focus. What did you do, how long did it take until it became effective, and how you sustain this habit? 

TR: While being in the listening, my focus became more clear on what needs to be prioritized, therefore improving my focus. 

TG: What was the biggest turning point in your life? 

TR: Marrying my husband.

TG: What’s your evening routine that helps you unwind and go to sleep? 

TR: Connecting with my husband, Steven. Through connection and communication, we are able to balance out our days and recoup as a couple and our Business’s.

Author(s)

  • Tara Rudes Dann

    Partner at L’AGENCE

    Fashion Maven, Philanthropist, and Community Leader Tara Dann has dominated the fashion industry for over a decade and a half through work with J Brand and now L’AGENCE. The third generation of a family immersed in the garment industry, the concept of entering the fashion world was second nature for Tara since birth. Her fashion career began with J Brand, which was founded by her uncle, Jeff Rudes. She quickly flourished at J. Brand, in less than a year was promoted to sales associate, and a year later was promoted to an account executive managing a multi-million dollar business. After J Brand was sold in 2014, Tara began her journey at L’AGENCE, another company co-founded by her uncle. She’s held her firm position as Vice President and Partner for over five years at L’AGENCE, while also immersing herself in the design and merchandising process. Outside of the office, Tara is a wife to fellow fashion leader Steven Dann and a mother to their 4-year-old son, Greyson. Tara has been the force behind iconic brands for years, though in many ways she’s just getting started. Her philanthropic work with organizations like the American Cancer Society and UJA has inspired her to continue in that trajectory, while also seeking ventures of her own. Such ventures include utilizing her love for entrepreneurial and motivational speaking with her debut on networks like CNN & NBC, as well as numerous panels. At this stage in her career, Tara’s greatest move is giving back, through doing and speaking. “What you give is what you get,” she expresses. “I want to make a difference in this world and in this lifetime.” It starts with fashion, but for Tara, it certainly doesn’t end there. “I aim to make everyone feel and look beautiful through fashion,” she says. “But my main mission is to help people find that beauty from within.”