Bartica’s Daniella Chase shares bold, inspiring journey in first book

Daniella Chase, a Guyanese author and entrepreneur, is set to launch her first book, an inspiring autobiography on Saturday, July 19, at the Umana Yana in Georgetown.

The book, titled ‘Becoming Bolder with Every Step – Walking in Purpose, Trusting Divine Timing’, traces her journey from a spirited childhood in Bartica to becoming a businesswoman, blogger and now published author. During an interview with the News Room on Thursday, Chase reflected on her roots and shared insights into her book.

“I grew up in Bartica with my grandmother, siblings and cousins. I was always very talkative, my grandmother called me Prattle Minister and I always loved to write,” Chase told the News Room.

Her passion for writing made its way from her notebooks to blogging in 2017.

“I created the blog where I could have a space to just write and my writing would not be at the risk of someone finding them in a book or something.

“I think my first blog was named Scattered Words but of course as I wrote and I discovered writing was my gift things became clearer. I realised I wasn’t just writing stories or I wasn’t just sharing my thoughts, they were meant to be something bigger,” Chase recounted.

Three years later, the blog was renamed Daniella Enough. Though she never set out to write a book, the idea took root during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Chase found herself stuck in Colombia for several months.

She explained that maybe for the first time in her life, being quarantined gave her much needed ‘stillness’.

“It was in that stillness the pages began to come together. At first I wondered how I’d do it, not even having the knowledge to go about writing this book, publishing this book, but I trusted God and the book moved from being an idea,” Chase said.

She explained that the book explores themes of courage, self-discovery, failure as a checkpoint, not a destination and how embracing one’s gifts allows space for personal success.

The first chapter is dedicated to her maternal grandmother, Claudette Beatrice Benn who sadly passed away two years ago.

“A day doesn’t pass that I don’t think about her but I know she would be proud of this book but that is because she was always proud and I know that she is happy,” an emotional Chase said.

A defining moment in her journey came when her book advertisement lit up New York’s Times Square just a few weeks ago.

“I knew it was happening and watched it on a live cam. But standing there, watching it happen in real life, my heart was pounding. That was the moment the dream stepped into the world, that was a moment,” Chase remarked.

The launch at Umana Yana holds deep meaning for Chase. As a former student of President’s College who was also on the Hinterland Scholarship Programme, the Umana Yana was the place for important gatherings.

For her, it feels like a full circle moment.

Chase’s path to success was also shaped by entrepreneurship from a young age. Inspired by her mother, Marcia, Chase recalled how she [her mother] began selling sweet drinks and ‘chico’ to help with school expenses.

“That’s where Daniella the businesswoman began. Later in high school, I bought combs from a Chinese store in Regent Street and resold them in the dorms. Things took off from there, then it was Avon, poultry rearing, fruit juices, and now, Stiletto Fetish, my women’s shoe retail business that I’ve been running for 11 years,” a proud Chase said.

‘Becoming Bolder with Every Step – Walking in Purpose, Trusting Divine Timing’, is available online via Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Physical copies can be found at her store in Bartica and are also available for delivery in Georgetown.

“Fingers crossed, we’re working to get it into local bookstores soon,” Chase said.

Recently, Chase was also awarded the second place in Guyana Prize for Literature (Non-Fiction) 2024.

“As this chapter draws to an end and you step into the uncharted territory of the next phase, let go of the grip of fear, discover your unique gifts and talents, and wholeheartedly embrace the bold individual you are destined to become,” Chase wrote in her book.