52 Cups of Coffee: 417 Edition - Cup 40/52 - Erin Danastasio

Here's the weekly boilerplate intro if you've already read anything from past cups of coffee skip ahead to the cup of coffee below the name!

After hearing about the book 52 Cups of Coffee on a Podcast, I thought it sounded like a great opportunity to connect to people in my community. Initially, my plan was to just have coffee once a week with someone I know. I was thinking of friends, family members, or colleagues with whom I could spend some quality time. But the opportunity to engage with my community is always in the back of my mind. So I thought it might be interesting to ask the same set of questions to a diverse cast of influential and interesting people in the 417 area and share them here on my LinkedIn page. At the end of the year, who knows what we'll have... at the very least it's 52 interesting conversations. It's a loose plan. I don't have any real intentions and I think that's the beauty of it. Curiosity. Community. And a chance to learn a little bit from each person. A big thanks to the folks at Travellers House Coffee & Tea for being willing to provide a place to chat and several cups of coffee throughout the year!

**I don't like taking notes while having coffee and conversation so I've trusted Otter to do the transcribing. Any editing issues are my own. I'm not a professional. :) I've included a list of books we discuss throughout the conversation at the bottom.

Erin Danastasio - 40/52

Erin Danastasio is the executive director of the Hatch Foundation , a family-based nonprofit rooted in the Springfield, Missouri community. She is the granddaughter of Mr. Bill Darr, so she also is involved with the DARR FAMILY FOUNDATION . The Hatch Foundation was started by Erin and her family, which might ring a bell if you remember my interview with her father , Kurt Hellweg , earlier in the year. On top of that, she is also the driving force behind Celebrate Springfield. All of these incredible organizations exists to benefit and promote the 417 area and do so in a big way. We get to cover a lot of really cool stuff in this discussion and I am grateful, not just for the time Erin took with me, but that people like her are committed to showing off how great this region is. It's great work coming from a great person, too. I was really happy to meet Erin and find out how genuine, kind, and welcoming she is. This Darr family tree sure seems to be full of great human beings! The Hatch offices are not far from Architect Coffee Co so I picked up some coffee and we met at her office. That's where we kick it off below:

Rhett Roberson?

What is the CliffsNotes version of the story of you??

Erin Danastasio

The story of me... Mine is not as entertaining as my dad's, I'm afraid.?

Rhett Roberson?

Never flown helicopters??

Erin Danastasio?

No, I haven't unfortunately. I know. I've ridden on a motorcycle, haven't driven a motorcycle, and only ridden with him. So, it's a little less entertaining. (Laughs) I was born in Florida while dad was still in the Navy, and moved here to Springfield when I was about a year old. So, Springfield is very much so my home. I've lived here pretty much my entire life. I went to Mizzou for college where I studied textile and apparel management, which is essentially fashion design, and obviously I do nothing related to that anymore. I did for a little while. I graduated from Mizzou in 2008 and moved back to Springfield immediately after. Like I said, Springfield is home to me. My family all lives here, and I'm very close to my family. I guess, my goal in life was to be a mom, and I knew that I needed to have my family support to be able to do that. So, I moved back here and met my husband, Cody, just a few months after moving back to Springfield. We dated for about six months before we got engaged, and then we were married eight months after. We both had some long term relationships beforehand, and just knew what we had found and we were ready to move on.

At that time, I was working at David's Bridal. So, when I moved back to Springfield, I started working at David's Bridal here where I was the alterations manager there for a couple years. As you can imagine, in that world, things are kind of crazy. You get some Bridezillas. A lot of great clients, but some not so great as well. After a couple years there, I was ready to move on and do something else.?

Rhett Roberson?

It only takes a few mothers of the bride.?

Erin Danastasio?

You know, it's funny that you say that, because they honestly are the worst. More often than not, it was the mother of the bride that sent me running. (Laughs) After that I started a business that was called In Stitches, and it was embroidery. Just doing personalized projects for individuals, and I just kind of ran with that. At that time, I really just wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. That was my goal for life. I did that for probably less than a year when my dad called and said, "Hey, would you be interested in applying for a job with the family businesses?" So, Rhett, as you know, my grandfather started a couple businesses, ADF and IDF before I was born, actually. While I loved the idea of working for the businesses, again, I studied fashion design. I was not a food scientist and knew nothing of that world, but at one point during my career I took a quiz that told me that customer service is really an area that I would excel in and lo and behold, there was a customer service position that opened up within the family businesses.

I ended up applying for that and got that job. I was the customer service manager for American Dehydrated Foods, the pet food side of the business. While I was working for the businesses, Cody and I ended up having three children. We have twins that are now 12, and then our son turns eight on Sunday. That time was just going through the family transitions, but then also with the career path as well. I had started doing some marketing and intercompany communications before we sold the businesses. So I had worked for ADF and IDF for roughly eight years at the time that we sold. That was a moment of, how should I put this? Kind of an identity crisis for me, honestly. Because, again, the businesses had been around longer than I had been alive and having worked there for that long, I was only one in my generation that worked for the companies. My long term goal at that point was to be chairman of the board. I wanted to kind of follow along my dad's footsteps, but on my own path. So, I was really struggling. I felt kind of lost at the time, but then our family came together and decided that we wanted to start what is now the Hatch Foundation, and they asked me if I would be interested in running the foundation. It's been really, really wonderful since then.?

Rhett Roberson?

Yeah. I can see that transition being hard, especially since it runs in the family. It's not just your identity, it's a family identity. I'm sure that was a tough transition. Going into the family business did you have any worries? I know that you and your father have a great relationship, but I still think that working within the family can sometimes be, I don't know, maybe unnerving, a bit? Did you have any trepidation about taking the job initially??

Erin Danastasio?

Yeah, you know, my biggest hesitation to taking the job, it's funny that you asked that, was not really working underneath my dad or anything like that. It was more that I knew in my heart that if I took the position, that I would be there forever. As a family member, as an owner, I could not come in and then step back out. I just didn't feel like that would send a good signal or good message. So yeah, I did have some hesitation initially with taking the job, simply because of that. I just knew it was a forever thing. And again, at that point in time, I just wanted to be a stay at home mom. I just wanted to raise kids and that's what I thought was going to be the best option for me. Obviously it wasn't.?

Rhett Roberson?

Yeah and you said your son's birthday is this...?

Erin Danastasio?

This Sunday. Yes.?

Rhett Roberson?

That's a great birthday. That's my birthday as well!

Erin Danastasio?

Oh, well happy birthday!?

Rhett Roberson?

Thank you! I’ve got to say it's a good day to have a birthday.?

Erin Danastasio?

Chose well! (Laughs)?

Rhett Roberson

Yes! So, we're sitting in the Hatch offices with coffee from Architect across the street. I didn't actually know where the office was until today, but it's really cool that the family chose to roll that ADF/IDF success into this space that we're sitting in now. We talked before I started recording about grant delivery day for the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools . It happened just recently, and you went along for grant delivery day. The Hatch Foundation made a significant contribution to some of the local schools here and so did the Darr Family Foundation. Because of the industries that IDF and ADF were involved with, the Ag Academy is a big part of that contribution. I get to sit on the board, and you sat on the foundation board as well!

Erin Danastasio

I did!?

Rhett Roberson?

It's really neat to see how you can take something like what your grandfather started, and so many years later it's doing things in the community like what we saw at grant delivery day. And even he couldn't have known that so many years ago.?

Erin Danastasio?

Oh, no, sure. That is really neat. It really is. I think, for my grandpa, when he started the businesses, he was taking out a loan at like, 20%. Just something crazy. To be able to start a business, quite literally out of his home and making the bets, I think he just knew that there was something there and a dream to chase. It's really incredible what it turned into.?

Rhett Roberson?

Yeah, there's a great story that I think I read in the Springfield Business Journal about him taking a $50,000 loan, which, at the time, was massive. That's a big gamble at that time and look at how it turned out! Really cool.?

Erin Danastasio?

It is. And he's always been a philanthropic individual, and has always wanted to give back, and believed in taking care of people.

Rhett Roberson

Runs in the family! It's made its way a couple generations down the line.?

Erin Danastasio

Well, thank you, I appreciate that.?

Rhett Roberson?

What brings you joy??

Erin Danastasio?

Honestly, spending time with family and friends. My work brings me joy. I think a lot of people can't say that and I think it is because of what we focus on and work on here at Hatch, and it really does bring me joy. But at the end of the day, I'd say my love language is quality time. Just being able to sit down with the family and connect, whether it's playing games or going out on a boat ride, whatever it may be. Even just snuggling up on the couch and watching a good movie.?

Rhett Roberson?

Yeah, and with a couple of 12-year-olds, you're starting the countdown. You've only got a few more years of cuddling up and watching movies.?

Erin Danastasio?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I feel like I always had a great relationship with my parents, and my mom is still one of my best friends. So, I'm very hopeful that I still have that connection with my children. So far, they're very loving, but time will tell. Some days I'm like, "Woo. Okay, back off!" (Laughs)?

Rhett Roberson?

Mine is three. So, I'm enjoying my time now. I assume we'll take a break in the teenage years where I might be the bad guy...?

Erin Danastasio?

Boy or girl??

Rhett Roberson?

Girl.?

Erin Danastasio?

Okay.?

Rhett Roberson?

Maybe we'll come back somewhere around college.?

Erin Danastasio?

That's what they say.?

Rhett Roberson?

(Laughs)?

Erin Danastasio?

I'm preparing myself for that. It's funny, I joke that it took me a number of years to talk my husband into having another baby, just because he was terrified of having another set of twins, which honestly was a little intimidating.?

Rhett Roberson?

Fair point.?

Erin Danastasio?

Yeah, I get that, but I couldn't just send them off into the world and off to college. That just really terrified me. So I was like, "I need to slow roll this." (Laughs) But enjoy the three year old stage!?

Rhett Roberson?

Yes, that's good advice and I am. With running a foundation and having the family, I'm sure stress builds up from time to time.?

Erin Danastasio?

It sure can.?

Rhett Roberson?

What do you do when you need to recharge??

Erin Danastasio?

When I need to recharge... You know, I'm not an avid book reader, but I'm trying to become one. My dad, as you learned, certainly is one. I have found in the mornings, this is kind of a silly routine, honestly, but I'll get up and I get on my elliptical and I read. I think it's my way of de-stressing. Being able to work out is always a great de-stressor, but I think reading and just kind of disconnecting from the world around you is a great way to do that as well.?

Rhett Roberson?

Absolutely. How would your colleagues describe you??

Erin Danastasio?

That's a good question. I hope they describe me as being innovative and driven, but also just a caring individual. Somebody who really cares about the community and the people around me.?

Rhett Roberson?

Can you describe the work that you do here at Hatch??

Erin Danastasio?

Sure, yeah. At the Hatch Foundation, it's just me here that runs Hatch. Obviously, as you were saying Rhett, we have a family office here, so a couple other individuals are at the office here. I think with Hatch we have a really unique view on things. When we started Hatch, we were having a meeting within the family, and started talking through how we wanted to give back to the community. Because again, when we sold the businesses at the end of 2019, almost five years ago now, we came together as a group and started talking about the impact that the community has had on us as a whole, really through my grandfather starting the businesses. So, we wanted to be able to give back in a really meaningful way, and thought that really focusing on the inherent attributes of Springfield is a unique way of being able to support our community and help it grow and thrive. I don't know if you're familiar with the community focus report (https://springfieldcommunityfocus.org/2024_report/community-focus-report-2024.pdf ), but they outline the blue ribbons and the red flags. The blue ribbons being the good things about the community, and then the red flags being some of those areas that are at risk, areas needing some love, and attention, and a lot of focus. And those are the areas that most funders do focus on, right? Those are like homelessness, for example, there are a lot of individuals that focus on that. We really wanted to focus on the blue ribbons of Springfield and think about, "What are the great things that we have here?" If we don't support those and help them to thrive, we've seen over time, they do eventually become some of the bad things about the community. I think of it as four different pillars in which we really invest in Springfield. Those are the arts, outdoors, entrepreneurship and community engagement. Those are really the areas that we think are unique to Springfield for a community of our size and our footprint, if you will. I think that those are areas that we really thrive, and we hope to see those continue to be really great pieces of Springfield.

Rhett Roberson?

Yeah, it's interesting. For the size of it, the kind of entrepreneurial vision in this community is interesting to me. There are a lot of people involved in that space. And what's the statistic? Nine out of 10 businesses fail in the first three years, or something like that? It's nice to have those additional resources and places in town you can go to get an idea of what you need to be aware of as you're opening businesses. And that's great for the community as a whole, but the fact that the Hatch Foundation is also investing in the arts is wonderful. As a person who loves to play music, I love to listen to music, and appreciate all of the arts that I don't have talents in, that's something I really like to see grow around here. In my opinion, and feel free to correct me if I'm off base, I feel like Hatch has a more holistic view than some other foundations that maybe do similar types of work. It's a more holistic community view. It's supporting commerce from the entrepreneurial side, but the arts as well. We're growing up a stronger community when it's on more than just a single pillar.?

Erin Danastasio?

Yeah. I think it's more of the pieces that play into, or make up one's quality of life here. And I think that those are all great examples of what makes Springfield unique, but also, what makes you want to stay here? Why do you stay here in Springfield? I think that for so many individuals there's at least one string that can connect to what we focus on.?

Rhett Roberson?

Yeah, absolutely. You talked about it a little bit already, but maybe from a more personal side, the question is how did you get into this line of work??

Erin Danastasio?

Oh, sure.?

Rhett Roberson?

But is there an example, other than it's kind of been in the family, a philanthropic focus, is there an example you can think of in your life that really drew your interest towards this type of work??

Erin Danastasio?

Yeah. The Darr Family Foundation has been around for over 20 years now. I don't remember the exact year that we started it, but it's something that I've been involved with for a number of years. Growing up I think just I saw my grandfather giving back in so many different ways. Whether it was scholarships to individuals from his hometown. He's from a small town called Ellington, Missouri, so he helps a number of those kids be able to go to college. Specifically, through MSU he's done a lot of work, but then through a number of nonprofits within Springfield and Ellington in particular. I think just being aware of all of that, and all the needs that there are in the area. Being involved with the Darr Family Foundation, I remember at one time thinking "That'd be really fun to be able to be in that role." My uncle was actually in the role at the time, serving as the executive director of Darr Family Foundation, and it just seemed like a really rewarding position to be in. So, I think that's where my passion was, I guess.

When I was working for ADF and IDF, the last couple years while we still had the businesses, I started working with intercompany communications, and we started having a couple of drives for things like back to school supplies, and working on how we can we give back and partner with different communities or different nonprofits. We had, kind of like a Power Hour sort of thing. We purchased all the supplies, then everybody at their home office, and we had about 50 individuals, would come downstairs, and we would pack hygiene kits for a Ronald McDonald Tooth Truck, or for Convoy of Hope, or something along those lines. It's always just been a part of me--this idea of giving back. But like you said, I think it's just something that I've learned through my grandfather and my parents and other examples over time.?

Rhett Roberson?

This next one is a great question for you, because I know at least in your family there's at least two of them. But the question is, who's the best boss or leader you've had the opportunity to work with, and what made them so good? Not to queue up your answer. There are plenty of other ones you're not related to.?

Erin Danastasio?

There are a lot of ones that I'm not related to and really, my grandfather and my dad, neither of them were a direct boss for me personally. So, I will pick a non-family member. As a boss in particular, I would say Stephanie Lynch. She was an individual that I worked under with marketing and some with customer service as well, with ADF and IDF. She knew the path to go down. She knew the questions to be asking. A lot of times, she knew the answers to the questions. She's just such a strong leader and I think to see a female leader in that science and food world in particular, was pretty incredible.?

Rhett Roberson?

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up??

Erin Danastasio?

An actress when I was real young. Yeah, I wanted to be an actress for a long time.?

Rhett Roberson?

Do you ever do any theater??

Erin Danastasio?

A little. Like, Springfield Little Theater camp, that sort of thing. Little Red Riding Hood over here? (Laughs)?

Rhett Roberson?

Okay, Okay! (Laughs)?

Erin Danastasio?

Yeah, I enjoyed singing in high school and just being on stage. In fact, I did dance when I was real little. My mom joked that I never wanted to go to the practices, I just wanted to be on stage and perform. And it was so true. It's funny, because now I really don't enjoy public speaking or any of those things. So, it's good that I didn't follow that dream probably. (Laughs)?

Rhett Roberson?

I'm trying to avoid dance like the plague.?

Erin Danastasio?

Well, fair. (Laughs)?

Rhett Roberson?

You said you're trying to become more of an avid reader. What book has had the most profound impact on you so far??

Erin Danastasio?

I have recently read Kristin Hannah's books The Women and The Nightingale . Are you familiar with her by chance??

Rhett Roberson?

I'm not sure I know the name.?

Erin Danastasio?

She has a long list of books, but both of those have been recent reads of mine that I really, really enjoyed. I am not a history buff whatsoever. History put me to sleep. And I know that that's terrible, but I just couldn't connect with the stories. But she does a ton of research and writes them in such an engaging way that I feel so connected with those characters that she writes about. Both of those stories are about strong women. They just talk about grit and the struggles of those times. One of them is during the Vietnam War, and the other one during World War II. The heartache but also the beauty on the other side of it are really engaging. Long stories, but really good ones.?

Rhett Roberson?

That's the general arc of humanity, right? The heartache tends to be proportional to the beauty. There's my lesson to learn, because the next question is... I'm getting really good at these transitions. Whew. (Both laugh)?

Erin Danastasio?

See, you are going to have to do this for three years and beyond.?

Rhett Roberson?

I'm just calling myself out on how cheesy that transition was. I didn't even mean it to be. (Laughs) What's the most important lesson you've learned so far in life??

Erin Danastasio?

I would say, to dream big and to be okay with change, as well. I am such a planner. I mean, it's annoying how much of a planner I am. You can ask my husband. It's gets a little ridiculous at times. So, I have had to learn to be comfortable with transitions and with change. Even with my job, starting in textiles, then moving to customer service and marketing, and now running a foundation. You have to be okay with that change and just dreaming big, be open minded, I guess.?

Rhett Roberson?

What advice would you have for young people entering the workforce??

Erin Danastasio?

Besides dreaming big... (Laughs) and being okay with change, I would say to just go after your dreams and focus on that, home in on it, and don't be don't be afraid to ask for more. If you're hungry for more, don't be afraid to look out for yourself. I think a lot of individuals can be intimidated to do so.?

Rhett Roberson?

What are you most proud of??

Erin Danastasio?

Personally, or in a professional way??

Rhett Roberson

Yes.

Erin Danastasio

Yeah, both, okay fair. (Laughs) So in my professional world, I'll start there, I started an initiative called Celebrate Springfield a couple years ago. We're in our third year right now. This has been a project that has taken a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. A lot of late nights and emailing and creativity, but it's been a lot of fun. Our mission is simply just to help individuals in Springfield love where they live, and it's a volunteer committee that comes together each year. To see the group that comes together and steps up year after year depending upon our theme for the year, it's just been a lot of fun to see people come together to support it financially, but then also with their time. And to see the community members come out and be able to focus on different areas of Springfield that are wonderful things about Springfield.

Our theme the first year was outdoors. Last year it was arts and culture. This year, we're focused on the attractions of Springfield.? We really just try to remove the barriers that stand in the way of individuals that prevent them from enjoying Springfield to the fullest. Barriers could be monetary, it could be time, lack of know-how, the list goes on. So, creating the website, working on the social media, and just getting full community buy in has been really rewarding. Professionally, I would have to say that. Also the creation of LORE (https://www.ozarkslore.org/ ), which is a new regional group. Initially, Brian Fogle and I kind of started that conversation, and it's taking off. It's exciting to see the collaboration and the excitement around this whole idea of regionalism.

Personally, and not to leave my son, Liam out, but I think I'm going to have to praise the girls here for a minute. My twins, Bri and Olyvia, started what they called the Junior Donation Foundation. They were in, I believe, third grade. They got in the car one day and said, "We want to start our own foundation." At the time, they wanted to buy all the blueberries in the world and give it to cancer patients, because they learned about the benefits of antioxidants at school. Seeing their hearts come through, and wanting to give back in such a really meaningful way is incredible. But now fast forward, we were like, "Okay, that's a great idea, but let's focus on maybe Springfield and what we can do for our community. What are kind of the issues that you want to be able to fix here? Let's focus on that." So they decided, essentially, kids in foster care and pets. Of course. All little kids love animals. So, they have created this organization where it's really about reaching out to other kids and trying to get them involved and also giving back to the community. Specifically through volunteering their time. So we've been able to work with FosterAdopt Connect Springfield , for example, and help them with their Back to School Bash. We'll collect school supplies, coordinate volunteer opportunities for kids to come bag them up in baggies, and then they have a big event where they actually hand them out to the kids. I could go on and on about the different opportunities they have risen to the occasion for. They actually received an award a couple years ago for that, just being recognized for their efforts was really, really cool to see.?

Rhett Roberson?

Yes. That is cool and I can only imagine the pride for your kids doing good stuff so early.

Erin Danastasio?

Yeah, and it was their idea. That's what was even more beautiful about it. It was kind of funny, because with the Darr Family Foundation we have been thinking, "Okay, how can we start to educate the next generation? When do you appropriately do that and how?" I hadn't said anything to them, and then they pop in the car a month later, "Here's what we want to do." That's just really incredible.?

Rhett Roberson?

Yeah, very cool. Last question, my favorite question, how do you hope the world is better for having you??

Erin Danastasio?

Oh, I hope it's brighter. I hope that individuals understand just how to love each other more and how to take care of the earth in a little bit better way. Focusing on the outdoors and taking care of nature. I think if we can get individuals outside a little bit more and enjoying the beauty that we have right here at our fingertips, it is great, but you have to have somebody to share it with. So, I hope I'm encouraging that a little bit more each day.?

Rhett Roberson?

I love that. How can people learn more about the Hatch Foundation??

Erin Danastasio?

So, obviously, we have a website. It is hatchsgf.org . You can follow us on social media, but again, it's just me here, so it's kind of puny. (Laughs) I don't often remember to post about things, but I try. I'm trying to get better about that. If they want to learn more about Celebrate Springfield, I do have a marketing team, and they are a lot better about the social media! We're on Facebook and Instagram. We have a website (https://celebratesgf.com/ ) as well. With our website, we do have a page that's called "Things To Do" where you can use our filters, and it will actually spit out some ideas of things for you to be able to go do outside in Springfield. So that's a lot of fun if anybody's interested in doing that.?

Rhett Roberson?

Cool. Well, that's all I've got for you. I really appreciate you making time this morning.

Erin Danastasio?

Absolutely. Thank you. It was fun.

Books:

The Women - Kristin Hannah

The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah