I dare you.

 One of my earliest memories is standing on our balcony in Lebanon (the country, not the town in Pennsylvania). Looking onto the street below, I could see myself—really see myself—walking down the street with a briefcase. A businesswoman.

Flash forward to 2006. I was working at a company in Rochester, NY, setting up and testing 401k plans. A businesswoman. Still, not quite what I had envisioned in my eight-year-old mind. I wanted my life to advance, not retire!

That was the moment that I dared.

On November 13, 2007, I opened the original Dado on Park Avenue in Rochester. The one image that came to mind when I thought about my logo was my favorite picture of my mother. In it, she’s 16 years old, standing up as a witness at my aunt’s wedding. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. And the strongest. Everything she touches, she excels at. She is a tough lady to live up to. She dares, every single day.

My sister Mimi has been there since the beginning. My Henry, too. I don’t know what I would do without them. They dare me to go places and do things I never thought I would.

We women are so complicated. We’re like snowflakes. Each fragile and beautiful in our own way. Each a mix of insecurity and strength. And we are all way too hard on ourselves! Sometimes I wonder what would happen if we dared just a little to believe in ourselves just a little more.

In 2011, I opened Dado on Monroe and Clover. Grab a Starbucks and come in. Look around. Relax. Take your time. I promise I won’t bite! Try something new. Nothing makes me happier than when you find something you love...and it loves you back. Not sure about something? Don’t worry. We can always set it aside. See if it haunts you. After all, tomorrow is another day. And another chance to dare.

Go for it.