Exploring Life & Business with Danielle Holmes of Abracadabra Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Holmes.

Hi Danielle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I came to Colorado in 2016 through a scholarship for survivors of domestic violence. What made this scholarship remarkable was that it provided more than just help with tuition. It also contributed to my living expenses, which gave me the confidence and courage to finally step away from an environment where I was constantly held back. That support made it possible for me to build a new beginning from the ground up.

I began my education at Front Range Community College, where I transferred a few credits and started to truly discover my love for academics. At the same time, I worked multiple jobs to stay afloat. It was not easy, but the community around me created opportunities that opened doors I never would have been able to walk through on my own. Government programs, nonprofits, and schools all came together in a way that helped me stay on the path forward.

When the time came to pursue my bachelor’s degree, I faced a major decision. If I became a full-time student, I could qualify for more scholarships and leadership opportunities, but it meant taking a leap of faith. With encouragement from mentors who believed in me, I decided to go all in. That choice changed everything. I not only succeeded academically, but I also discovered leadership in myself that I did not know was there. I went on to serve as student body president and later chaired a federal Census Complete Count Committee for the Auraria Campus.

When the pandemic struck, I once again had to adapt. I found a unique accelerated program in Public Administration at the University of Colorado Denver. In just one year, I completed my master’s degree, and with it came clarity about what I wanted to do next. I knew I wanted to give back to the community that had carried me through my most difficult times.

Education and community support transformed me from someone simply trying to survive into someone who could lead, create, and give back. That journey inspired me to build Abracadabra Consulting, a business dedicated to helping nonprofits strengthen their capacity and amplify their impact. The work brings me immense joy because it allows me to serve alongside dedicated people who are also working to create meaningful change.

Looking ahead, I feel called to do even more. I am currently working on a book that will share my story in greater depth. My hope is that it will help others who have faced similar struggles find strength, direction, and a sense of possibility. Just as the community here helped me stand tall, I want to reach back and help others rise.

My life has been shaped by resilience, opportunity, and the generosity of people who believed in me at every turn. Today, through my business and my writing, I am committed to being that source of support for others.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. In fact, my life has been shaped by challenge after challenge. I grew up inside institutions from a young age, and by the time I reached adulthood, the odds were stacked heavily against me. I was pregnant before 20, a survivor of domestic violence, and carried nearly every statistic you can think of for someone who had been institutionalized so young: poverty, trauma, housing instability, food insecurity, health struggles, and the weight of stigma that seemed to follow me everywhere.

For much of my life, I did not have access to the basics that so many people take for granted. I often did not know where my next meal would come from or where I would sleep at night. Healthcare was out of reach. When you live in survival mode, your world becomes very small. You are limited to the most immediate needs such as food, shelter, and safety. There is no space to dream, to plan, or even to imagine a different future. That was the reality I lived in for many years.

Finding housing stability in Colorado changed everything. Through a scholarship and the support of community programs, I was finally able to feel safe enough to start thinking about something beyond just getting through the day. Having that stability unlocked my potential and gave me the courage to believe I could build a different kind of life.

The challenges were not only financial. At one point, I weighed over 300 pounds and struggled with mobility issues that severely limited my independence. Eventually, I underwent two major surgeries that transformed my health. While I am still striving toward my goals, today I am healthier and stronger than I ever believed possible. Access to that kind of care should never depend on your zip code, but unfortunately, it often does. I am deeply grateful that I was finally able to receive the treatment I needed.

It took years to rebuild trust in myself and in others. I spent a long time believing my past had already determined my future, and I did not know who or what I could count on. What changed everything was the network of people and programs that lifted me up when I needed it most. They helped me see that my story was not over, and that I had more to give than I realized.

That is why I now feel compelled to share my journey. I know there are others out there who feel trapped in cycles of abuse, poverty, and instability, the way I once did. If my story can help even one person see that they are not beyond hope, that resources exist, and that a different future is possible, then everything I went through has purpose.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Abracadabra Consulting is rooted in the belief that real change happens when community voices are heard, valued, and included in the process. We specialize in helping nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and agencies strengthen their capacity through training, facilitation, program design, and community engagement strategies. Our work is known for weaving equity, cultural humility, and lived experience into practical solutions that help organizations better serve diverse populations.

What sets Abracadabra Consulting apart is the combination of lived expertise and professional training, understanding both the barriers individuals face and the systems that can support or hinder their success. We bring a trauma-informed and language justice lens to every project, ensuring that services and outreach are accessible and inclusive.

Brand-wise, we are most proud of being a bridge builder, connecting organizations to the tools, strategies, and voices that help them create meaningful and lasting impact. We want readers to know that our offerings are hands-on and collaborative. We do not just design plans; we walk alongside partners to implement them successfully.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Perseverance. That is the word that comes to mind when I think about success. And I use the word “success” loosely, because to me, it isn’t something you ever truly obtain. It’s a moving target. There will always be room to grow, always more to learn, always another step to take.

I’ll be the first to admit that I still have a wild streak. What keeps me steady, though, is persistence. Life has taught me that nobody else is going to show up for me. I’ve had to show up for myself every day, every minute, every second. That’s the choice we all face. To keep going, to pick ourselves up when we fall, and to believe that we’re worth better. Whatever it is you want to accomplish, you can. But you’ve got to be relentless about showing up.

For me, perseverance has taken many forms, but one of the clearest examples is my pursuit of homeownership. I transitioned from Section 8 housing to buying my own home, a path that wasn’t supposed to be mine, but I made it so. That’s what persistence does. It carves a way forward, just like water. Water doesn’t ask the rock which way it’s allowed to go. It simply finds a way, around, under, over, or straight through. Think about the Grand Canyon. Billions of years of rock carved away by persistence. That is the power of perseverance.

I know firsthand how fragile life is, how quickly we can slide back into old places. That’s why I don’t take any of this for granted. I keep marching. I keep showing up. Perseverance is not glamorous, but it’s steady, and it’s what has carried me through every obstacle I’ve faced. Success may never be fully tangible, but perseverance is. If you keep inching forward, no matter how many times you stumble, you will see results. Don’t give up. Be like water.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.abracadabraconsulting.com