Danielle Scheven’s entrepreneurial spirit was sparked at a young age, inspired by her parents’ success in business and her evolving dreams of launching various ventures. While her vision shifted over the years, her passion for running her own business remained constant, leading her to choose UBC Okanagan’s Bachelor of Management program for its versatile foundation. The program allowed her to explore different pathways before specializing in marketing, preparing her to co-own Carolily, a statement jewelry brand rooted in love, self-expression, and family, with her mother, Donna. Danielle encourages others to pursue their dreams boldly, emphasizing that there’s never a “perfect” time to start—just speak your intentions and take the first step.
Q: What drew you to the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO?
A: Since I was a kid, I knew that I was meant for entrepreneurship. I watched both of my parents grow successful businesses and remember wanting to open a dog washing company when I was 5 or 6. I considered opening a law firm, a psychiatric clinic and various other ideas over the years. While I knew I’d run my own business one day, I wasn’t quite sure what that would look like. I chose the Bachelor of Management program knowing it would give me the foundation I needed to pursue whatever business ventures my future held.
Q: What were some of your biggest takeaways from the program?
A: My biggest takeaway was actually in the form of a class presentation during my fourth year. A prominent business-owner came to speak to us and I introduced myself to him at the end of his presentation, asking if I could take him to coffee and pick his brain. We met at Starbucks and he was so impressed with the initiative I took that he called a business colleague right then and there to say that they should hire me. After an interview the following week, they did! It was the first marketing agency I worked for.
Q: What was the most rewarding part of the program?
A: I found getting a job prior to even graduating rewarding and extremely gratifying. There are differing opinions about the value post-secondary offers, but the skills I learned translated into a position that paid more than any of my friends were earning at the time!
Q: What advice or insight would you give to a prospective student considering this program?
A: I think the Management program is a great foundation whether you know exactly what you want to do or are still on the fence. The first year is fairly general and it will give you the
opportunity to figure out what you want to lean into. You get to pick a specialization in the second half of the program and that’s when I focused my time on marketing.
Q: What is your current occupation and how did you get there?
A: My Mom Donna and I are the proud owners of Carolily, a statement jewelry brand deeply rooted in love, self expression and family. Mom is a multi-faceted artist and our design visionary, and I use my background in digital marketing to drive sales through marketing and the wholesale side of the business. After UBCO, I got my start in the digital agency world and have worked at the majority of major agencies in town. I learned to be scrappy and wore ALL the hats. When we started Carolily in 2015, I did both. I had a full-time job and worked on Carolily in the evenings and weekends. After a number of years, I was able to transition away from my day job and focus entirely on growing Carolily. I still wear many, many hats and wouldn’t be able to do half of what I do without my agency background.
Q: What inspired you to start the jewelry drive?
A: Since Carolily’s inception, we have worked with countless local and national charities that are women-centric and have a positive impact on our communities. Last year, we started the Carolily Jewelry Drive in support of Mamas for Mamas as a way to get our local community more involved with our charitable initiatives. Everyone has been so excited to put their gently used jewelry to good use and know it’s having a positive impact on a local mama.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of the jewelry drive?
A: The excitement and support for the Jewelry Drive has been overwhelming! We had a goal of collecting 300 pieces last year and wound up with over 2000. It was incredible. This year, we hope to match that number.
Q: Do you have any career advice you’d like to share?
A: The best advice I can give is to start whatever it is you’re dreaming about, and to ask for what you want. There will never be a “perfect” time for anything so you may as well speak your intentions and start working toward making them happen!
Q: What are your future career goals?
A: We want to grow Carolily to the point of being able to donate 5 figures to our charity partners, employ a bigger team of women, and spread the Carolily love worldwide. I see an expansion into lifestyle and tea products down the road, something both Mom and I love. P.S. We are hiring and have a job posting on the UBCO job board!
Q: Do you have anything else you would like to share?
A: For all things jewelry, styling and community- https://www.instagram.com/carolily_jewelry/
For my life of jewelry, horses and fashion- https://www.instagram.com/daniellescheven/
Our website- carolily.com
