Most people call contractors to solve their home’s quirky storage problems. Danie Berger picks up power tools instead. When faced with the odd nooks and limited space of her tiny apartment, she didn’t see obstacles. She saw opportunities to create. This practical problem-solving approach launched her from behind-the-scenes digital producer to the face of “DIY in Progress,” a YouTube channel where viewers tune in every Saturday morning for what many describe as “their adult version of Saturday morning cartoons.”

“I love building. It’s always been part of my DNA to use my hands,” Danie says. “My goal is to share my magic so people feel confident to share theirs. When they see me struggle and still come out on top, they’ll think, ‘She did it, so I can do it too.’”

For Danie, DIY began as a practical response to living conditions many can relate to – tiny apartments with storage challenges and unusual architectural features. “I got into woodworking in my 20s because I was living in tiny apartments with weird nooks and never had enough storage,” she recalls. “I couldn’t find store-bought solutions that worked for my quirky spaces.”

These limitations sparked creativity rather than frustration. Instead of accepting her space constraints, Danie began creating custom solutions. “I started DIYing my way through problems, and at first, my builds weren’t great,” she admits. “My skills weren’t what they are today, but I solved my problems through DIY.”

Before launching her own channel, Danie worked as a digital producer creating content for others. “I was always producing in the digital space. Lots of DIY and home content,” she says. Her first opportunity to step in front of the camera came unexpectedly. “We were looking for a DIY host, couldn’t find one, and someone pushed me to do it.” The experience lit a spark. “After sharing my creativity and seeing people’s reactions, it was like a fire in my belly.”

When Danie launched her YouTube channel in 2019, she brought a distinct approach. “My goal was to put story first,” she says. “You can teach people how to do things without spelling out every step. Entertaining them was my priority. I call it DIYtainment – giving people a show every Saturday morning to watch.”

Her philosophy stems from the idea that every home has unique challenges. “We’re solving problems that are so specific to our own homes,” she notes. “It wasn’t about showing my solution; it was about taking viewers on the journey so they’d feel confident solving their own.”

Success Beyond Views and Likes

While many creators obsess over subscriber counts and views, Danie watches a different metric. “The biggest thing I track is retention,” she says. “How long are people watching? When do they drop off?”

That data helps her refine her storytelling across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. “If people leave in the middle, we’re probably getting too chatty or slow,” Danie notes, adding that by prioritizing engagement over clicks, she keeps viewers coming back week after week.

Behind the Scenes: The Reality of Content Creation

The polished videos that viewers see every Saturday hide the work behind them. “People underestimate how hard it is to create stories alone,” Danie says. “You’re one person doing the job of 15.”

Her process starts with inspiration. “If I force a project I don’t care about, it shows on camera,” she says. Once inspired, she researches and creates moodboards and scripts before filming.

After building and filming, she collaborates with an editor. “I don’t edit my own videos anymore. No time for that,” she says. “I used to, but once I earned enough, I hired someone. Now I write a loose script and work with my editor through revisions until it’s ready.”

Brand Partnerships

As her channel grew, Danie developed a clear approach to brand deals. “I hate to use the word authenticity, but I will, because I think that it is an important thing when it comes to brands and working with brands that do authentically feel right,” she says.

She’s selective, prioritizing audience trust. “I say no to a lot that doesn’t fit,” she says. “I don’t want to break that trust. Once it’s gone, it’s over.”

When choosing partnerships, Danie looks for alignment with her DIY focus. “Anything that helps people be creative,” she says. Her dream collaborations include “a paint line,” “tools designed for women,” or “furniture add-ons for embellishment.”

The Garage Project: Building From the Ground Up

Among her many projects, her garage and studio build stands out. When she and her husband couldn’t afford full-time contractors, they took on most of the work themselves.

“We helped to prepare the foundation and basic structure,” Danie says. “After that, my husband and I did everything: the floor, siding, roof, insulation, and metal exterior. I learned so much about what it takes to build a house.”

The result is a three-bay garage with a studio above. “I built my dream space with my own two hands, which makes it even more special,” she says. The studio is her office and crafting space, while the workshop below handles larger projects.

The project deepened her respect for construction fundamentals. “It makes you appreciate the little things,” she says. “I learned what’s inside your walls matters more than what’s on them. I never thought I’d say that, but it’s true.”

Professional Support: The Role of Management

To manage the business side of her work, Danie is represented by Sophie Thompson-Gray at the UK-based agency, Ziggurat XYZ. “Having management gives you space between you and the brand,” she says.

That separation helps her focus creatively. “Negotiating money and contracts can strain what matters – the creative output,” she says. Management also ensures creators know their worth. “Even if you only have a thousand followers, those are a thousand committed people.”

Beyond business, she values teamwork. “It’s nice not to feel alone,” she says. “It creates a team dynamic. We’re all working toward the same goal.”

New Directions in DIY

After six years of content creation, Danie continues to find inspiration and progress. “I’ve been doing more renovation diary series, going back to my roots,” she says. The goal: to show the journey, not just the result. “Focusing on big reveals wasn’t realistic. I wanted people to come along for the ride.”

She’s also looking ahead to the completion of her workshop in 2026, which will open up new creative possibilities. “I’m trying to stay present and focus on the small things,” she says. “I’m excited to explore what it looks like to design my own furniture instead of recreating others’.”

Through her career as a content creator, Danie has learned to trust her instincts. “It’s okay to look up to others,” she says. “But you have to trust your gut and your creativity.”

For aspiring creators, her advice is simple: “Don’t do it for money. Do it because you love it. When it comes from passion, people see it, and your audience will come.”

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