The Wordsmith: Dara Beevas

Dara Beevas, 42, is the co-founder and co-CEO of Wise Ink, a Minneapolis-based publishing company whose mission is to share powerful stories that ignite change, tolerance, and growth. She is on the board of The Loft Literary Center and 826 MSP, a nonprofit whose mission is to amplify the voices, stories and power of K-12 BIPOC students, as well as a member of the Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable. 

Born and raised in Washington, DC, she followed her (now) husband Tomme, chef and owner of Pimento Jamaican Kitchen and Rum Bar, to Minneapolis. “We were in our early 20s when we met,” said Beevas. 

“He was doing philanthropy work on the nonprofit side when he got a dream job offer to work at Cargill in corporate philanthropy. He couldn’t say no. But said he would only go if I came too. We had been dating for about four years, and I said I’m only coming if we get married.” 

The couple initially thought they would only stay in Minnesota for three to five years but are still here 15 years later. “We have two children, a six-year-old and a 19-month-old. Having kids at an older age, as a CEO it has been for the better because it forced me to set boundaries,” she said. 

“I had to say ‘no’ to things a lot more often and be a lot more intentional with my time. It also just made me a more laser-focused business owner,” she added. 

One of the missions of Wise Ink is to create a safe space for people in the community to talk about their book idea, even if it doesn’t go anywhere. “If anyone in our community—whether it is our elders, activists, healers, nonprofit leaders, busy executives, teachers, doctors—who are out there doing amazing and cool things and feel the slightest tug in their mind to test out an idea, they know Wise Ink is a place that is truly an invested partner. 

“I’m really excited about Wise Ink evolving into a media company. We’re going beyond just book publishing, working with people who need marketing assistance, and working with brands all around storytelling. We don’t want to be a PR company, but rather support authors who need a company that offers everything from marketing to writing to social-media strategy,” she continued. 

“Personally, I want to figure out how to diversify this industry that is still so painfully White. I want to be able to donate more time and money to publishing books by Black and Brown authors and wrap around some kind of reparations model. 

“I also want to figure out a way to make this city safe for my kids and make sure the same opportunities are available to them and all kids. I know it can’t happen in one day, but I’m personally committed to creating change,” she added. 

“Everything is possible when you follow your intuition,” she said. “I think, as women, we are often encouraged to behave, to fall in line, to be likable, to be low maintenance, versus listening to our own voice. 

“I’m encouraging my daughter to listen to her intuition. Know when something doesn’t feel or sound right, even if it’s coming from someone you really respect or admire.”