Dani Squires (BA'16) has always had a big heart for volunteering and supporting her community, but she never imagined the places and the people it would connect her to. Today, she’s the television host of Market Day, and a beloved food and lifestyle content creator in Halifax, NS, experiencing firsthand how promoting and supporting local impacts small business owners.

So, how did she get here?

During her final year of studies at UNB, Dani took a trip to Cape Breton Island to explore the Cabot Trail. What started as a personal catalog of their travels on Yelp, a user-generated reviews website, soon led to more content creation when the brand reached out to with an opportunity to review local restaurants.

Dani says she quickly found herself sharing more of her experiences on Instagram, building a platform that became an authentic space to support local businesses. Today, she runs her social media pages @cravingdani as a side-hobby, while balancing her full-time career in government communications. Her Instagram page has over 40,000 followers and is grounded in her deep desire to support her community and share their stories.

“People are focused on supporting local now more than ever,” she says. “I think we all love our local businesses, but it’s hard to know when they’re struggling. It is a huge honour to provide some sort of platform for people in my community. If I’m talking about something, it’s because I genuinely care about it.”

Dani’s newest endeavor as host of television show Market Day, produced by Nova Scotia telecommunications company Eastlink, has truly brought her full circle.

Premiered in January, the show explores antique and farmers markets across Nova Scotia, while highlighting small businesses and the impact markets have on their communities. From local jewelers to blueberry farms to wool products spun from a family of Nova Scotia sheep, Dani says each episode brings the story and history of local creators to life. And it has only deepened her desire to connect with the community.

“It’s so powerful to see the people behind the products - to know where your food comes from, where your jewelry is made. These aren’t factory-made products. These are real people who are putting their heart and soul into what they create.”

Dani has had a personal connection to markets since childhood and says working on the show has been an incredible way for her to give back to this community. The show’s impact within Nova Scotia has been felt deeply, with several businesses seeing increased recognition and support after being featured.

“We’ve had vendors say that our show is going to change their lives. Just knowing someone cares enough to share their story means so much to them.”

Jumping at the opportunity to host Market Day certainly didn’t come without its challenges. Dani admits that her biggest hurdle has always been her own self-confidence. “The hardest thing is putting yourself out there. Imposter Syndrome is real. But seeing how much we’ve been able to help people makes so proud of what I’m doing and helping accomplish for others.”

Dani says her experiences both as a content creator and as an avid volunteer, have deep roots in her time at UNB. Heavily involved in campus life during her undergraduate degree, Dani served as Harrison House frosh rep and the food and alumni rep, while also volunteering her time at the Sexuality and Health Center among many other student events and initiatives.

It was through these experiences that Dani found her voice as an advocate for mental health, particularly women's rights. In her volunteer work today, she’s raised over $60,000 for the Mental Health Association of Nova Scotia and is a brain-injury survivor representative for Nova Scotia.

“I started my volunteering journey at UNB and I attribute a lot of where I am volunteer-wise and in philanthropy to my time there. UNB really taught me the importance of networking and getting involved. I didn’t realize how powerful those connections were at the time, but looking back, getting involved was the best advice I’ve ever received.”

Dani’s connections to UNB certainly go beyond her time on campus. She remains in contact with many of her professors and fellow students, and she’s incredibly proud to be an alumna. But what she describes as most ‘beautiful’ are the UNB connections she’s continued to make through her work on Market Day and in the community - noting that every episode she’s filmed has included someone with ties to UNB.

“To have a following of people who went to UNB makes me feel at home in a way. The connections lead you to so many different stories and my UNB connection is something I’ve always held close to my heart.”

Through her work, Dani has found a unique way to blend her passion for local businesses, her love for storytelling, and her commitment to supporting her community. Whether it’s through her Instagram account, her television show, or her personal volunteer work, Dani Squires is inspiring others, fostering community connections and making a difference —one local business at a time.