Street Style: Meet Dan Simons of Founding Farmers
Dan Simons talks often and passionately about mental health in the workplace. When I ask what made this a priority for him, he doesn’t hesitate.
“It’s just the way I was raised. I was fortunate to grow up in a good home and have great relationships with my parents. I’m the youngest of four, and we always took care of each other through thick and thin. So when I started managing teams, it just made sense. If I wanted my team to perform at their best, we needed to support each other. And that means supporting the whole human being.”
He continues, “People say you should leave your problems at the door when you get to work. That’s ridiculous. It’s not even possible—like leaving your left leg at the door.”
Dan leads by example. “I’m really open about whatever I’m struggling with. When my dad had a stroke 15 years ago, I couldn’t perform my best at work. I told my team, ‘I’m here today, but my head isn’t.’ It’s not about being vulnerable; it’s about being honest. Role modeling helps normalize these conversations. One person shares, then someone else, and over time, it builds a culture.”
At Founding Farmers, mental health care is part of the package. Employees have access to free support and a mental health app. “Talking about it makes it normal.”
Dan Simons
Photography: Renée C. Gage Photography
Shoot location: Founding Farmers Alexandria
One moment that caught my attention was seeing Dan speak on NBC4 Washington, about the importance of raising awareness for menopause in the workplace.
“I saw my wife, Suzi, go through it. We talked about it, and I watched her not feel like herself. I was shocked by how little expertise there is in healthcare around one of the most predictable aspects of women’s health. It’s guaranteed to happen.”
Again, Dan zeroes in on the silence surrounding the topic. “To perform our best at work, we need to educate women before they get there, and we need to educate men. I saw the physical and mental challenges up close. If Susie and I, with access to care and open communication, found it hard, imagine those who have no one to talk to.”
His perspective is rooted in his upbringing. “My mom was a doctor and a women's health specialist. Those seeds were planted early.”
Dan co-created and co-owns Farmers Restaurant Group, which includes eight Founding Farmers restaurants in DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The company supports more than 1,500 employees and continues to grow, with a catering arm, a direct-to-consumer platform in the works, and a distillery: Founding Spirits.
That distillery is more than a profit center. It’s part of a larger vision to rethink supply chains and sustainability.
“In the typical restaurant model, you buy alcohol from a supplier. You don’t really know what’s in it or where it came from. Take gin, for example: the glass might be made in China, shipped to the UK, filled with gin, shipped to the U.S., and then the bottle is thrown away after one use.”
Dan and his team wanted to do better. “We learned to distill ourselves, using American-made glass and cardboard, American-grown ingredients, and no additives. The only spirit we import is tequila, because real tequila can only come from Mexico.”
Their in-house bottling and blending means a lower carbon footprint — and a better bottom line.
“People ask how we can afford to offer mental health care,” he says. “It’s a business decision. Having our own distillery is more profitable than buying Tanqueray.”
Dan champions sustainability without preaching or pretending to be perfect.
“I believe we’re all responsible for how we affect the world around us — our friends, strangers, community, the environment. It should never be acceptable to throw trash out a car window. And when you see how much food waste your business creates, you have to stop and think: shouldn’t we be composting that?”
His team thinks about every detail—from building materials to partnerships with like-minded farmers.
“Call it karma or just intention. It’s about doing a little more to reduce harm. No one’s perfect. We still have some single-use plastics. But there’s no litmus test. Just be intentional. Do less harm.”
Dan is equally intentional at home. “I studied at GW, lived all over the country, and fell in love with a girl from Maryland.” He and Suzi have been married for 24 years and have three sons: Cooper, Oliver, and Finn—ages 21, 19, and 16.
“Suzi’s an artist and entrepreneur. The boys have all worked in the restaurants during high school. My youngest was scraping gum off tables at age eight, but you learn a lot in this business…about teamwork, service, people. Food is our family glue.”
They travel often, and with three athletes in the family, sports and exercise are always part of the plan. Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia is a favorite getaway, with wakeboarding, waterskiing, and their Portuguese water dog along for the ride.
The newest Founding Farmers location is in Alexandria, their eighth. “It feels like nine because we also have a full-service catering and events company,” he says. “We may add another in Virginia or Maryland, maybe even Delaware. We’re trying to be awesome, not huge. Growth just means more farmer-grown product we can buy.”
And the desserts? I had a donut once at Founding Farmers, and it was the best donut I’ve ever had.
Dan laughs when I share this, and credits his partner Michael and Chef Chelsea. “Place our donut next to a Dunkin’ one and read the ingredients. Ours are made from scratch, with no preservatives. We want our desserts to be recognizable, nostalgic, and the best thing you’ve ever tasted.”
Check, check.
And check out Dan’s Street Style (and his podcast, Founding DC):
ABOUT DAN
Neighborhood: Garrett Park, MD
What is your hometown? Lynnfield, MA
What would surprise people about you? My parents were immigrants to the U.S., and I have tri-citizenship – USA, UK and Austria.
Favorite book or movie: My favorite book is always changing, right now it’s Where the Crawdads Sing.
Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate. I love good chocolate, especially Founding Farmers chocolate :)
Latest binge-watch: Tehran on Apple TV.
Bucket list travel destination: Singapore
STYLE
Define your style in three words or less: Generally needs help. Kidding (sort of). Laid back, classic, approachable.
The go-to piece in your wardrobe: My heavily worn Mavi jeans. They’re comfortable and polished!
Favorite trend: There are trends?
Beauty product you can’t live without: M-61 moisturizer from Blue Mercury.
Boots, dress shoes or sneakers? Boots! (in the winter),and I love a cool pair of sneakers in the summer.
WELLNESS
Go-to way to de-stress: I love playing with Kobe, my dog. It gets me active and helps me unwind.
Most fun way to stay active: My combo of water and sports!
Wellness goal: Being vibrant in my 90s so I can play with my future grandchildren.
Want to try: I am trying to push myself to try new exercises, like sprinting and working on my swimming.
Proudest wellness achievement: Over five years ago, I suffered a life-altering concussion. In the weeks that followed, I struggled to focus, read, or analyze anything at work. Recovery was slow and unpredictable, and I had to relearn how to trust my brain again. I eventually got better, thanks to Dr. Melissa Womble and her incredible team at Inova. That experience completely reshaped how I view mental health—especially in the workplace—and it turned me into a mental health advocate. My proudest wellness achievement is being able to bring that perspective and support to others.
HOME
Favorite room in your home: The Kitchen
Antiques, modern, or a mix? Modern all the way!
Last item bought for your home: Likely a kitchen gadget or new appliance —something having to do with food or cooking - are you sensing a theme here yet?
Favorite way to entertain: Fireplace, food, friends!
Clutter-free or well-lived in? Clutter-free
Next planned purchase: An outdoor shower.
ALEXANDRIA
What do you love about Alexandria Stylebook? I love the in-depth interviews with local biz leaders and entrepreneurs! It’s fun to learn more about the local community in a bite-sized way.
Favorite spot in Alexandria: Aside from Founding Farmers?!
Your go-to shop: Does the Torpedo Factory count?
Best food spot: Stracci Pizza
Favorite local organization: Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
Annual Alexandria event you most look forward to: Alexandria Restaurant Week—Founding Farmers Alexandria is participating this year too!
