DOTDOTSMILE
When you break it down, DotDotSmile’s origin story goes a little something like this: gratitude + faith + action + support +… a smiley face = A dream come true for Nicole and her family!
GRATITUDE
From blessings came clarity. Nicole was writing in her gratitude journal one evening in February 2013. She and her family were living with her parents at the time, which isn’t exactly where she thought her life would be, but that didn’t keep her from seeing the beauty that surrounded her. As she sat, noting all she was grateful for, she felt an undeniable prompting from God to start a children’s clothing line focused on helping children create smiles and build confidence.
FAITH
Acting on inspiration, faith, and the support of her family, Nicole made a trip to LA’s garment district the very next day. She emptied her family’s modest savings into fabric, which would soon become the first DotDotSmile release.
ACTION
Nicole comes from a family of entrepreneurs, so she didn’t hesitate to set her plan into motion immediately. This meant setting up social accounts, securing a business domain, and having garments created and delivered. Action can be scary, but dreams go nowhere without it.
SUPPORT
Nicole’s husband Jeff has been her right-hand man from day one. They’re in this together. Such unconditional support has made all the difference.
A SMILE
“Dot. Dot. Smile.” These words came from Nicole and Jeff's daughter as she practiced drawing a smiley face. The proud parents had the moment on video. One evening, as they sat and watched the quick flick on repeat, an idea hit Jeff like a bolt of electricity. “That’s what we call it,” he exclaimed. “DOT DOT SMILE!” The name felt a perfect fit and cleared the way for introducing their idea to the world.
DotDotSmile
From humble beginnings, touching moments of clarity, and some seriously scrappy business hustle, DotDotSmile quickly went from an idea in a gratitude journal to becoming a staple in many little's closets.