Dance Happy Champions Purposeful Employment and Artisan Quality
- Dance Happy Champions Purposeful Employment and Artisan Quality Devin Thorpe 26:02
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Devin: What is your superpower?
Emily: I am fearless, truly. I think anyone who’s an entrepreneur has to have kind of some sense of fearlessness, because it’s a hard job. It’s a scary job.
Creating a job for someone with Down syndrome is more than just good business—it’s transformative. Emily Scott, co-founder of Dance Happy, shared her journey of building a thriving business alongside her partner, Julia, a woman with Down syndrome and the brand’s lead pattern designer.
“Julia is so proud of everything that she does here. Dance Happy was her North Star during chemotherapy. She just wanted to get back to work,” Emily explained.
Founded in 2016, Dance Happy produces artisan-quality accessories like tote bags and pillows, all hand-cut, printed, and sewn, with 90% of production in the U.S. Julia’s creativity is at the heart of the operation, with her hand-drawn designs driving the collection. Their dedication to quality has led to impressive partnerships, including Nordstrom, Madewell, and QVC. In fact, Dance Happy became the first Down syndrome founder brand carried by Nordstrom.
The company is raising capital via Honeycomb Credit to scale its impact. Emily envisions a future where Dance Happy creates “more purposeful employment for people who have disabilities” in an inclusive setting. She described her dream of a larger facility that fosters integration: “We don’t want to just create jobs for people with disabilities; we want an inclusive environment where everyone works together.”
Dance Happy’s mission goes beyond profits. It’s about showing the world what’s possible when businesses embrace inclusion and creativity. As Emily dreams of making Dance Happy a household name, she remains committed to growing the team and maintaining the quality that has defined their success.
Check out this remarkable business and investment opportunity at Honeycomb Credit.
tl;dr:
* Dance Happy’s co-founders, Emily and Julia, create artisan-quality handcrafted products with purpose-driven employment.
* Julia, a woman with Down syndrome, leads pattern design and inspires inclusivity through her work.
* Dance Happy collaborates with major retailers like Nordstrom and QVC while maintaining high-quality craftsmanship.
* Emily’s fearlessness drives bold actions, from cold-pitching influencers to securing impactful partnerships.
* The company is raising funds on Honeycomb Credit to expand opportunities for people with disabilities.
How to Develop Fearlessness As a Superpower
Emily embodies fearlessness, a critical trait for entrepreneurial success. Her willingness to step into the unknown without a safety net allows her to take bold actions, push boundaries, and seize opportunities, even in the face of rejection or uncertainty. This mindset has propelled her and her co-founder, Julia, to scale Dance Happy into a thriving business with a mission of inclusivity and purpose.
Emily shared how fearlessness fueled Dance Happy’s breakthrough moments. For instance, she cold-pitched Adam Glassman of Oprah Daily at a trade show despite knowing the odds were slim. Her fearless approach paid off, as Dance Happy has since achieved notable recognition, including becoming the first Down syndrome founder brand carried by Nordstrom. These leaps of faith exemplify Emily’s commitment to her vision and her belief in the mission of creating meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities.
Tips for Developing Fearlessness:
* Practice Facing Rejection: Embrace each “no” as a step toward a “yes” and an opportunity to grow resilience.
* Pursue Meaningful Goals: Focus on missions and dreams that ignite your passion and drive.
* Take Bold Actions: Put yourself in situations that push your boundaries, like cold-pitching or applying for ambitious opportunities.
* Reframe Failure: See setbacks as learning experiences rather than deterrents.
* Adopt a Growth Mindset: Remember that persistence and practice can lead to success over time.
By following Emily Scott’s example and advice, you can make fearlessness a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Emily Scott (she/her):
Co-founder and CEO, Dance Happy
About Dance Happy: Social impact accessories brand that creates artisan quality textile goods and purposeful employment for people with disabilities.
Instagram Handle: @dance.happy.designs
Website: dancehappydesigns.com
Company Facebook Page: fb.com/DanceHappyDesigns
Other URL: honeycombcredit.com/campaigns/Dance-Happy
Biographical Information: Emily is the co-founder and CEO of Dance Happy and one of Julia’s closest friends. Emily has a BA in Business Management and has always had a passion for having her own business, the first of which she started when she was only 17 years old. Now, with almost 2 decades of experience and several businesses under her belt, Emily has found her true calling in the work that she does at Dance Happy. Emily sees a bigger vision of building out a brand that purposefully creates jobs for others with Down syndrome so that everyone employed has a workplace where they are doing tasks they enjoy and are focused on their strengths, they are valued just as they are, and they thrive. Emily has been an avid sewist since she was 5 years old and can still be found sewing some of the products that are sold on Dance Happy’s website. A wearer of many hats, Emily spends her days doing anything and everything for Dance Happy–and she loves it. Emily is proud to be a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow.
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/emily-scott-78193958/
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