Blending Heart & Hustle — Coco and Breezy Dotson

Heroine

My guests on this week’s episode are the definition of hustle. Coco and Breezy Dotson, twin designers & founders of Coco and Breezy Eyewear, are no strangers to hard work. Growing up in a mainly white Midwestern suburb, the twins relied on each other for companionship throughout their childhood. Coco and Breezy developed a unique fashion sense that set them apart from other kids, and experienced bullying and exclusion while in school. Rather than allow the bullying to keep them down, the twins used it to inspire their love for stylish eyewear. They sold their first pairs of glasses on Myspace, where they built an extensive following. By the time the twins turned 17, they held three jobs to support their family.
In this inspiring interview, Coco and Breezy share their early lessons in entrepreneurship. Through their own personal examples, we learn why failure is necessary, and how we even should embrace failure as an opportunity for growth.
Show Notes
- Coco and Breezy share stories from their creative, active, curious childhood and what it’s like to grow up with a twin
- How they had to assimilate to whiteness growing up in a mostly white Midwestern suburb
- Being bullied, left out, misunderstood, and without a community meant the twins had only each other to rely on during their school years
- The bullying they experienced in school inspired their love for eyewear
- The twins posted photos of their unique, stylish outfits on Myspace and created a community of followers online
- Working three jobs by the age of 17 to support their family
- Making their first eyewear sales through Myspace, and then traveling to New York wearing their creations
- The twins share difficult lessons they learned in their early years of entrepreneurship
- How they feel excited by the opportunity to solve a challenge because it pushes them out of their comfort zones
- After spending the last of their money on a defective order, they saw the chance to make changes in their lives and business
- Learning how to run a more efficient business as two individuals, rather than as one person
- Why failure is necessary and something we all experience, especially if we’re willing to get uncomfortable
References
Coco & Breezy - https://cocoandbreezy.com
Coco & Breezy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cocoandbreezy
Coco & Breezy Eyewear - https://www.instagram.com/cocoandbreezyeyewear
Break the Good Girl Myth - https://majomolfino.com/book