Doll & Dollhouse

QUESTION: in which way(s) do you most seek power in your life?

Comment below what gives you a sense of power 🔥⚡️!

I am totally against the age-old adage that “relationships require sacrifice,” whether in the workplace, in love, family, home life, etc.

In my experience (witnessing others + in my own life), one of the biggest causes of burnout and resentment in anything “relational”  can actually be due to the gray area that relationships often encompass: the area of give and take. The area of compromise.

I often hear people say, “I don’t reallyyyy want to do it / it’s not who I am, but I feel like I need to… to make Blah Blah happy, to keep my job, to avoid an argument…”

A prominent lesson that I’ve learned - in almost all areas of my life - is to never bend on my core values, and to compromise only on matters that don’t interfere with those values.

Our core values are our deepest beliefs & motivations that act as our inner compass, guiding us through challenges, decision-making, and interactions with others. They determine our priorities, boundaries, time & energy exchanged, decisions, & how we show up for each other.

They might change over time, but they have become non-negotiable for me when it comes to how I set up my life.

The more similar / compatible our core values, the more we can COMPROMISE (as what is being compromised is not those values but the way we express them). And we can do so comfortably, intimately, & harmoniously.

IMO, figuring out those values is the hardest part (as is practicing staying loyal to those values). I found this quiz that’s super interesting and might help, if you’re looking to strengthen that inner compass of yours - please go to our website’s doll diaries, click on post & link is there!



I take this lesson with me as I build Doll & Dollhouse and form partnerships with others - if we’re a fit, great! If we’re not, there’s no need!

💗 What is one part of yourself you’ve learned to hide because you thought it would be judged?

Anyone on the entrepreneurial path will likely face rejection, again & again & again & again. Many entrepreneurs will tell you: “My brand is ME.” Work is no longer just a job.. it’s our entire lifestyle, personality, life experiences, and interests wrapped in one and presented to the world for judgement.

It can be a vulnerable process. I’ve had people tell me they don’t like my brand because “doll” sounds demeaning or irrelevant. I’ve had groups of haters on TikTok rally against me for sharing my genuine opinions, back when I was running my last small business. I’ve had strangers online tell me that I’d be “much prettier if I smiled more.”

Many times, I doubted myself and my decisions, thinking that maybe I’m just “too much” or that I need to “shape up” because I don’t seem to fit any mold.

Those moments of judgement, scrutiny, unanswered emails, and flat out “no”s never feel good. But rejection is a normal part of any journey where we are putting ourselves out there.

Remember: the ones who judge are the ones who have never *authentically* put themselves out there. Because those who have, they know that it takes courage to show up as our true selves and be rejected, than to never have tried at all.

It’s okay to not be everyone’s cup of tea… As long as we accept ourselves for who we are, we don’t need anyone else’s approval.

The small business path has helped me develop thick skin, learn to welcome rejection as a normal & healthy part of being a human being, and has taught me to find the balance between welcoming feedback and standing up -UNCONDITIONALLY - for who I am at my core.

🙅🏻‍♀️ Don’t be afraid to stand up against or walk away from anyone who abuses their position of power, especially in the workplace (a place where we spend most of our time).

My personal story in a nutshell:
I had a manager who gave me a promotion - it was great news! They then followed it up with gossip about everyone in the company and hinted that they’d fire me if I told anyone what they said. I do enjoy my fair share of gossip not gonna lie, but don’t threaten me dude…So I did indeed tell everyone, wrote a report to the (very passive) HR team, and refused to work. I got laid off.

And that was the blessing in disguise that gave me the motivation to start living nomadically and pursue my own business dreams!

IN ANY ROOM YOU STEP INTO, YOU DESERVE THE ABSOLUTE BEST. If you’re not getting the best, find a different room where you’ll be treated as such.

It can be really hard to walk away:
- fear of survival / job loss
- fear of being judged by coworkers who are used to that type of work culture
- fear of being isolated at work
- fear of retaliation
- fear of not finding anything better

And maybe the biggest one of them all:
- doubting your own gut feelings and being afraid to do the “wrong thing”

^ I personally don’t believe anything is inherently “right” or “wrong.” I just try to measure if something feels “good for me” or “not good for me,” and then act accordingly, which helps to erase any doubts when I’m trying to make decisions for myself.

You’re a queen / king. If something doesn’t feel good for you, walk away and trust that your refusal to settle for less than what you deserve will bring better things into your life.

💖 In which ways are you EXCLUSIVE with your time & energy?

As I currently build my 2nd small business, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to choose wisely the people, tasks, and habits that I give to.

In the small business world, I often see people advocating for inclusivity when it comes to our time and energy.

“Be open to all opportunities that come your way.”
“Attract as many people as possible to your platform.”
“Take the time to respond to all your DMs.”
“Always be friendly and approachable.”

My experiences have shown me how important it is to understand my core values, build a brand that reflects those values, and pursue ONLY the people and opportunities that align with those values.

- When we partner with people who share our values, we know we can endlessly collaborate without ever compromising on the core of who we are.
- When we pick tasks that fit our personality, we know we’re building a solid foundation that we genuinely enjoy.

If we’re a match, great. If we’re not, there’s no need.

🏠Our brand is our house:
Who and what are you allowing into your home? How much of your authentic presence can you give each of your guests?

I am currently renovating my business to honor my values more deeply - this has caused some partnerships to fall through, strengthened others, and is slowing down the growth of my business right now.

But I believe that staying true to who we are - even if it initially limits our income or slows our progress - is what builds loyalty, trust, and authentic connections that last.

💭Reflection:
What’s something in your life - an energy, pattern, person, routine - that doesn’t need to take up so much space in your life? Is there anything in your life that isn’t a true reflection of who you are at your core?

Emily shares some cool behind-the-scenes facts about her role as a dog trainer & dog podcaster! I definitely am guilty of just petting random dogs and now, I’ll be sure to be more considerate of their feelings before approaching them 🙂

Introducing our next career doll, Jypsy!

Jypsy is a vocalist, vocal coach, stylist, and creative professional with over a decade of experience blending music, fashion, and storytelling. Raised in New York City, she developed a deep passion for authentic self-expression and performance early on. Her creative journey has taken her around the world, absorbing diverse cultural influences that inform her unique approach to music, coaching, and style. Jypsy’s work centers on helping people connect deeply with their true selves—whether that’s through vocal confidence, personal styling, or building a compelling stage presence. Known for her soulful, grounded energy, she combines technical expertise with emotional insight to empower every client she works with.

Thank you Jypsy for helping so many people form the bridge between their persona and the soul! ❤️

🎈Your inner home sanctuary is the feeling you return to when you need to soften and retreat inwards.

It’s like the mood, texture, aesthetic, vibes…of your solitude.

When you close your eyes and go inside — what does it look like there?

🎀Why understanding your inner sanctuary matters in business-building:

Your inner home sanctuary is the place inside where you feel safest and most at peace — your quiet rest spot. That’s the energy you want to bring out into your life and your business.

Knowing the vibes, feelings, and themes of your inner sanctuary helps you connect with who you really are.

When you do, it’s easier to figure out the path that feels right for you and build a life and business that fit.