Today we’d like to introduce you to Kris Hale.
Hi Kris, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started doing puzzles with my family. I’m the youngest of seven, and although my siblings were typically busy, puzzle time was family time, and everyone was together.
I fell in love with art when I was 18, after seeing a piece by Gilbert Young titled He Ain’t Heavy, I felt something when I saw the image, it made a lasting impression on me.
As I got older, I rediscovered puzzles. I still really loved doing them, but I wasn’t connecting with the images. I found things that were fun or cute, but nothing that reflected what I liked or related to. Putting together a 500- or 1000-piece puzzle is a commitment, and I wanted something worth keeping, something meaningful.
Dope Pieces gave me the space to merge the things I love most: art, connection, and culture. It started from a personal place and grew into something bigger. The opening of our mission statement says we’re “dedicated to connecting people, art, and culture,” and that’s truly why I started this company. Dope Pieces was built to be more than a puzzle company, it is rooted in community, cultural, and a love of art.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was just mentoring at Camp CEO with the Girl Scouts, and one of the mentees asked me what the best and worst part of being a business owner is. I told her: the best part is that I get to make all the decisions. The worst part? I have to make all the decisions.
Decision fatigue is real. It’s hard to know if the path you’ve chosen is the one that will actually help your business grow. As a solopreneur, it sometimes feels like I’m balancing my whole life on the head of a pin—but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
The world around us changes fast, and the constant pivoting can give you whiplash. Nothing stays the same in business. I spend a lot of time figuring things out—asking myself, “Will this work? Will that work?” and preparing to shift again if it doesn’t.
I’ve never owned a puzzle company before, so there’s always something new to learn. It hasn’t always been smooth, but it’s been good. I’ve grown so much, and I’ve proven to myself that I can do hard things. That alone has made every challenge worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Dope Pieces Puzzle Company?
Dope Pieces specializes in high-quality puzzles that feature artwork from incredibly talented artists. But we’re not just about putting pieces together—we’re about building community. Whether we’re hosting a puzzle pop-up, shipping out a new design, or working on a custom puzzle, our goal is the same: to help people slow down, connect, and experience joy through art.
What really sets us apart is our intentionality. Every puzzle we create is rooted in purpose—from the artists we choose to the images we highlight. We’re not just selling a product—we’re curating an experience. Each puzzle is designed to spark conversation, tell a story, and bring people together, one piece at a time.
One of the things I love most is working directly with the artists and sharing their stories through their work. Hearing from someone who felt seen, reminded of a loved one, or deeply moved by an image—that never gets old. That’s the heart of the brand, and what I’m most proud of: Dope Pieces is a celebration of art, culture, and connection.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m letting y’all in on one of my best-kept secrets: I love country music. Something about it calms me down. They’re great storytellers, and it helps me stay focused and get work done. But when I’m working on puzzles? It’s James Brown and Motown all day. It makes me feel nostalgic—in the best way.
I get a lot of inspiration from visiting art galleries—ZuCot Gallery is my favorite in Atlanta—and I love connecting with new artists. I swim pretty regularly, and that’s how I create quiet time. It’s when I do my best thinking and figure out my next moves.
One of the biggest things that keeps me grounded is spending time with other entrepreneurs. Those are my people. There’s something about being around folks who are also building, figuring things out, staying up late, and starting over—it just feels like talking to family. I always walk away recharged, and usually with a gem or two I can use.
The book Grace Over Grind by Shae Bynes, really helped shift my mindset and reminded me to stop trying to hustle and grind my way through everything and instead invite God into my business—into my decision-making, my planning, all of it. We are not meant to struggle. Prayer and conversations with God have become a regular part of how I move, not just in business, but in life. That kind of alignment makes a big difference.
And I’ll always shout out The 4-Hour Workweek, too. That book was the first to help me reframe how I look at time and productivity. It’s a solid reminder not to let busywork run your life.
Pricing:
- Each puzzle is 24.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dopepieces.art/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dopepiecespuzzlecompany/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dopepieces.art/
- LinkedIn: https://www.youtube.com/@dopepiecespuzzlecompany
