Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandi Starks.
Hi Brandi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started Dorothy’s Paradise during a time of deep loss and burnout — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I didn’t set out to build a brand. I was simply trying to find my way back to myself. Crochet became a form of healing. Journaling became my mirror. Rest became my rebellion. And what began as small, handmade pieces created in quiet moments slowly turned into something more powerful than I imagined.
I named the brand after my great-grandmother, Dorothy. Her strength, softness, and creativity live in everything I make. As I grew more confident, so did the vision. What if rest could be ritual? What if luxury could be handmade? What if we could build something sacred, soft, and community-rooted?
Now, Dorothy’s Paradise has become a soft luxury lifestyle brand that includes handmade goods, self-reflection tools, DIY kits, and an upcoming yarn line called Verdant Thread Co. I also created a tech platform called Cozy Genie to help other creatives and small business owners automate and scale without losing their peace- coming soon.
I’m currently working toward securing our first physical space in Atlanta — a cozy, multi-purpose haven for coffee, craft, community, and care — and I plan to expand to my hometown of Rochester, NY, in the future. Through everything I’ve built, my mission remains the same: to create spaces and experiences that feel like home — even when you’re still finding your way there.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all — but I don’t think it was meant to be. Dorothy’s Paradise was born out of grief, health scares, and the kind of burnout that forces you to start over. I’ve had to learn how to keep going even when it felt like everything around me was falling apart. I was navigating personal loss, chronic stress, and rebuilding my life from the inside out — all while trying to grow something that felt bigger than me.
There were moments when I didn’t know how I’d fund the next product drop or if anyone would even show up. I’ve poured my own money, time, and heart into every part of this brand. I’ve worked full-time jobs while crocheting until 3 a.m., written journal pages between anxiety attacks, and taught myself to build websites and systems just to keep things running.
But every time I wanted to quit, I’d think about the customers who’ve reached out to say how much they love their journal — how it helped them feel grounded or gave them space to exhale. Or the people who use their handmade pieces daily and say they bring comfort, beauty, or a sense of peace to their space. Those quiet affirmations reminded me that what I’m building matters — even if it’s still small, even if it’s still growing.
The struggles have shaped the softness. They’ve made the mission more sacred. And they’ve taught me how to hold both grief and gratitude in the same breath.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Dorothy’s Paradise is a soft luxury lifestyle brand rooted in rest, creativity, and remembrance. It’s a love letter to my ancestors, to Black womanhood, and to the healing power of handmade things. I started it with just a few crochet pieces and a vision for beauty that felt like home. Today — just two months in — it’s already growing fast, building momentum, and expanding into something so much bigger than I imagined.
Dorothy’s Paradise now includes handmade and digital wellness products, immersive journal experiences, crochet kits, cozy subscription boxes, and our soon-to-launch yarn brand, Verdant Thread Co. Every item is made or selected with care, crafted to create moments of ease — especially for women who are always pouring into others.
We’re currently based in Atlanta, where I’m working toward creating our first physical studio storefront. But my heart still lives in Rochester, NY, and I plan to open a second location there in the future. I’ve also launched a classroom sponsorship initiative to support underserved Atlanta and Rochester schools with creative kits, handmade supplies, and cozy tools that spark joy.
What sets us apart is our softness — not just in aesthetic, but in spirit. We lead with empathy, storytelling, and cultural intention. I’m most proud that in such a short time, this brand has already helped people slow down, feel seen, and remember their worth.
What were you like growing up?
I was a quiet, imaginative child — always writing, drawing, singing, or building stories in my head. I loved stories and spent hours creating whole worlds in my notebooks or daydreaming about the ones I’d read. I was deeply curious, always asking questions and getting lost in thought. My teachers would say I was mature for my age, but really, I just felt things deeply.
I loved learning and was always diving into something new. I was involved in computers, loved animals, and played a lot of different sports — track, volleyball, and more. I was big on family and found comfort in the closeness of that bond.
Even as a kid, I saw the world as beautiful, but I also noticed its flaws — the injustices, the systems that didn’t feel fair. That awareness grew stronger as I got older. I was always rebelling against the things I felt were wrong, but I remained a deeply loving person. I cared a lot — about people, about truth, about creating change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dorothysparadise.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorothysparadise?igsh=anA3czg2cDJkMmxx&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DcraFkbAR/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dorothysparadise?_t=ZT-8vzoCDr1laI&_r=1
