Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Hamilton
Hi Samantha, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Dottie for Running began in 2015 from my one-bedroom apartment in Downtown Los Angeles. I had become involved in the runDisney races, and my Mum and I had begun designing costume tutu skirts for me to wear during the runs. We both have a love of oversized bows, and at the 2014 Walt Disney World Wine and Dine race, I wore a Belle-inspired tutu with the very first “Butt Bow” made by my Mum. It got a lot of attention, and I had a lot of people stopping me to ask where I got the skirt from. I was already interested in starting my own business, so all of a sudden it seemed like this would be a good avenue to explore with the skirts with the intention of simply “getting my feet wet” in how to open a business – I never imagined it would become the success it has today!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Shortly after opening the business, when it was still very small, I met the man who would later become my husband, and he just happened to be a real-life handsome officer in the US Army. Since being together, we have lived the exciting military lifestyle of moving every couple of years. This means rehoming Dottie for Running every couple of years too – and for a few years we were even stationed in Germany! The business could not have continued without the help and support of my parents (in particular my Mum) who have really provided a stable US-based home base for the business.
We’ve also are so very lucky to have a family of three little children these days! It’s such a blessing, and family will always be my priority, but from a work perspective, creates its own set of challenges!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Dottie for Running designs, produces, and sells costume running tutu skirts with our distinctive “Butt Bows” featured. From a few sparkly skirts, a supportive community known as Team Butt Bow has naturally emerged, and allowed like minded people like myself to find support and company during the runDisney seasons.
The brand is named after my grandmother, who I called Nanny, but whose more widely known nickname was Dot (short for Dorothy). She unfortunately passed away from cancer in 2013, and it was her passing which spurred me on to run my first half marathon in 2014. She had a “go get ’em” personality, and would have absolutely loved to see what the business has become!
Our products are exclusively hand sewn in the USA by independent seamstresses and sewists. This has been a priority of mine since day one, and one that we have stuck by! At times it has made growth slower, but it’s a part of the business which I like to prioritize, and it allows us to bring a level of unrivaled quality.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love the Be Our Guest Podcast – it’s like being able to chat Disney with a group of old friends! They keep a great, positive mindset about everything, and the background music immediately puts a smile on my face!
Pricing:
- Skirts start at $93 and go to $149
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dottieforrunning.com
- Instagram: @dottieforrunning
