FROM THE START: A chat with the founder of Kool Image Dolls

Picture of Dominique Scaife, founder of Kool Image Dolls, in front of a mural of Pittsburgh.
Dominique Scaife, founder of Kool Image Dolls.

Ascender’s FROM THE START series continues with our 2023–2024 Incubator!

Too often, we learn from other founders only after they’ve “already made it,” but there’s a lot to gain from their journeys as early-stage entrepreneurs. FROM THE START is our ongoing interview series with founders from our Incubator that traces their startup stories from the beginning, reveals some of the resources helping them overcome the bumps, and points out ways you can help them thrive.

Since joining the 2023–2024 Incubator in June, all of the companies have been hustling to get their brands and businesses out there. Now it’s time to get to know them!

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Read more about Dominique Scaife and her startup journey below. Some answers have been edited slightly for brevity.

What does being an entrepreneur mean to you?

Being an entrepreneur to me means a lot of things. One of the most important things is giving myself permission to walk in my purpose. I am giving myself permission to share the creative gifts that I have been blessed with. With my gifts, I want to evoke change and put some things that I don’t see out in the world, hopefully helping people along the way, whether through jobs, collaborations, or our products.

What does your business do, what problems does it solve, and how?

First and foremost, Kool Image Dolls specializes in the design of black manufactured play dolls for children. We are solving the issue of true representation of black African American children by designing the first play doll manufactured to have the palms of the hands and soles of the feet shaded a lighter skin tone like real children of color. We are not taking an already created doll and coloring it brown. We are designing the features from the hair to the toes, and this provides positive self-identity play, equaling positive self-esteem. We are building confident kids who will become confident adults, all with a doll and our stories. Every child deserves to have their image recognized and celebrated.

Kool Image Dolls is a culturally positive doll company specializing in designing play dolls of color, children’s clothing, accessories, and entertainment that promote positive self-identity play, and positive self-identity engagement.

What bumps have you encountered so far in your entrepreneurial journey?

I have overcome and continue to overcome so many obstacles. The first was teaching myself to sculpt. Then, reaching out overseas and finding a manufacturer to work with me to create these dolls in my mind that I did not see. I left my job of 23 years and put my money on the line to create our first doll, Zuri. I am still overcoming new challenges as we continue to work with the manufacturer to produce exactly what we have created and asked for. I do this by just believing in myself and going for it. You just keep going.

What do you wish you would’ve known before starting up your own business?

Oh my goodness! Things are not as pretty and easy as people (especially social media) make it seem. Success doesn’t happen overnight. There are so many moving parts. Take the time that you think it will take you to get things up and running and correct and then double it, maybe even triple it, but just keep going.

How has Ascender’s Incubator benefitted you and your business?

Incubation has benefited me as both a person and entrepreneur by showing me that I’m not out here alone. I have advisors to bounce ideas off of, and when fires erupt — and they do — I have a network to talk it out with and find solutions. Oftentimes, you can find yourself so overwhelmed and not even see an answer to an issue.

“Being an entrepreneur to me means a lot of things. One of the most important things is giving myself permission to walk in my purpose. I am giving myself permission to share the creative gifts that I have been blessed with.” — Dominique Scaife

What’s a resource or tip that’s helped you develop as a founder and move your business forward?

Be honest with yourself, understand your weaknesses, and then find the help or app to fill those weak areas so you can continue growing. Ask for help, and education is out there.

What’s next? How can our readers help you?

The future looks absolutely Kool, filled with a world of dolls that I have dreamed of along with all of their accessories and smiling faces of little black girls of color because they look at the dolls, the accessories, the content and see themselves and know that they matter, and can be and do anything too.

More than anything, I need to spread the word about my company and ensure that as many people as possible know about Kool Image Dolls. Subscribe and check out our YouTube content as it comes out, and follow us on social media @KoolImageDolls!

From the Start — Kool Image Dolls, a 2023–2024 Ascender Incubator Company

Learn more about Kool Image Dolls.

Visit: koolimagedolls.com

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DOMINIQUE SCAIFE was originally published in Ascender on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.