Co-founded in 2016 by friends, Emily and Julia started Dance Happy for the simple reason that Julia wanted a job but had a difficult time finding one due to her disability. So they decided to think outside the box and take matters into their own hands.
We are a team of friends on a mission to empower others, celebrate differences, and uplift the Down syndrome community through meaningful employment.
With both ladies having a creative side, they decided to start a creative company -- and landed on screenprinted textiles, with the focal point being on Julia's original shapes and designs.
Determined for their products to become well-loved and bring their customers daily joy, extra care is taken to ensure the highest quality of Dance Happy's artisan products.
From printing fabric to sewing products, each Dance Happy product is handcrafted from start to finished in small batches -- and with a whole lot of love.
And people noticed.
Dance Happy is proud to have partnered with several major retailers to date, including Nordstrom, Madewell, and Aerie (among others) and over 40 boutique and specialty retailers: no small feat for any small business, but downright unheard of for a brand co-founded by someone with Down syndrome.
Emily is also honored to be a Tory Burch Foundation Fellow, completing the year-long fellowship program in 2022 on behalf of the Dance Happy team.
As Dance Happy continues to grow, so does its mission.
Julia and Emily are determined to create meaningful employment for others with Down syndrome. They want to create a workplace where people are valued just as they are, jobs are personalized around each individual's unique strengths and skillsets, and where people thrive for the long run.
Julia is proud of her work as Chief Dancing Officer and Lead Pattern Designer at Dance Happy.
With a focus on refined playfulness, Dance Happy's patterns have an organic and delightful nature to them — speaking volumes to the partnership behind them.
Thank you for celebrating differences with us!
Because while strengths and abilities may vary, everyone deserves the opportunity to have a meaningful career and fulfilling life.
