Daveia Odoi 
Failure stings in the moment. We all know that feeling when things don’t go the way we hoped. But over time, I’ve learned that failure isn’t the end of the story. It’s just a teacher pointing us toward the next step forward.
Four years ago, I took on something big. I partnered with a warehouse to help fulfill orders for my Target collaboration where they sold my designer journals. On paper, it looked like a dream come true. What I didn’t realize was how quickly the costs would add up: inventory, barcodes, storage, picking and packing, even a fee just to connect their system to Target’s.
Looking back, I had just buried my husband, moved across the country, and was figuring out life with two little ones at my side. I probably had no business taking on a deal that big. But I was determined to make it work, and I did. For four years, my journals were out in the world through Target, and that is something I will always be proud of.
This month, I made the decision to close that chapter. Not because I wanted to, but because life has shifted again. The costs no longer make sense, and the best move for me and The DynaSmiles is to bring my products back home.
In a logical sense, this was a failure. I failed at maintaining the business at this level. However, in every failure there are lessons. That’s why I’m reframing this experience and focusing in on my growth. Along the way, I proved to myself that I am capable of making serious girl boss moves while being a mom and a widow. I discovered new ways to create, to sell, and to keep going even in the hardest seasons.
So here’s the lesson I want to share. If something no longer fits your life, your capacity, or your future, letting it go is not failure. It is wisdom. It’s making space for what’s next.
For me, that means I will still be creating and selling my art on products that celebrate us, starting with my designer journals. But this season looks a little different: I’ll be shipping them directly from home. Which means every single order will pass through my hands before it gets to you.
These journals are more than paper and ink. They’re a piece of my journey, and I’d love for them to become part of yours too. Once they’re gone, they won’t be restocked.
👉🏾 [Click here to grab your journal before they’re gone]
With love,
Daveia Odoi