We had the good fortune of connecting with Daveia Odoi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daveia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my graphic design services business to get a handle on the growing freelance requests I was receiving. The idea to launch a retail brand featuring my artwork came from my late husband. He saw how I was always designing my own invitations and greeting cards because I couldn’t find anything that resonated with me. He encouraged me to be the solution, not just for myself but for others facing the same issue. Together, we figured out how to bring my art to life on products like notebooks, t-shirts, and more.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is all about spreading joy through cute and colorful hand-drawn character illustrations. I love creating each smile and seeing how it lights up people’s faces. What sets my art apart is its ability to infuse everyday items—like notebooks, t-shirts, and planners—with happiness and inspiration.

I founded The DynaSmiles by DNT to share this joy on a larger scale. The journey hasn’t always been easy; building a brand from the ground up involved a lot of trial and error, persistence, and faith. But it’s been worth it, as I’ve seen how even small sources of inspiration can make a big impact on people’s lives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a mom, any place I’d take my best friend would need to be kid-friendly, so we’d start with a weekday visit to the Georgia Aquarium—my children and I love it, and it’s much calmer during the week. If there’s a game or concert happening, we’d definitely head to State Farm Arena to catch some live entertainment. For a more leisurely day, we’d stroll around Atlantic Station, exploring local shops and attractions. It’s a great spot to relax, grab a bite, and soak in some fun family-friendly activities.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a special shoutout to my late husband, Edmund Odoi. He passed in 2020, but his influence remains the biggest motivator in both my life and business. His constant encouragement helped shape the mission of my brand to spark joy, and his favorite phrase, ‘Keep Moving Forward,’ still guides me in everything I do.

Website: https://www.thedynasmiles.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedynasmiles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedynasmiles

Other: Personal Website: https://www.daveiaodoi.com/hello

Image Credits
Headshot photographed by Denisse Myrick Photography

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