She is the brand
How my aunt and cousin shaped how I see personal branding, risk, and what it looks like to give a sh*t.
You don’t realize it at the time, but your standards get set early.
Not by what people say.
By how they live.
Twenty-five years ago, my auntie Debbie founded DKM Accessories in Tampa, Florida.
And it wasn’t just a store.
It was her.
Her initials. Her taste. Her energy. Her point of view – turned into something real.
My cousin Mary Hannah grew up inside that world. Helped shape it.
I watched from a distance.
And it stayed with me.
Then, when I was a teenager, I was invited into it.
I tagged along for 2 buying trips – one in New York, one in Atlanta.
I got to see how they chose pieces, how they thought about what belonged, and what didn’t.
We walked through these incredible, showroom-style spaces and unassuming “hole in the wall” warehouses in NYC filled with accessories I didn’t even know existed.
What stuck wasn’t “entrepreneurship.”
It was how much she cared.
How clear she was about what she loved.
How unapologetic she was about it.
How everything felt intentional because it came from her.
Some people build brands. Some people are the brand.
And when you see that early, it changes you.
It sets a standard for how you move through the world.
What feels aligned.
What feels off.
What’s worth putting your name on.
I think that’s a big part of why starting this brand was so important to me.
Even though I have nothing to sell (yet!), it felt like a risk to start building something that actually feels like me.
But at the same time… it didn’t feel optional.
Because I’ve seen what it looks like when someone doesn’t hold back.
And now they’re building again.
Together this time, with Marlowe Street.
Their first pop-up trunk show is this month in Tampa - April 23 to 25, 2026 (🔗 learn more)
And it feels familiar in the best way - simply because the energy is the same.
Clear. Intentional. Personal.
And what’s not to love about a curated mix of new and vintage home goods?! I’m a total sucker.
REFLECTION
I see this energy in my circle
When I look around, I see women in my life building things that feel deeply personal.
Not to sell something – but to express something.
It’s Debbie and Mary Hannah building their new business, Marlowe Street, with a Substack to match ⭐️
It’s my mom building and running successful businesses for 25 years.
It’s my friend Sofiia Salimova starting over and building a jewellery brand she’s passionate about (check out You’re So Fine)
It’s my sister-in-law Angelina starting @ginaaaphotos because she loves to create.
It’s my cousin Sara co-building her husband’s electrical company (which I was lucky enough to help design the branding for!)
It’s a world of women who care.
Who take risks.
Who follow through.
Who build things that reflect their values.
And once you see that, you can’t really go back.
You carry that standard with you into what you make.
Into how you show up.
Into how you see the world.
Lots of love, dyna ⭐️🩷
+ a few of my favourite memories. I am the proudest cousin and niece.
Yes! You captured their essence. Beautiful.
So beautifully written Sam! You are incredible. So proud of what you are building!!!