With just a few custom designs under her belt, Dabney Lee founded her eponymous company in 2004.
“That was a lifetime ago,” she says. “I was always a creator, doodling and dreaming of owning a stationery store.”
Today she’s the president of Dabney Lee, a lifestyle brand that specializes in custom paper goods, home office products, pet accessories, and more.
The company came to fruition thanks to one drawing she made for a friend’s business.
“It was like my heart skipped a beat,” she says. “I knew I was meant to be a designer and paper lover.”
Lee has product lines with many different retailers, including big names like Target. When asked what it’s like to see her work at the national retailer, she claims that it’s “a real ‘pinch me’ moment every time.” To her, the excitement never wears off, no matter who the client happens to be.
“One [client] just emails me what she needs and I make it happen,” Lee says. “I am her personal stationer and I love it!”
Lee says that it’s the frequent design challenges and custom projects that make her feel like she’s always doing something fresh. But finding the focus can be a challenge, especially when there are so many ideas and directions to explore as a business owner.
“I have this built-in guilt that I need to do it all and do it perfectly—be home, be at work, be a good wife, be a good mom, run a successful business,” she says.
Though new to the WeWork community—Lee recently joined WeWork Dumbo—she is far from new to the Brooklyn scene. She lives just a few blocks from her new office with her husband and triplets. Yes, triplets.
“I get so much done here in a few hours that would take me days before,” she says.
The perks of owning a business and having the flexibility of a WeWork office blend seamlessly into her personal life.
“I get visits from my 5-year-old triplets! And I get to work at the beach in the summer,” she says.
Two summers ago, she opened her second store in Shelter Island (her first being in Brooklyn), where she spends the season selling locally inspired hostess gifts and beachy accessories. So how does she pick items for her store?
“Being from California, I tend to gravitate towards bolder and brighter colors, and since being in New York, I have learned to appreciate beauty in the everyday things,” she says.
Photo credit: Lauren Kallen