MEET THE FOUNDER
My name is Alyssa, the founder of DASH+BEE, a homeschooling mother, and former teacher.
I am a dedicated mother and small business owner and infuse my passion for creativity into every aspect of my business. As a former public school teacher of a decade, turned homeschooling mother, I wanted my son to learn with freedom, connection, and curiosity at the center. Building my own small business became the path that allowed that vision to exist in real time. I created DASH + BEE to provide my child opportunities in education I wish possible for all children. My small business allows me to stay home and homeschool my son.
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My roots run deep on Chicago's Southside, in Beverly, and those years were some of the happiest memories of my childhood. It was where community felt real, neighbors knew one another, and local pride wasn’t something you had to explain. That upbringing is part of why my first designs, THE SOUTHSIDE COLLECTION, were created for Beverly, for our Southside community, and for anyone who wears their neighborhood with pride.
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Thank you for being here — and for supporting a business that supports both motherhood and meaningful education. It matters more than you know.
ABOUT DASH + BEE
DASH + BEE is a small-batch apparel + goods studio creating custom pieces with meaning, personality, and heart. Every design starts with a story, such as a team you love, a kid you’re proud of, a milestone you want to remember, or a brand you’re building. We help bring those stories to life through quality materials, intentional design, and thoughtful customization.
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The name reflects why I do this work:
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DASH comes from my son's middle name, Maxton Dash, who inspired both the creativity and the courage behind this business. His curiosity and boldness remind me that the best ideas come from paying attention to everyday life.
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BEE symbolizes the work ethic behind the brand. Bees are builders. They are steady, collaborative, and purposeful. Like bees, this business was built piece by piece: late-night mockups, learning new skills, custom transfers, test prints, heat press trial and error, all while my baby slept.
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The “+” comes from my background as a middle school math teacher. Teaching was my passion and a huge part of my identity before I had children and is a nod to precision, detail, and the idea that the right elements ADDED together create something better than the sum of their parts. In our world, that looks like: custom design + great materials + customer care + local community.
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DASH + BEE specializes in:
• custom transfers + apparel
• event merch + family sets
• custom school + team spirit wear
• branded small-batch goods for businesses
• children’s + lifestyle pieces
• personalized gifts + keepsakes
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We are proudly small, intentionally hands-on, and driven by relationships. Whether we’re making a one-off birthday tee or outfitting an entire team for spirit wear, we approach every order with the same care: make it personal, make it well, and make it feel good to wear.
We hope you join DASH + BEE on this journey to embrace creativity, community, and the joy of being authentically ourselves.
