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Growing Up With Little Representation
Growing up in a small town with limited diversity, I've always longed to connect with my roots more. But I always felt a subtle sense of disconnect when trying to find something familiar, especially when browsing through toy aisles.
Changing The Narrative
The dolls on the shelves rarely reflected my Asian heritage or looked anything like me. It made me quietly question my place and identity. Why there are dolls that looked like my classmates: blonde hair, blue eyes. But there were none that looked like me. It left me questioning, and a persistent longing for something familiar and representative that I could hold on to.
As I grew older, that feeling stayed with me, evolving into a personal mission: to create something meaningful that could bridge the gap I felt as a child for other children. And that's how Poco Pals was born.
The Design Process
After countless sketches, scrapped designs, refining, and eight months of work later, meet Nini.
Nini (妮妮), in Chinese is an endearing way to call someone "little girl," carrying a sense of warmth, affection, and familiarity. Her name embodies the gentle and loving spirit I envisioned for this doll. Nini is designed with delicate features, a warm, welcoming smile, and traditional yet approachable clothing details inspired by a mix Asian heritage, meant to be inclusive as a whole and spark creativity.
A Doll With Real Meaning
Poco Pals holds different meanings for everyone:
🌸 For children, it's a friend that helps nurture a strong sense of identity, pride, and self-love.
🌸 For parents, it's a gentle tool to encourage cultural conversations and instill appreciation for their roots.
🌸 And for adults like myself, it's a comforting piece of healing, filling a gap from childhood and honoring our inner child who longed for representation and understanding.
This Is Just The Beginning
My goal doesn't stop here; I aim to expand Poco Pals to represent even more diverse Asian cultures, to help tell stories of heritage, familiarity, and belonging. Creating Nini has been an incredibly personal and rewarding journey, reminding me of the child I once was, who simply wished to feel seen and acknowledged in everyday play.
Help us decide what our next doll should be:
📣Cast your vote here for the next Poco Pal!📣
