Dabble & Dollop
Founder: Stephanie Ross Leshney
Headquarters: Long Beach, CA
Founded: 2019


How did the idea for Dabble & Dollop come to be?
My “Eureka!” moment occurred during my previous company’s annual “Kids Science Day.” I was CEO of Ross Organic where we worked with some of the leading ingredients for personal care suppliers from around the world. So, we got the idea to turn the office into an interactive laboratory where kids made their own shampoos, bubble baths, bath bombs and more. I was awe-struck at how “into it” they all were. Donning lab coats and goggles, they mixed and giggled the entire afternoon.

On my drive home I dreamed up Dabble & Dollop as a way to bottle that sense of magic, experimentation and imagination. I tried an experiment at home that night. I gave the kids several small bottles of the base gels we used that day, some of my bath whip and each a little cup. The scrambling and screaming turned into quiet focus as I watched my children mix the bubble bath with the shampoos, with each of them “announcing” their own “brand new recipes.” It was confirmation that I was on to something. When this inspiration collided with my ingredient expertise, I became convinced we could create a bath experience that was more fun and of higher quality than any other kids’ product on the market. 

Tub time can be a lot of fun. But some parents have bath-averse children. Can your brand help here?
Absolutely! I had three young bath-averse children, so I know first-hand about what we affectionally called “The Struggle.” As babies become toddlers, they start to develop their own sense of self and strive for more independence. So, getting them to leave the TV or a book and get in the tub is not something kids naturally want to agree to!

But if we appeal to their sense of curiosity, their growing independence, and most importantly their understanding of choice—they get to choose their own bath concoctions with scent and texture–well that’s when you have kids asking to take baths instead of running away from it.

Do you have a formulation philosophy?
Our formulation philosophy is very simple—less is more. Our washes feature fewer than 10 ingredients per scent, and our ingredients are sustainably sourced from the top suppliers in the country.

Having formerly been in the business of selling ingredients, I know, and understand, that having a formula with lots of ingredients might look great from a marketing standpoint, but it’s just not necessary from an effectiveness, or even a safety standpoint. Children’s products should definitely appeal to the kids, but they need to be 100% safe if you are a parent!

Our “less is more” philosophy ensures that we are 100% focused on making great, safe, mild and effective products; not creative ingredient marketing stories. I am starting to see that this philosophy is resonating with more and more customers.

What has you most excited about Dabble & Dollop in 2022?
We are most excited about the prospects of opening our brand up to more people as covid restrictions abate! We launched just prior to the pandemic, so we never really had the chance to tell our story to customers and buyers face-to-face! We attended the NYNow Show earlier this year and won Best Product for our category which was a great honor. Later this year we will exhibit for the first time at both Natural Products Expo as well as Cosmoprof.

Not having the chance to attend these shows immediately after launching was frustrating—but we are thrilled to have the chance to get more exposure and open many more doors for the brand.  

Stephanie Ross Leshney