Reflections on Ploppals, purpose, and permission to play.
When I started Ploppals, I didn’t have a polished roadmap. I had a background in pottery, a hunger to create, and a little idea that a plush poop could make people smile.
Fast forward a year and a half later – and I’ve built a brand that’s more than a product. Ploppals is a feeling. A message. A joyful, healing reminder that we are all worthy of love (yes, even on the hard days). And the process of building this brand has changed me in ways I couldn’t have predicted.
Here’s what I’ve learned along the way – lessons shaped by clay, chaos, and creativity:
Start Messy, Stay Curious
Perfection kills momentum. Progress loves play.
Some of my best breakthroughs started with scribbles and “what-ifs.” You don’t have to wait until it’s perfect to begin – you just have to begin.
A Brand Is a Living, Laughing Thing
Ploppals isn’t just a product – it’s a feeling.
I’ve learned how to shape that feeling into every touchpoint, from taglines to toy tags. A brand is something you feel, and that takes heart.
Purpose > Product
When your “why” is clear, your decisions get easier.
Packaging, pricing, punchlines – they all snap into place when you remember why you started. My “why” is joy. It leads every step.
AI Isn’t Cold – It’s a Collaborator
Working with tools like ChatGPT has been a gift.
It’s like having a brilliant, patient marketing intern who doesn’t need coffee breaks. I’ve learned how to brainstorm better, write more clearly, and stay true to my voice—with a little digital support.
People Will Cheer You On
The right community wants to see you shine.
I found this through The Rainmaker Family mentorship and beyond. Building a brand rooted in love draws people who lead with heart.
“Poop” Can Be Sacred
Yes, really.
Turns out humor and healing go hand in hand. Laughter can soften shame. A silly plush can carry serious comfort. That’s not nonsense – that’s magic.
You Don’t Have to Know Everything to Start
I’ve launched products, tackled manufacturing, created a publishing imprint, and navigated Amazon’s maze – all without a business degree.
Just courage, community, Google, and a willingness to figure it out.
Marketing Is Just Storytelling with a Smile
When I share why I care, others start to care too.
Marketing isn’t manipulation – it’s connection. And if you lead with honesty and heart, people listen.
Feedback Isn’t Failure – It’s Friendship in Disguise
Every confused customer, every kind critique – it all helped me grow.
Building a brand means staying open. Listening. Adjusting. And saying thank you (a lot).
Running a Business Is Emotional Work
It’s not just spreadsheets and shipping labels.
It’s vulnerability, self-doubt, celebration, surprise. It’s the deep work of staying aligned with your joy – even when the numbers don’t line up yet.
Play Is a Superpower
I’ve built something that gives people permission to laugh when they need it most.
That’s not silly. That’s sacred.
What I Hope You Take With You
If you’re building something from scratch—especially something that feels equal parts joyful and messy—I hope this post reminds you:
Keep following the spark.
Keep learning.
Keep building something that lights you up.
Joy is not just the result—it’s part of the process.
With love,
Heather Goff
Founder of Heather’s Joy
Heather’s Joy is more than a studio – it’s a way of creating, living, and sharing that begins with wonder and ends with connection. Whether through pottery, plush toys, websites, or words, I follow what lights me up – and build from there. My hope is that by sharing the process, it helps you find what lights you up too.