During my first years of college, I began noticing how many students around me were quietly struggling to feel like they were enough. Surrounded by thousands of peers, we constantly compare ourselves without meaning to, measuring our worth against what others look like, wear, or achieve. The Daily Happy began as my response to that culture. Currently a podcast, with plans to expand into a daily text platform, I created it to remind people that their joy does not need to come from comparison. Instead, it celebrates the internal qualities and small moments that often go unnoticed but shape who we are.
The Story Behind It
The idea came from a lived experience. College is exciting, but it is also overwhelming. I watched friends question themselves in classrooms, on social media, and even walking across campus. I noticed how easy it was to overlook the things we love about ourselves, like caring deeply about the environment, being the friend who checks in, or finding peace in small routines.
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The Daily Happy reframes what we pay attention to. What if joy is not about standing out in a crowd, but about recognizing what already makes you you? If someone receives a short message about something they value, like a sunset, a favorite playlist, or a quiet morning walk, it sparks recognition. It reminds them of who they are outside of comparison.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
I graduated as a cohort member of the LAS Start Something Program, a two-year initiative focused on student innovation and entrepreneurship. Through this program, I pitched The Daily Happy in competitions and had weekly course meetings to refine the business model with guidance from faculty and mentors.
Working closely with my assigned mentor and professor, I focused on clarifying the value proposition, identifying my target audience, and exploring sustainable revenue models. These included branded merchandise, partnerships, and potential nonprofit structures. The mentorship pushed me to think beyond the idea and into scalability, impact measurement, and long-term growth.
Branding and Creative Development
Throughout my journalism, public relations, and entrepreneurship coursework, I have refined the brand identity of The Daily Happy. I designed the logo and full brand kit from scratch using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. The visual direction focuses on warmth, brightness, and approachability to align with the emotional tone of the project.
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