Meet DJ & James

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful DJ & James. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with DJ & James below.

DJ & James, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

While most people start a business in their younger years, James and I found our purpose later in life, when I entered perimenopause at 48. Around this time, I struggled night after night with overheating specifically at my midsection. I felt desperate and frustrated that there wasn’t a comforter that could cool just the areas that needed relief, without uncovering myself or relying on gadgets. When the idea for Sleeping Dove came to me — a comforter with a Softwing Cooling System that lets you gently lift open soft fabric wings to release heat while still staying fully covered — James and I were determined to bring it to life. We wanted to help all hot sleepers, especially women in transition, find natural, human-feeling comfort that doesn’t disconnect them from their partner. No wires, no tech, no performance fabrics — just a thoughtful design using heirloom-quality cotton and traditional fill materials. That mission has become our purpose, and it’s a message we carry forward with passion.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

James and I created Sleeping Dove, a luxury comforter brand designed to bring back natural cooling comfort — without plugs, wires, or performance technology. Our patent-pending comforter features a Softwing Cooling System, which lets you gently lift open soft fabric wings at the midsection or feet to release heat while staying fully covered and swaddled. That ability to cool specific zones without uncovering yourself is often missing from today’s high-tech bedding solutions, yet it completely transforms sleep. It matters whether you sleep alone, share the bed with someone who runs warmer or cooler, or are navigating hormonal transitions like perimenopause or postpartum. What also makes Sleeping Dove special is that it feels both familiar and innovative. We use heirloom-quality materials like 100% cotton and traditional fill to create comfort that’s naturally breathable and keeps people connected — not isolated by gadgets. Our mission is to help people sleep better through thoughtful design, not technology.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the first quality that’s been most impactful is empathy. Sleeping Dove started from a personal struggle that DJ was experiencing. And, as a couple, we could empathize with others who were also losing sleep — women in transition, couples with different temperature needs, anyone longing for real comfort. Perseverance comes next. There were so many points where giving up might have been easier — from sourcing the right factory to explaining our idea for a comforter with “windows.” But we learned that small, consistent steps keep you moving forward. And third, curiosity. We didn’t come from a bedding background, but asking questions and being open to learning from experts changed everything. Finally, an idea born from the heart is always worth fighting for.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Our biggest challenge right now is introducing people to a new way of sleeping. Most of us have used the same type of comforter our entire lives, so the idea that a comforter can have soft fabric wings you can lift to cool specific areas while still staying fully covered — takes a moment to understand. To bridge that gap, we’re focused on education through storytelling and demonstrations — videos, events, and real-life partnerships that let people see and feel it in action. And once they try it, the reaction is instant: cooling off naturally at the midsection or feet while staying covered truly changes everything.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sleepingdove.com
• Instagram: @sleepingdovehome