Glo Forward: Melissa Shin Mash

At Doc & Glo, we believe self-care is more than a trend—it’s a lifestyle that celebrates individuality, wellness, and the small rituals that keep us grounded.

That’s why we’re excited to introduce our blog series, Glo Forward, where we spotlight inspiring founders, creators, and all-around interesting people. Each of our guests shares their self-care secrets, favorite rituals, and the wisdom they’ve gained along the way. 

Through these profiles, we hope to spark new ideas for your own wellness journey and connect you with a community of self-care enthusiasts who know the value of prioritizing yourself.

This week on Glo Forward, we’re spotlighting Melissa Mash, the visionary Co-Founder of Dagne Dover. Known for revolutionizing how we think about functional and stylish bags, Melissa brings that same intentionality to her self-care rituals.

In this profile, she shares her favorite ways to unwind, the mantra that keeps her motivated, and how she balances her fast-paced life with wellness practices that truly resonate. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Dagne Dover or simply looking for fresh inspiration to elevate your own routine, Melissa’s thoughtful approach will leave you ready to tackle life with purpose—and maybe a bit more Glo!

What is one thing you love about yourself?

I don’t hesitate – whether introducing myself to people, demo’ing my bag to people on the go or applying for awards or recognition. You can’t get people to pay attention if you aren’t willing to be vulnerable and put yourself out there.

What does self-care look like to you on a free day?

A free day to me is a completely unscheduled, logistics-free day. The most creative and/or reflective thoughts come from that silent, unstructured time where you can do whatever you feel drawn to at that moment.

A care-free day to me would be a day of waking up without any particular need, getting ready at my own pace, moving my body and giving it the break it deserves to make up for the rest of the days when it’s an on-the-go machine for my work and for my family. Then I would let it be lazy. Lounging on a blanket in my yard while I read and taking in the sounds of nature while my nervous system resets.

To me, literally doing nothing and grounding myself to the earth and its natural state is the ultimate self-care.

What is your favorite mantra?

Progress over perfection. We as a society have a hard time being patient for anything – including our own development. We need to give ourselves grace, manage our own expectations and live in the joy of the journey versus focusing on arriving at a final destination.

One of the greatest fallacies is that there is a specific event in which you’ve “made it,” but in all honesty, there is no one moment in which you “make it” – it’s how you live and utilize your entire life.

What’s one daily ritual you never skip?

I put on an outfit that makes me feel good about how I’m approaching that day. I always want to feel put together and that I’m living intentionally.

How do you unwind after a long day?

I really like using my brain even if I’m “unwinding”. I love a good puzzle or Lego project.

Do you pack for a trip in advance or save it for a last-minute scramble?

Who has time to pack in advance?! I’m a night-before packer, but because I have all the Dagne bags + luggage, it’s easy to be organized and put-together even for those multi-city and multi-weather types of trips!

What’s your go-to wellness practice when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed?

Our body needs to feel like it’s being really taken care of, especially when we’re running it hard. I think human touch is really important so I love a massage or bodywork PT.

What role does fitness play in your self-care routine?

To me, fitness is activating my body. Whether through strength training or through foam-rolling, it’s showing my body that I respect it and that I’m taking care of it so it can continue to show up for me.

Do you have a favorite skincare or body care product you can’t live without?

I’m big into skin health and skincare. I use the Iris and Romeo weekend skin SPF every day of the week.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?

Savor each moment because as you get older, time speeds up. Self-care is personal, and hearing how others embrace it can inspire us to elevate our own routines.

We hope this profile gave you a fresh perspective and maybe even a few new ideas to try.

At Doc & Glo, we’re all about celebrating what makes you feel good, inside and out. If this story resonated with you, share it with someone who needs a little extra Glo in their life—and don’t forget to explore our collection of body care essentials to help you feel your best every day.

Until next time, keep glo’ing!