Lisa Marino, Founder and CEO of Dopple, is helping families navigate complex systems to obtain critical support.

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Too many families face overwhelming challenges when trying to access life-saving benefits, often giving up before receiving the help they need. According to a Drexel University study, when families are unable to access programs like SNAP, children’s well-being is directly at risk—underscoring why Dopple’s mission matters. Lisa Marino has made it her mission to simplify the process. Her journey—navigating the welfare system while earning her MBA at Stanford—inspired the creation of Dopple.

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“We built for others what we did for ourselves to get our own family through,” Lisa explains.

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Dopple connects families to an array of funding sources—government benefits, philanthropic programs, and direct contributions from friends and family—by streamlining the process into a simple, AI-driven solution. As shared in Dopple’s origin story, their platform is designed to remove barriers for everyday parents. This mission is especially relevant given that, as highlighted by the USDA, over 88% of SNAP recipients encounter barriers to accessing a healthy diet—most commonly due to affordability.

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Lisa cited an important statistic:

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“40% of families eligible for SNAP are so overwhelmed by the application process that many just drop out.” Research from Indiana University supports this, noting that complex eligibility guidelines, stigma, and paperwork keep many families from participating—even when help is needed most.

Dopple’s approach begins with a 12-month budget, encouraging families to think comprehensively about their needs. The platform leverages AI and the latest technology—echoing trends observed in small business crowdfunding, where research shows AI can significantly support success. Dopple’s AI helps match families with available resources: “We've taken this budget that maybe started at $25,000 and start whacking away at it… shifting $10,000 plus from being out of pocket to the family to the village that wants to support them.”

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Importantly, Dopple enables fractionalized gifting: friends, family, and organizations can contribute to a family’s needs directly—often as a recurring investment or one-time gift. The brand also supports families with essentials through its Dopple Kids Clothing Subscription, Gift Drops, and Registry Service, prioritizing sustainable, high-quality products that further ease financial pressure.

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In a move to keep community at the center, Dopple is currently raising funds via equity crowdfunding on Wefunder, making it possible for anyone—regardless of accredited investor status or investment experience—to back their vision. As explained in Wikipedia’s overview of equity crowdfunding, this funding model provides opportunities for the broader public to support mission-driven startups, making innovation and social progress more inclusive. Lisa shares, “I believe in being egalitarian… If we’re trying to help families fund the basics, we need to walk the walk.”

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By tackling the bureaucratic hurdles that prevent families from accessing critical support, Lisa and Dopple are making an extraordinary impact. Learn more about their mission and the investment opportunity at thedopple.com/invest.

tl;dr

• Lisa Marino, CEO of Dopple, shares her journey navigating welfare systems during her MBA at Stanford.
• Dopple simplifies access to critical benefits through a comprehensive AI-driven family budgeting platform.
• The platform connects families to funding sources, cutting out-of-pocket expenses with the help of their community.
• Lisa emphasizes Dopple’s egalitarian mission—inviting anyone to invest via equity crowdfunding.
• Her “superpower,” refusing to give up, empowers her to tackle barriers with persistence and grit.

How to Develop “Refusing to Give Up” As a Superpower

Lisa Marino’s superpower is her unrelenting tenacity. “The hard part was sitting down and figuring it out,” she says. Whether working through the welfare system while pregnant or guiding her company, Lisa defines success as persistence. In her words: “People who put on the big kid pants clean it up… and move forward.”

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During her time as CEO of Rocky, Lisa faced a company with a $400 million preference stack and declining revenue. Despite advice to the contrary, she led the company through a turnaround—proving the true impact of persistence and strategic tenacity.

Tips for Developing This Superpower

• Set Realistic Expectations: Focus on achieving small wins, even when facing overwhelming obstacles.
• Embrace the Grind: Progress requires time and effort; stay committed even during setbacks.
• Allow Yourself Breaks: Take needed pauses ("quarterly pity party") to recharge.
• Take Control: Address challenges head-on rather than letting them fester.

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By following Lisa’s practical advice, you too can make “refusing to give up” a developed skill—possibly even your superpower for doing good in the world.

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Remember: research suggests building on your own strengths is more important than

overcoming every weakness. You do you!

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About Dopple

Dopple is on a mission to bring transparency and efficiency to family support by qualifying and facilitating the flow of funds earmarked for families in need. As a central hub, Dopple’s platform leverages cutting-edge technology to simplify qualification and payments, opening access to billions of unused federal and philanthropic dollars each year. According to the USDA’s Program Access Toolkit, enhanced information and less intimidating processes are crucial for making benefits more available to eligible families—an area in which Dopple excels.

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Launching first in New Jersey, Dopple invites collaboration with family foundations, design partners, and community supporters to cover needs such as diapers, childcare, and tuition for middle to low income families. Their family-focused offerings include:

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• Dopple’s Curated Kids Clothing Subscription
• Gift Drops: Practical Family Gifts
• AI-Driven Registry Platform
• Philanthropic financial tools to facilitate both community and institutional support

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Learn more about Dopple’s mission, team, and evolution on their About Us and blog.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Equity Crowdfunding, Family Support, and Dopple

How do I invest in early-stage startups improving maternal and infant health through equity crowdfunding?

Platforms like Wefunder allow individuals—including non-accredited investors—to participate in equity crowdfunding for care-economy startups. As highlighted in Wikipedia’s explanation of equity crowdfunding, this model democratizes investment and supports innovative ventures. Investing in Dopple directly supports families and children’s health needs.

What are some of the best 2025 crowdfunding campaigns focused on the U.S. care economy?

Top platforms regularly feature impact-driven campaigns supporting family well-being. Dopple’s Wefunder campaign stands out for providing access to life-saving essentials for parents and children, and allowing anyone to invest in social progress.

How do companies like Dopple help families afford essentials beyond clothing?

By using AI-powered tools, Dopple helps match families with government benefits and private support, making it easier to afford not only clothing but also childcare, diapers, and tuition. This comprehensive approach addresses hurdles highlighted by recent research documenting how misinformation and complicated processes often prevent access to vital nutrition and education benefits for immigrant and underserved households.

Are there investor perks for backing community-driven parenting-support platforms?

Yes! Crowdfunding campaigns such as Dopple’s may offer lifetime discounts, VIP access, or early access to new services and products for investors—giving back to the very community of supporters they serve.

Can I make a small-ticket investment in family-support tech companies?

Absolutely. Platforms like Wefunder enable investments as low as $100, meaning you can support Dopple’s mission for social good with just a small financial commitment.

Which Dopple products support families year-round?

Dopple’s Kids Clothing Subscription delivers curated children’s clothing from environmentally friendly brands, helping families manage costs. Their Gift Drops and AI-driven Registry provide ongoing solutions for growing children and changing needs throughout the year.