Facts You Didn’t Know About American Girl Dolls

Since the initial excitement started, it seems like just about every little girl has had one specific wish for their birthday or holiday gift. We’re not talking about Barbie dolls here, even though they are also adored by many girls. What we’re really referring to are the American Girl dolls. These popular toys took the nation by storm and continue to be a major hit amongst kids everywhere. From their flawlessly styled hair to their bright, captivating smiles, the American Girl dolls are every girl’s heart’s desire. They’re more than just dolls; they’re a dreamy phenomenon that has gripped the hearts of countless girls across the nation.

The allure of these dolls, from their meticulously crafted designs to their movie spin-offs and real-looking outfits, is indeed compelling – no wonder their starting price clocks in around $100. This hefty price tag hasn’t dimmed their appeal to girls throughout America, for who unwrapping a gift to find an American Girl doll inside is the realization of a wish. Most people have a passing familiarity with these sought-after dolls, but the brand itself and its backstory are less known, and are full of fascinating details that might surprise you.

The Woman Behind It All

Pleasant Rowland might not be the first name that pops into your mind when you think of a person setting up a whole business devoted to a line of dolls. However, this inventive lady is the brain behind it all. Rowland has undergone several career shifts throughout her lifetime before she landed on the one that did not just bring her the utmost joy but also made her a well-known name. Life has seen Pleasant taking roles of a classroom teacher, news broadcaster, and a textbook author, but it was the spark of entrepreneurship in her that led to her highest achievement: establishing the Pleasant Company. This company is responsible for producing the popular American Girl dolls. These series of career changes not only paved the way for her success but also helped her discover a passion that would eventually make her famous. Though she started as a teacher and then a news reporter, it was her experience as a textbook writer that truly ignited her entrepreneurial spirit and set her on a path towards creating a beloved brand cherished by many.

A Trip to Colonial Williamsburg

In the year 1984, Pleasant took a trip with her husband to Colonial Williamsburg, a place all about business. Her daughter, Rowland, recalls her mother’s visit as a real eye-opener. Pleasant was intrigued by the historical clothes worn there and the lifestyle, but felt disappointed by the lack of such historical education in American schools. As she sat quietly on a park bench, an idea began to form in her mind about how to share this amazing part of history with everybody else. Fast forward a few months, and Pleasant found herself in a toy store, looking for the perfect doll gifts for her nieces for Christmas. She quickly realized that the only dolls available were Cabbage Patch Kids and Barbie. That’s when the idea really clicked.

Rowland Initially Funded the Company Herself

With a spark of creativity, Rowland rushed to share something fantastic with her colleague, the famed writer, Valerie Tripp. Would Valerie approve of her imaginative idea? The concept was captivating: a collection of books about nine-year-old girls, each girl hailing from a distinctive era in history. Plus, there would be a unique doll to present the tale in a more tangible form. Rowland firmly believed that this concept was easily worth a million dollars. With Christmastime of 1986 in sight, she ambitiously aimed to have the doll set completed by then. Having gathered approximately $1.2 million from her textbook sales, she decided to hold onto $200,000 as a safety net in case her venture didn’t go as planned. The rest, she resolved, would be put towards her project, making the decision to self-fund rather than seek external investors. However, Rowland had yet to realize the daunting hurdles awaiting her down this path.

Everyone Thought It Was Crazy

Rowland and Tripp found themselves in over their heads because neither of them had any experience making dolls or designing their historically accurate outfits. Despite this, Rowland was far too determined to let this setback stop her, so they started on a mission to get things right. Using a German doll design as a blueprint, they began their venture. Many refused to believe that this endeavor would succeed. Even Tripp had her reservations and second thoughts about the viability of their strategy. Critics voiced out their skepticism, mentioning that the high price they put on their dolls was too much, and their plan to go up against the already established Barbie was madness. Regardless of such skepticism, they decided to give it a shot.