About

What began as a simple curiosity about happiness turned into a global Smile Movement connecting strangers, sparking joy, and inspiring real human connection—one smile at a time.

With a background in Human Development and an endless fascination with people, I’ve always been the one asking big, often oddly-timed questions—like the day a friend and I were chatting about the kind of mark we hoped to leave on the world. That conversation planted a seed I couldn’t ignore: What actually matters in life? For me, the answer kept pointing back to connection. Genuine, heartwarming, soul-sparking human connection.

So I started to ask others a deceptively simple question:

“What's been making you smile recently?”

I asked family, friends, and even strangers—whether in coffee shops, subways, or parks. And the responses? They blew me away. People lit up. They told me about dogs with their heads out of car windows, free coffees from kind strangers, late-night belly laughs, and moments of resilience—like someone who told me their sister had just beaten cancer. Again and again, one theme came up: connection. Whether with people, nature, pets, or even a moment of peace, it was connection that sparked these smiles.

And the best part? Smiles are contagious! So, I started jotting down the answers on Post-It notes and sticking them on my cubicle wall at work. Before long, coworkers were stopping to read them. Then, they started adding their own. What began as a few colorful squares turned into a living, breathing “Smile Wall.”

Soon enough, simple interactions evolved from a polite “How’s your day?” to a more meaningful, “What’s been making you smile recently?” And something beautiful happened—people started noticing more of the good around them just so they could share it with me. And honestly? I couldn’t get enough of it, and neither could they.

These stories became little sparks of joy—glimmers—in my day. Like a natural high. And others felt it too. So I kept going. More smile initiatives. More walls. More conversations. More random acts of kindness. 

The movement was growing.

But if we’re talking about the heart of this—it actually started with mine.

I was born with Tetralogy of Fallot (a congenital heart defect) and later diagnosed with scoliosis (an abnormal curvature of the spine). By age 15, I’d undergone two open-heart surgeries and a spinal fusion. Those years were filled with hardship, uncertainty, and a lot of waiting rooms. But they were also filled with something else—unshakable support. An army of friends, family, and kind strangers who reminded me to smile, even when it was hard.

That kind of kindness stays with you. It plants itself deep and grows into something bigger. For me, that “something” became this movement—a way to pay forward the love I received during the toughest times in my life. Because if I could help even one person feel a little less alone, a little more seen, or a little more joyful…well, that would be a mark worth leaving.

And so, the Smile Movement lives on. Through walls, conversations, school presentations, acts of kindness, and the simple magic of asking a powerful question:

“What makes you smile?”

Because when we pause to find the joy, to connect with others, to share those glimmer-like moments—we create something beautiful, together. And the best part?

We smile doing it.

~Brielle 

Founder of Smile Stories: The Movement

Brielle Neumann

𝘚𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 | 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳 | 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘳 | 𝘋𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘎𝘰-𝘎𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 | 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘤𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳

Brielle Neumann is the heart, sparkle, and founder behind Smile Stories: The Movement—which began as a passion project and blossomed into a global movement. Born and raised in Northport, NY, Brielle has been a professional goofball and positivity enthusiast since she can remember. Whether cracking a joke, cheering up a stranger, or just being her naturally warm and energetic self, she’s always had a knack for making the world a brighter place.

She graduated from Binghamton University, where she studied Human Development (or as she likes to call it, the “people person” degree) and Education. After she graduated, she began to reflect on what really matters most in life. One big question kept popping into her mind: "What actually makes people happy—and how can I make myself and others feel more of that?"

So, with a whole lot of heart and a background rooted in human connection, Brielle started simply by asking others, “What’s been making you smile recently?” That single question lit a spark that became The Smile Movement—igniting everything from interactive Smile Walls to school presentations, corporate collaborations, and so much more.

What began as one person’s passion has grown into a vibrant community of like-minded, joy-filled humans. Brielle is endlessly grateful for every person who has supported her, the movement, and shared a smile with her along the way.

When she’s not out there spreading joy, you can find Brielle:

• ⚽️ Coaching kids in soccer (who have more energy than a double espresso)
  
  

• 🎸 Jamming with friends (because every day deserves a party)
  
  

• 🐶 Hanging out with her adorable goldendoodle, Winnie
  
  

Brielle is on a mission to remind people that life is better when you laugh loudly, connect deeply, and pass the good vibes on.

So now it’s your turn… pass it on 🤩