Get to know Shambrica Washington and a few of her creative expert achievements: After overcoming an abusive broken marriage and homelessness, Shambrica Washington Shaye Damus moved back to Colorado Springs and continued to pursue her dream of owning a one-of-a-kind internationally known children’s boutique. In 2011, she established Tiny Toes and Tiaras, and since then the store has been nominated for the Gold Daisy Award for the best baby boutique in Colorado Springs and has gained international attention. Piccoli Couture has since been featured at New York and Paris Fashion Week. The brand has gained attention from Forbes, Vogue, and countless other media outlets. Discover extra details at https://www.tinytoesandtiaras.com/pages/about-us.
Tiny Toes Toes and Tiaras clothing are made with those hard to find details such as hand smocked embroidery, and appliqués. Designs feature many outfits for portraits, holidays,weddings or special occasions. In 2018 we presented our 2018 FW Collection at New York Fashion Week.
Nestie Luxury Baby provides Custom Furniture Designs for children soacestheir award-winning Luxury Nursery, and Children’s Custom Furniture Designs as well as Interior Design Services. We have been in business for over 10 years and are trusted by families near and far. The intricate design details on our furniture and Bespoke Bedding and Bespoke Nursery Designs are incomparable. We pride ourselves on functionality, luxury, and safety.
Funding for Black startups in the U.S. has always been small compared to startup funding overall, but last year was an exception, with a record amount of dollars invested in Black-owned companies. Quarterly funding was much higher in the five previous quarters, ranging between $850 million and $1.2 billion, according to Crunchbase’s Diversity Spotlight. According to a 2020 Bureau of Economic Research paper, the average level of startup capital for Black entrepreneurs is just $35,205, compared to $106,720 for white entrepreneurs. Only 1 percent of Black businesses obtain business loans in their first year, as opposed to 7 percent of white-owned firms.
Why supporting Black-owned businesses is important? Although Jim Crow laws were deemed unconstitutional in 1954 and the civil rights movement of the 1960s forced the end of segregation, unfair banking practices persisted. It wasn’t until 1977, when the federal Community Reinvestment Act was passed to fight racial discrimination in lending, that these practices became illegal. Challenges remain. Statistically, securing capital and investors is more difficult for Black-owned businesses. Crunchbase reported that venture funding for Black startups in the U.S. took a steep drop in the second quarter of this year, at $324 million, after showing signs of growth in prior quarters.
Tiny Toes and Tiaras, a 100% Black-owned upscale online children’s boutique, introduces a new handmade couture sleeper for babies, the Nestie. Available in many beautiful patterns, the baby mat or bassinet can be converted for sleep time, nap time, tummy time, co-sleeping, and floor play. With Nestie, babies not only dress in the best styles, but they also sleep in style.
“Fashionable baby items do not have to be limited to just clothes,” said Shambrica Washington, Owner of Tiny Toes and Tiaras. “We’re changing the luxury baby goods game with our new baby mat, the Nestie.”
The made-to-order Nestie may be customized in different colors, or ordered in one of the pre-designed combinations of fabric patterns. The multi-use sleeper is reversible, trimmed in beautiful lace, and comes with cute decorative pillows.
The Nestie and other special items from Tiny Toes and Tiaras may be browsed from the comfort of one’s home, and promptly delivered worldwide. The boutique offers coordinating outfits available for portraits, holidays, weddings or other special occasions and includes hard-to-find details. Its unique flower girl dresses have been featured in Brides Magazine UK London.
Tiny Toes and Tiaras will officially release and showcase the Nestie at the Children’s Club tradeshow in early August with Barney’s New York, Neiman and Marcus, Sak’s Fifth Avenue, and many more major retail buyers in attendance.