Dolls....Dreams....Dedication
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$3,838 raised of $25K
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Apple Podcast interview from In The Doll World 
DOLLS....DREAMS....DEDICATION! On December 7, 2016, I received the call every parent “dreads.” Your son, Cleve Wycoff (CJ) has been stabbed and rushed to the hospital in “serious” condition. The attack happened when CJ and his partner were leaving a restaurant. The attack was considered a “hate crime.” Racial and homophobic chants were repeated as CJ was kicked, punched and stabbed in the lungs. The injuries sustained resulted in CJ being hospitalized for one week. If things couldn't get any worse, CJ had just accepted a new job offer the week of his attack. The injuries and PTSD prevented CJ from meeting his start date; therefore, the employer withdrew their offer leaving CJ unemployed.
Fast forward two weeks later; CJ said to me, “Mom, I really thought I was going to die! I thought about the people I love and the things I never told them. I thought about my doll designs and how I would never have the chance to share them with the world. It's true what they say, “your life passes before your eyes.” For too long, I have put my dolls on hold. It is my dream to design dolls that “truly” have characteristics of the culture they represent. Black, Latino and multi-ethnic dolls that represent modern urban culture. Most doll manufacturers change only the skin tones in their dolls with very mild ethnic features. Leaving out the body characteristics and authenticity that makes each culture unique and beautiful. Mom, I think I need to start a company.”
CJ's love affair with dolls started at the age of seven. His sister, Clevoria was given a Christie doll (Barbie's African-American friend) for Christmas. Every Christmas CJ would receive gifts of trucks, super heroes, etc.; however, it was Clevoria's Barbie dolls that captured CJ's interest. As an adult CJ's love affair with dolls spans 20 years; with a magnificent collection of more than one thousand Barbie/fashion dolls.
After recuperating from the attack, CJ made a decision to sell his home, dream car and cashed in his 40lK which enabled him to follow his “dream” full-time for three years as he built his doll company, Studio XOXO! From the ground up . When funds began to run low; CJ took on freelance work and began selling his prized doll collection which he had spent so many years collecting, to support himself. CJ's dedication and tenacity has brought him to the foot of his “rainbow.” Just as he was almost there, COVID-19 put a stop to a small business investor which would have enabled CJ to complete the second phase production of his new line of fashion dolls; projected to enter the market the second quarter of 2020. COVID-19 also affected CJ's freelance work with less contracts being offered.
Before officially taken the leap into building his own company, CJ dedicated many years to perfecting skills that are essential to the manufacturing of commercial products in the doll industry. CJ took a “learn by doing” approach, being that there are no “how to books”on starting a successful doll company. CJ spent three years creating general fashion designs for his doll creations. CJ developed technology tools, intellectual properties which includes face sculpts, body sculpts and various other design elements needed to compete in today's highly competitive companies in the multi-billion dollar doll industry.
My son has a big heart and has always thought “outside the box.” The challenges CJ has encountered on his journey has led him to create a unique component to his company. His doll products will generate proceeds and awareness of non-profits, charities and programs that are enriching communities and fostering positive change.
For those of you who know CJ personally; you can attest that CJ is one of the most loving, kind and generous individual you may ever have the pleasure of knowing. I am proud and in awe of the man my son has become. It has not been easy watching CJ meet and overcome the many challenges and obstacles that have come his way. With each one, CJ has dried his tears, dusted off his knees and went at it again. I am a proud “Mama Dragon.”
Please find it in your heart and budget to help CJ “over his rainbow” to meet his destiny. The world will be better for it. As you can imagine, the cost of mass producing goods and transport is expensive to say the least. Any amount that can be shared will be greatly appreciated. Every contribution will be a step closer to a successful launch.
DOLLS....DREAMS....DEDICATION! On December 7, 2016, I received the call every parent “dreads.” Your son, Cleve Wycoff (CJ) has been stabbed and rushed to the hospital in “serious” condition. The attack happened when CJ and his partner were leaving a restaurant. The attack was considered a “hate crime.” Racial and homophobic chants were repeated as CJ was kicked, punched and stabbed in the lungs. The injuries sustained resulted in CJ being hospitalized for one week. If things couldn't get any worse, CJ had just accepted a new job offer the week of his attack. The injuries and PTSD prevented CJ from meeting his start date; therefore, the employer withdrew their offer leaving CJ unemployed.Fast forward two weeks later; CJ said to me, “Mom, I really thought I was going to die! I thought about the people I love and the things I never told them. I thought about my doll designs and how I would never have the chance to share them with the world. It's true what they say, “your life passes before your eyes.” For too long, I have put my dolls on hold. It is my dream to design dolls that “truly” have characteristics of the culture they represent. Black, Latino and multi-ethnic dolls that represent modern urban culture. Most doll manufacturers change only the skin tones in their dolls with very mild ethnic features. Leaving out the body characteristics and authenticity that makes each culture unique and beautiful. Mom, I think I need to start a company.”
CJ's love affair with dolls started at the age of seven. His sister, Clevoria was given a Christie doll (Barbie's African-American friend) for Christmas. Every Christmas CJ would receive gifts of trucks, super heroes, etc.; however, it was Clevoria's Barbie dolls that captured CJ's interest. As an adult CJ's love affair with dolls spans 20 years; with a magnificent collection of more than one thousand Barbie/fashion dolls.
After recuperating from the attack, CJ made a decision to sell his home, dream car and cashed in his 40lK which enabled him to follow his “dream” full-time for three years as he built his doll company, Studio XOXO! From the ground up . When funds began to run low; CJ took on freelance work and began selling his prized doll collection which he had spent so many years collecting, to support himself. CJ's dedication and tenacity has brought him to the foot of his “rainbow.” Just as he was almost there, COVID-19 put a stop to a small business investor which would have enabled CJ to complete the second phase production of his new line of fashion dolls; projected to enter the market the second quarter of 2020. COVID-19 also affected CJ's freelance work with less contracts being offered.
Before officially taken the leap into building his own company, CJ dedicated many years to perfecting skills that are essential to the manufacturing of commercial products in the doll industry. CJ took a “learn by doing” approach, being that there are no “how to books”on starting a successful doll company. CJ spent three years creating general fashion designs for his doll creations. CJ developed technology tools, intellectual properties which includes face sculpts, body sculpts and various other design elements needed to compete in today's highly competitive companies in the multi-billion dollar doll industry.
My son has a big heart and has always thought “outside the box.” The challenges CJ has encountered on his journey has led him to create a unique component to his company. His doll products will generate proceeds and awareness of non-profits, charities and programs that are enriching communities and fostering positive change.
For those of you who know CJ personally; you can attest that CJ is one of the most loving, kind and generous individual you may ever have the pleasure of knowing. I am proud and in awe of the man my son has become. It has not been easy watching CJ meet and overcome the many challenges and obstacles that have come his way. With each one, CJ has dried his tears, dusted off his knees and went at it again. I am a proud “Mama Dragon.”
Please find it in your heart and budget to help CJ “over his rainbow” to meet his destiny. The world will be better for it. As you can imagine, the cost of mass producing goods and transport is expensive to say the least. Any amount that can be shared will be greatly appreciated. Every contribution will be a step closer to a successful launch.