Our story
It all began with a simple dream – a dream shared by two sisters with a shared love for children, shoes and making a difference. They envisioned a world where ALL kids love to wear shoes! Charleeboo, inspired by Danette’s eldest daughter Charlee, was born from this desire to change the world one pair of shoes at a time!
Charleeboo aims to be more than just a shoe brand. It aspires to be a companion on your child's life journeys, big and small.
Fuelled by their shared love for adventure and a newfound awareness of the importance of comfortable footwear for small children, Danette witnessed her young daughter struggling with social anxiety, and a new idea was ignited. She envisioned a shoe brand that not only provides comfort and style, but also addresses mental health struggles in children.
…. excitement with a lasting educational footprint.
The early bumps on Charleeboo’s road: Struggles that shaped Success
No journey is without its hurdles. Starting a new business requires capital, and Charleeboo was no different, but our early struggles forced us to be resourceful adaptable and persistent. We learned valuable lessons about finding funding, balancing design elements and building brand awareness, all of which would be crucial for Charleeboo’s future success.
What sets Charleeboo apart?
We are more than shoes
The Charleeboo Difference: Charleeboos were developed with the aim to inspire and boost the self-confidence of little ones on their journey of discovery. 3D characters known as Travelmates accompany little ones wherever they go. Each Travelmate is linked to storybooks teaching children strategies to deal with their worries.
Comfort for every adventure: Charleeboo shoes are designed to prioritize comfort without sacrificing style. We aim to be the perfect companion, whether you’re exploring a bustling city, venturing on a nature hike, or simply strolling through your local park.
Charleeboo: Where Comfort Meets Confidence – Values and Uniqueness of a Special Kids shoe brand
Charleeboo isn’t just a shoe brand; it’s a champion for childhood confidence. Here’s how to capture Charleeboo’ values and uniqueness in the context of children experiencing social anxiety.
Understanding the challenge
Social anxiety in children
Social anxiety in children is a growing concern, affecting a significant portion of our younger population. It manifests differently in children than in adults. At its core, social anxiety in children involves an intense fear of social situations. This fear stems from a belief that they will be judged, scrutinised or embarrassed by their peers.
The impact on well-being
The constant fear of being judged or criticized can be exhausting and make it very difficult for children to relax. They might become overly focused on saying or doing the right thing, hindering their ability to be spontaneous and authentic. They might also feel overwhelmed, isolated, and lonely, which can eventually manifest physically. Children might experience stomach aches, headaches, sweating, or difficulty breathing. This amplifies their anxiety and creates a vicious cycle. All of these symptoms make it very hard for children to learn and play every day.
Charleeboo’s Values
We embrace the journey, not just the destination: Charleeboo isn’t just about the shoes themselves; its about the experience they enable. We celebrate the journey, the small moments of exploration and connection, over the pressure to reach a specific destination.
Sustainable Practices: Charleeboo is committed to using sustainable materials and ethical production processes. This resonates with a growing segment of consumers who value environmental responsibility.
Confidence through Exploration
Charleeboo shoes are build to encourage exploration and adventure. Whether its playing on the playground, venturing outdoors, or simply navigating a bustling school hallway, Charleeboo empowers children to embrace new experiences with confidence
Combat Anxiety
The term “enclothed cognition” used in psychology, is the systematic influence that shoes have on the wearer's psychological processes. Enclothed cognition involves the co-occurrence of two independent factors—the symbolic meaning of the shoes and the physical experience of wearing them. The positive change to a child's emotions wearing a pair of Charleeboo is based on the enclothed cognition theory.
Travelmates are connected to stories teaching children gentle strategies how to deal with their anxiety. Being accompanied by their Travelmates, children are constantly reminded of these coping methods throughout the day.
Comfort First
At the heart of Charleeboo lies the belief that physical comfort is the foundation for emotional wellbeing. Our shoes are designed with high-quality, breathable materials and supportive features to ensure all-day comfort, allowing children to focus on having fun rather than worrying about their feet.
