MILFORD – Tia Woods dreams of bringing exposure to black brands and helping people in her community build and keep wealth.
With her business, ITS The Room, Woods, an author, small business owner and elected official in her hometown of East Hartford, now showcases the latest Black brand in a new space inside the Connecticut Post Mall.
Woods, who started the business with her daughter Tiana Allman in 2019, said “Its The Room was started with one common goal – to help other creative professionals start and establish their own successful ventures ”
Woods said ITS The Room is a retail business focused on expanding and highlighting black brands, as well as giving designers the opportunity to build legacy and wealth.
“We give people a chance to create wealth and leave a legacy,” she said. “The goal is to attract people to come in and buy and help keep money in our community. I want to help people in my community create wealth.”
ITS The Room offers Black business owners of all types – from clothing brands and beauty products to artwork – the opportunity to sell their products year-round in storefronts and online. The store features a great selection of ever-changing local, small or independently designed products that showcase the best of Connecticut and beyond, she said.
Their hope is to “increase sales by encouraging and assisting designers – not only with a physical space to display their products, but also by providing business owners with the tools and skills needed to gain a larger audience and a stronger brand.” To support other small businesses by providing a rich online presence”. recognition,” she said.
Started small to feature some 27 vendors with pocketbooks, knit hats, shoes, clothing and oil products. There’s also a small library offering books by black authors, from children’s books to self-help options.
“I’m glad to be giving people a place to put their stuff on the store shelf,” Woods said.
To help generate foot traffic at her mall location, Woods has hosted poetry readings and book signings, but she’s gone big for her latest endeavor — a runway at the mall’s Central Court on Jan. 21 at 4 p.m. Show.
The free show will feature approximately 10 designers who will take to the stage to showcase their designs for ITS the Room. There will also be a VIP after-show event at the store. For information about the show or after the show, visit itstheroomct.com or email [email protected]
Woods said the show is dedicated to bringing together a variety of designers of all skill levels. These designers will be showcasing their work in five categories – Urban Wear, High Fashion, Evening Elegant, Urban Active and Night Life Casual.
The event will also feature two award-winning poets, T’Challa Williams and his daughter, Tiana, and comedian Micah Jean.
“I found my purpose. My heart is with my community, and I want to see all of us thrive,” she said. “It’s scary, it is. But if dreams don’t scare you, you’re not dreaming big enough.” Enough.”
