Meet Tracey Sykes Ambrose | Owner/Head Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tracey Sykes Ambrose and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tracey, how does your business help the community?
My hand-crocheted accessories and wearable fashions business has several positive social impacts on my community and the world. It promotes sustainability by offering handmade products that are often more environmentally friendly than mass-produced alternatives. By using sustainable materials and production methods, I encourage conscious consumption and reduce the carbon footprint of the fashion industry.

On a larger scale, Tracey Ambrose W.R.A.P. inspires others to embrace traditional crafts and creativity, fostering a sense of cultural preservation and pride. By sharing my designs and techniques, I contribute to the preservation and celebration of diverse cultural heritage.

Overall, my hand-crocheted accessories and wearable fashions business has a positive social impact by promoting sustainability, supporting local artisans, empowering individuals, and preserving cultural heritage.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is Tracey Ambrose W.R.A.P. Where Crochet Meets Classy and Chic.. Since 2006, Tracey Ambrose W.R.A.P. offers hand crocheted accessories and wearable fashions for women [and men] of many shapes and sizes. I’m committed to crocheting designs unapologetically out of the box/non-traditional yet timeless and limitless.

Tracey Ambrose W.R.A.P. is different because 98% of my collection is designed from no written patterns & I am the only black hand crochet designer in 3 retail locations including an online luxury brand boutique. My handmade wearable art has had steady growth over the last 3 years.

This year (2023), my entrepreneurial journey has been truly tested and challenging when I found myself homeless. Every day, I’m faced with the harsh realities of not having a stable place to live, but I refuse to let it define me or my ambitions. Instead, I channel my energy into finding creative solutions to overcome this challenge. I seek out public spaces with free Wi-Fi to work on my business ideas and connect with potential investors and/or collaborators. I utilize co-working spaces during the day and rely on the kindness of friends and family for a place to sleep at night. This experience is teaching me the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness, as well as the power of a strong support network. Through perseverance and unwavering determination, I not only manage to keep my entrepreneurial dreams alive, but I am also developing a newfound strength and resilience that would shape my future success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Boutique Shopping in the Crenshaw District/Leimert Park

Souvenir shopping in Hollywood/Hollywood walk of Fame

Lunch at The Hart House (Kevin Hart) Vegan Eatery

The District by GS / restaurant / bar
3888 Crenshaw Blvd
Los Angeles, CA

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I will always and forever dedicate my shoutout to my children, Kirk Elijah Ambrose and Kerrington Ray Ambrose. God truly blessed me to give birth to 2 beautiful human beings. Both of my sons are kind, caring, loving, humbled, talented, smart & intelligent, funny, spiritual, supportive people who are going to take the world by storm; an asset to their community. I am grateful and proud to be their mother and honored to help them become upstanding citizens.

My mother, Wanda Wilson, was a force to be reckoned with. Although she passed away at the young age of 42 (from metastatic breast cancer), I witnessed her strength in the struggle of facing terminal cancer. Not one time did I see her give up or throw in the towel because her faith in God illuminated within her day to day life. I adopted her strength and independence; attributing any victories or successes as a mother and womanpreneur to her dedication to living a full life no matter what.

Website: Shoptraceyambrosewrap.com

Instagram: Traceyambrosewrap

Twitter: Shoptsawraps

Facebook: Tracey Ambrose W.R.A.P.

Other: Threads @traceyambrosewrap TikTok @shoptraceyambrosewrap NOW SOLD: Sole Folks in Leimert Park Los Angeles CA Exquisite U Boutique in Sacramento CA Oceans and Roads – luxury brand online boutique