About Cleatsandtutu

On a sunny summer Saturday afternoon in 2022, when my daughter was just eight years old, I was cleaning out her closet. At the very back, hanging neatly, were three beautiful dance dresses — picture-perfect, ready to be worn again, ready to make a little girl feel like a princess and twirl like a ballerina. My daughter had worn each one for barely an hour during her dance performances before they were tucked away on the hanger.

I couldn't bring myself to pack them into a box or drop them into a white plastic bag for Goodwill, where they would sit on a shelf with a price tag. I wanted something more. I wanted another little girl to enjoy these dresses without paying a single penny — to wear them for a dance, a party, or just for the joy of it — and then pass them along so the cycle could continue.

The same feeling grew with my son's soccer journey. He's been playing since he was six years old, both in India and here at home. With every growth spurt came a need for new cleats — often costing $40, $120, or even more. At first, we tossed the old ones into donation bins. Later, we started giving them directly to schools, hoping they'd reach kids who needed them.

It struck us — some families can easily afford these essentials, while others can't, no matter how talented their children are. Many kids miss out on opportunities simply because their parents must choose groceries over gear. That reality sparked the idea: to create a way for children to access dance dresses and cleats — at no cost — so their talent and joy are never limited by finances.

That idea, and the belief that every child deserves a chance to shine, gave birth to Cleats and Tutus.