Bend women build toy business to promote equal representation for children

(Update: Adding video, comments)

'It's really important to us that children can have a doll that looks like them'

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Nicole Ybarrondo and Sheila Correa of Bend wanted the best for their children, but struggled to find eco-friendly and naturally sourced toys on the market. So they decided to take it upon themselves to start a company -- out of their own homes -- and sell such products.

"Two houses, two moms, two garages, a living room and a dining room,” Correa said.

But their business, Little Wonder & Co., actually was started with a bigger goal in mind -- to remind everyone that "Representation Matters," as their slogan says.

Their most popular, and arguably most important products are about two dozen dolls with a variety of backgrounds and challenges, ranging from ones with African or Asian descent to those with Down syndrome.

"It's really important to us that children can have a doll that looks like them," Ybarrondo told NewsChannel 21 Thursday.

They launched at the end of last year, and immediately business was booming. They sold $215,000 during the holiday rush in November and December.

"The Down syndrome dolls are one of our best-sellers,” Correa said.

The dolls are made in Spain. Then, Ybarrondo and Correa package each product and push them out to customers around the world.

One of their customers in Illinois documented her Down syndrome daughter receiving a doll. Her wonderful reaction went viral on TikTok.

The video racked up more than 5 million views in less than 48 hours.

"It just makes everything worth it,” Ybarrondo said. “It's why we do what we do."

Ybarrondo and Correa are in the process of designing their own doll for the first time. They said it'll be a blonde baby with Down syndrome.

The launch is later this month, on March 21, which is World Down Syndrome Day.