SHELBY — Eighteen-year-old Daviney Winck has had entrepreneurial blood from a young age.
She began pressing T-shirts and had a booth at the Little Shops of Shelby beginning about three years ago.
On Tuesday, Winck celebrated the grand opening of her own store at 39 E. Main Street, settled between Beyond Blessed Boutique and the Whispering Willow Way Boutique.
The shop carries women’s clothing, jewelry, hats and other accessories.
“I’ve always wanted to own my own business,” the high school senior said. “I started at The Little Shops of Shelby and then decided to branch on my own for after high school.
“I hope it’s successful — hopefully it will last forever.”
Daviney said she was inspired by her mom Whittney Allen-Winck to get started in the fashion business.
“My mom has a booth at the Little Shops of Shelby and I started pressing T-shirts and got my own booth over there,” she said.
Her mother said the Whimsy Tulip boutique is completely Daviney’s project. Daviney’s favorite flower is a tulip.
“She started with tissue and T-shirt pressing, and she’s always been very into styling,” the mother said. “We’re proud of her and super excited.”
The teenage entrepreneur said the shop offers a bit of everything for women’s clothing.
“I want my customers to feel welcome, and I hope they love the products and can find things within their style,” she said.
The Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, Richland County commissioners and Shelby Mayor Steve Schag celebrated with Winck and her family Tuesday.
“Davani had a spot over across the road at our Little Shops of Shelby where we have some 50+ vendors,” Schag said.
“This gives her an opportunity to expand things and get her products on display in a wonderful way. We’re very grateful for that entrepreneurial spirit, Daviney, and thank you for investing your time and energy here in Shelby.”
Commissioner Tony Vero said downtown Shelby should have additional foot traffic than previous years with the opening of the Black Fork Commons plaza in fall 2023.
“You couldn’t ask for a better time to open a business in Shelby,” Vero said. “You have new restaurants, new breweries and developments downtown. If there is ever a time to start a business in Shelby, now is the time. And we wish you nothing but the best.”
Richland Area Chamber CEO Ellen Heinz also congratulated the teenager on opening her own brick-and-mortar.
“It is absolutely stunning inside,” she said. “I encourage anybody to come in and shop and enjoy some of what Shelby has to offer. There’s clothing, purses, jewelry — lots of things to see.”
Whimsy Tulip is open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
The boutique is also active on Facebook. It is closed Easter Sunday but usually open noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.