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Article: How One Women Became a Popular Black-Owned Shoe Designer

How One Women Became a Popular Black-Owned Shoe Designer

How I became a popular black owned shoe designer, you may wonder! Well, it started with a vision and a dream realized. I didn’t initially have a thought or dream of becoming any of these three words – shoe designer, popular, or business owner.

I have always been an ambitious woman. But my journey was climbing the corporate ladder and becoming the best in my field and possibly being recognized for doing something incredible in STEM. I have an affinity for STEM (STEAM) and always have. It’s incredibly important that black women make a mark, share our stories and journey, especially in this area because like the footwear industry, there are not a lot of people of color and women making significant strides and taking up space. That is the consistent thread of my corporate career and pivoting into footwear… to be the best, share my journey and make a mark/leave my legacy.

The vision of being a footwear designer came and I was in a space mentally to receive it. I then acted on that dream/vision with no hesitation. I recall shopping at well-known big retailer, buying 3 pair of designer shoes to celebrate myself (retail therapy). I wore a pair to a night out with friends and a piece of the shoe fell off. I was extremely upset and took the shoe back to be exchanged or returned. The salesperson informed me, since I loved the shoes, that they could have them repaired. The repair cost nearly half of what I paid for the shoes. I was livid!!! But that led to a key decision in my business model. I wanted to price my luxury designer shoes at a reasonably fair price point so that hard working women could purchase multiple pairs of shoes and not feel regret instead they would feel happy about treating herself. New shoes should be a fun experience not a regrettable one.

I did my research and due diligence, took a footwear course and during that course I realized that the dream and vision of being a shoe designer was going to be my next chapter. After taking the course in December of 2013, I wrote my business plan which consisted of everything that I wanted – no holds bar. I didn’t second guess anything, the sky was the limit in my mind. I was able to meet and work with some talented and remarkable people that supported and helped me along the way. I’m a firm believer that if it’s something that is destined for you, all things will align. That’s exactly what happened. I was able to have my logo designed by an international firm, a dear friend was a patent-trademark attorney and helped with that process (and still is my patent-trademark attorney), then my program and project management transferrable skills from corporate kicked in and I did exactly what I was good at…building a team, executing a plan and delivery.

To bring the vision to light, I built a small team of consultants/freelancers and launched the brand in September 2015.  When I first launched, social media (Instragram) was a new thing and it was easier to build a community and have reach online via social media. That was a blessing, because that’s what lead to my popularity with some amazing people that I’ve been fortunate enough to design for or to have wear my shoes, from designing a custom pair of shoes for Bevy Smith for the Met Gala to actress/Golden Globe winner, Anya Taylor Joy, to real multi-faceted women like Bozama Saint John and others (my solemates – customers) that I built my brand for proudly, boldly wearing my shoes. WOW!!! What a ride it’s been…a real case study!!!

And today, as we approach 10 years there’s so much more to experience. This may sound cliché but we’re just getting started. There’s a new dream and vision to carry my brand into this next chapter. I hope that you all are ready because I AM!!!!

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