Who is behind the Product? I am. After I had my daughter, I was frustrated by the lack of choice on the high street for classic styles for kids. While there is a wealth of sensible school shoes, sneakers and sparkles, I wanted to be able to buy shoes for my daughter that reflected how I like to see her dress. Spotting this gap in the market, I was driven to start my own business, using my 15 years experience as a shoe designer to create a brand to appeal to like-minded parents and kids. How did the company get started? Having a background in footwear design I was able to use my contacts in the industry to find a European factory to partner with. I was also lucky to have friends and family in business that could advise and help me to create my brand vision. What is the company about? Young Soles is about bringing retro-cool back to the kids. I’m hugely influenced by British heritage brands and retro styling, but could see that there was a gap in the market for higher-end designs for children. I wanted to mix British heritage styling with contemporary details to create a fresh approach to children’s classic shoes. Although my designs have a strong sense of style it is important for me as both a designer and a parent that my shoes are versatile and work with many different outfits. I’m also keen to ensure that I am offering a quality product to parents, a product that has all the benefits that a child’s shoe should have, lasts that follow the shape of the foot with a wide toe and narrow heel; comfortable soft leather uppers and linings that allow the upper to mould to the contours of the foot; and a light weight and flexible outsole. I chose to place development and production in Portugal, a country with a heritage in shoe making and which can boast some of the best shoe makers in the world. What do you hope to achieve? Like anyone with a vision, I hope that people will continue to love my product, I’m bursting with ideas for next season. It would be amazing to take the Young Soles British concept worldwide. What has been the highlight of starting your own company? There have been many. Firstly working for myself has meant I have had the flexibility of being able to work around my daughter, which can present a challenge when working for someone else. A highlight for me personally has been when I’ve been out and about in London and my daughter’s Young Soles shoes have attracted attention from people of all ages. Passers by stop me and ask where her shoes are from, and comment on how cool she looks and how her shoes have bought back a sense of nostalgia for them. Being able to see and hear first hand the reaction my product is causing has been truly amazing.
For more information, please contact: e: hello@youngsoles.co.uk w: www.youngsoles.co.uk @young_soles facebook.com/youngsoleslondon instagram.com/youngsoleslondon
What has been the downside of starting your own company? It’s always tough when launching a new business. Balancing work and family life is a constant challenge, especially at the start when you have to put many hours in to building your business up from scratch. I’ve quickly had to get used to taking on many different roles. What would your advice be to any parent wanting to start up their own business? My advice would be to never under-estimate the help and support you can draw from those around you. Those close to you want to see you succeed and are part of the journey. Do not let being a parent hold you back. I will always be a mother first and foremost, but I also feel it’s important to follow your passions in life. I hope by building my own business I can show my daughter that if you work hard you can achieve anything that you put your mind to.
Photography by: Flannery O’Kafka http://flanneryokafkaphotography.blogspot.co.uk/
I’m also of the philosophy that a happy parent equals a happy child.
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