Spring is right around the corner. Do you know what that means? Well, besides joy abounding after longing for the end of winter days, it means it is time for Spring cleaning. Yes, it is time to clean those closets out. Time to let go of some of those shoes. Ironically, at the same time, it is the time to add a few new pieces into that closet. A fabulous pair of high heels sandals are definitely a must have when shopping for a Spring wardrobe.
Ladies, I have a solution that will help you clean out your closet, make a little extra money, and get a pair of fabulous heels without breaking the budget. The site, If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit” is the budget-friendly solution for the fashion-savvy diva in us all. Ellen, is the creator and owner of If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit.
1. Tell the Queen in Heels readers a little about yourself.
Knowing what to tell you about myself is always challenging for me. There are so many facets to my personality and aspects of myself it’s hard to know where to begin. My mother wanted to be sure I wouldn’t go broke from my shoe addiction so she encouraged me to get a broad education.
I’m a registered pharmacist by training with a dual degree in education and a certification in Instructional Design and Development. As a freelance writer, trainer, and instructional designer for the last twelve years I’ve enjoyed running my own business and working with companies to identify gaps and develop training solutions to address them.
Being a certified Dale Carnegie Course trainer for over 22 years has allowed me to personally train and coach over 3000 participants to reach their potential and enhance their lives. It’s incredibly fulfilling to feel that you have a part in helping people change their lives. They are the ones that make the choices and actually make the changes, but as a coach and through the principles of the course, it’s amazing to have a part in that process!
As a Reiki Master since 1997, a practitioner of EFT and a number of other complementary healing modalities, I’ve had a hands-on healing practice in my home for many years. This may seem a bit odd at first since I am a pharmacist – but I look at it all as tools in a toolbox. You use the right tool for the right situation – it’s not an either/or choice. There are several tools that can do the same job – some easier than others – and some with less stress to the “area” than others. You can also use more than one tool and they work together to get even better results.
In between all of this, I’ve started and run several small businesses over the years as well been a consultant to others.
I guess I’m a classic Gemini – I am always doing “something” !
2. What is “If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit”?
Very simply put, If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit is an auction site for shoe lovers. It’s a place to sell, swap, or shop for shoes and shoe accessories.
3. Why did you decide to create a site like “If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit”?
I’m a shoe addict. I just love shoes. All my life I would walk into a store, find a pair of shoes I absolutely adore and try them on. I’d walk around the carpeted store for 5 minutes. They would feel ok, or they might even pinch a little, but I’d convince myself they’d stretch and that they’d get more comfortable. So I’d take them home and wear them out for an evening and without fail, after less than an hour my feet would be in agony and at the end of the night those shoes would be resigned to the back of my closet, never to be worn again.
It really didn’t matter whether I bought low or high heels, expensive or bargain brands. I wear everything from sneakers and flats, to stilettos–expensive designers names or shoes I buy at Target or Payless – if they fit my feet – I wear them.
I found that while I adore the look of high fashion designer shoes like Louboutins, my 6.5ww feet don’t always fare well in them. The one amazing pair of Louboutins I saved for and wore only once, were a shared taste with my 1 year old golden retriever puppy who ate the left one…good thing she is very cute! But I digress…
My eyes and heart like more outlandish looking shoes with higher heels, but my feet prefer more conservative ones. So I would buy my “Smile and Suffer Shoes” and love the way I looked in them, but after one wearing they were usually resigned to my closet (and my attic- which is another closet) has topped 300 pairs at times, and is at a conservative 120-130 or so right now.
The last straw was in January of 2009 when I was going out to dinner and had bought the perfect pair of heels to wear with an outfit. I had done the whole store thing and was sure these shoes would be comfortable, alright, wearable; I figured I’d at least make it through the evening. I left my house and within less than an hour, my feet were in pain and had swollen to become flippers instead of feet! It wasn’t pretty! I was frustrated because I now had another pair of shoes I knew I’d never wear again. From previous experience I knew that selling shoes on eBay was not only complex, but expensive and ate up my profits. Plus, I’d go online to sell my shoes and be distracted by everything else on eBay and end up buying something, which is a challenge with general auction sites.
So when I came home that night, I decided there had to be a better way. I sat down and came up with the idea of an auction site for shoe lovers that was, simple, straightforward, and affordable. This is how If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit was born.
4. How does “If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit” work?
If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit was designed to simplify life for the online seller and their business and make it easier for shoe lovers to find and buy shoes.
The fee to list shoes for sale on the site is $1.00…that’s it. Pay a dollar, post the shoes. Sell the shoes, keep the money. There are no final value fees, no fees for photos, bolded headlines, highlights or gallery listings (unlike other auction sites). It’s simple and affordable.
The site is ideal, easy enough and within the means of the casual seller; there’s even a video to walk new sellers through a listing step-by-step How To List Shoes. Perfect for the gal who runs out of space in her closet but can’t bear the thought of throwing away her forgotten footwear; she can make some money and buy new shoes! She can spend a dollar at McDonald’s and get two apple pies, or she can spend a dollar on If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit and turn enough profit to buy two pairs of candy apple peep-toe pumps instead.
For the seller who wants to do a bit more, pay $15/month for a Personal store and get 50% off listings. Or the site offers something unique called Master stores (also $15/month), which are a network you can create of up to eight stores or individual members who all get the same discount and sell under one umbrella.
Different and unique is also the opportunity to swap shoes on the same site! Without ever having to leave the comfort of home or step out of pajamas, shoe lovers can connect with people who share their sense of style and shoe size. Listing shoes for swaps is always FREE!
5. As a woman entrepreneur, what advice do you have for other women starting a business?
Take advantage of the available services that are out there but don’t be intimidated by them. There is a lot to do when starting a business, especially when you are a one person show. Trying to do it all on your own is impossible. I think as women, we sometimes have that “superwomen” complex that makes us feel like we “should” be able to do everything all the time. Or that asking for help is “failure”. In reality, the smartest thing you can do is ask for help when you need it. Trying to muddle through sets you up for struggles and delays along your journey. So I would recommend that you join networking groups, forums, business groups, and ask for help when you need it. Along the way, as you learn, remember to give back to those who need the skills and services you can provide.
6. What advice would you give a woman starting a business online?
Consider learning part of your work. I am 49 and I have owned and operated several brick and mortar businesses, but admittedly, this is my first online business. I have had to learn a LOT about internet marketing, social networking, backlinks, etc. But what I am finding is that we live in a time where what I learn changes as fast as I learn it. So I can never stop learning or consider myself an expert on things. No matter how much I think I know about page ranks for Google, they go and change the algorithm and it’s a whole new ballgame. New things that no one considered before are now important. So one key piece of advice is to never stop learning – as one of my favorite Dale Carnegie trainers used to tell me, “If you’re not green and growing, you’re ripe and rotting!”
That has to be balanced with the concept that even though you are running an online business, some basic business tenants still apply. Customer service still matters! Take the time to connect and communicate with your customers. Some people in online businesses forget this because they don’t see the customer face to face, but it’s just as important, if not more important here than ever. Listen to your customer; you can’t always make everything better or give everyone everything they want – especially if it is really impossible, but you can always listen and let the customer know he or she was heard. Good human relations skills will serve you well even online.
7. Which woman/women (personally, professionally, or famous) have influenced you.
My sister has influenced me because she is a woman who has the ability to be ok with where she is and who she is no matter what anyone thinks, no matter what goes on around her, no matter what happens. She seems to have an inner peace, a sense that says “I am ok just for being me – and if the rest of the world doesn’t get it, oh well.” I think in some ways, that is something you are born with, but at the same time, it is something I work towards and try to learn from her.
My mother, was a pioneer. At 19 she went off to Chicago to see the world and then came back to Boston where her family was. Despite not having a college degree, she got a job at Lincoln Labs at MIT and worked with the group that developed printed circuitry- her name is even in the original manuals. She worked until she was 81, and at 85 is just now considering assisted living. She’s hardworking and bit stubborn – I think it’s pretty easy to say she’s been an influence.
Site: If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit”
Twitter: Twitter/ITSDF
Facebook: Facebook/ITSDF
Blog: Speaker in Heels
Thank you, Ellen for sharing your story and business savvy with Queen in Heels readers.
