We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nay Thomas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nay below.
Alright, Nay thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.
Summer of 2021, I decided I wanted to expand my shoe boutique and not only provide resale items. I wanted to design my own custom ladies boots. I found a shoe maker in Nigeria, July 2021. I wanted to release the boots for the 2021 holiday season. The shoe maker confirmed she would be able to get me the shoes by the holidays. She did have a concern. If she had to make sample boots, ship them to the USA and then get my approval to move forward with production, I wouldn’t receive them for the holidays. She suggested I give her the measurements, she would send me videos of the process and the completion of the first boot. This would be done before she began the full production. She sent me the videos and the boots looked beautiful. We then confirmed the quantity and the measurements for the boots. I paid her $7500. Nov 2021, three weeks before the holidays, she reaches out and stated the boots wouldn’t arrive in time. I was crushed and didn’t have a winter collection to release. I ended up releasing resale winter foot wear. I eventually received the custom boots February 2022. I was so upset because winter was nearly over. I tried the boots on and they wouldn’t zip up my calf. I cried for 2 hours. I thought at that moment, I have small calf’s and realized if I couldn’t fit them, more then 70% of women wouldn’t be able to fit them either. I was so distraught and was out of thousands of dollars. This was an expensive learning lesson. Never order multiple items in bulk, if you haven’t touched or physically seen the product. Yes it may take longer, but it will always be worth it. I eventually found another shoe maker in Europe and he was able to bring my vision to life. I released my first custom shoe collection, Winter 2022. I designed two styles of ladies thigh high boots and one men’s fashion sneaker.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Beyoushoetique is a fashionable shoe boutique. I’m originally from New Orleans,LA, currently based out of Atlanta,GA. I launched my shoe business shortly after getting married in early 2019. While shopping for a bridal shoe, I became aware that many shoe companies were only producing footwear 5-6 inches in height. After discussing with friends, I discovered that many other women were facing the same dilemma when shopping for shoes. They had to choose between wearing painful, yet fashionable shoes or comfortable yet unremarkable ones. A few of them also had an issue finding sizes larger than a 10. Women often spend significant amounts of time searching for a shoe that’s stylish and comfortable. As a result, I decided to create Beyoushoetique, a shoe company that specializes in stylish, comfortable and distinctive shoes that are no more than 4 inches in height. Women no longer have to sacrifice their feet or their fashion.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
To grow your clientele, you have to stand out from other brands. Excellent customer service is something that you must always provide. Let your customers know how much you appreciate them. Providing great customer service is going make them want to tell their family, friends and social media about your business.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Owing a shoe boutique, I always keep a pair of my best sellers. When going out to events, parties, brunch or even traveling, I always wear the shoe styles that stand out. Women always approach me and tell me how cute my shoes are. My instant reply is, I sell them, follow me on social media and check out my website. I hand them a business card, which have my social media bar code on it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beyoushoetique.com
- Instagram: Beyoushoetique20
- Facebook: Beyoushoetique