Upscale LIVE Magazine Volume 2 - March/ April 2014 - Issue 2 | Page 30

What are your biggest concerns/issues while running this business?
My issues are managing to prove myself to larger manufacturer companies and getting
them to respect my company. They don’t respect the startup businesses since our orders
aren’t as large as the chain stores. No respect AT ALL! They will give your order away and
will not think twice about it. And It is difficult to predict the demand for shoes. It is also difficult to return them for a credit to distributors. The styles, trends and seasons change so
often in a shoe store that managing large amounts of unsold inventory is common. I have
had to sell items on clearance, sometimes at a loss, or give them away to make room for
new selections.
Where do you see the future for women’s shoes?
Women shoes are constantly evolving. It’s to the point now where its wearable art. The future will be much bolder and brighter for the next generation.
What is a typical workday at Faint Like?
Well, I still have a full time job. So, my day usually starts at 5 in the morning. I wake up and
check emails. That’s done before I even get out of bed. LOL…If I have orders, I prepare
them for shipment before I head out to work. During my lunch break, I am dropping shipments off at the Post Office. Throughout the day, I am answering customer emails and looking at new shoes to order. It’s a constant process. It’s challenging finding a balance, but you
can’t chase dreams standing still. Being an entrepreneur is a 365/24/7 job. I have to make
myself sleep and eat.
That is quite a long day, I guess if you enjoy what you do then it makes it all the better,
what do find most enjoyable?
Meeting new people is one thing I enjoy the most. I love interacting with people at various
events. It gives me a chance to learn my customers, and see what shoes they respond to.
Are there any negatives to your job?
The only negative, I can think of, is the task of finding cute shoes that support women who
wear sizes above 11 (12’s and 13’s). Some manufacturers don’t make shoes that big and I
have lost quite a few customers because they can’t fit the shoes.