Today on the podcast I'm speaking to Laura Gillett. Laura is the founder of Stomperz, a children's shoe brand specialising in wide fitting shoes in fun, affordable styles, which have just launched. 

Laura and I talked about what it takes to come up with an idea, and then implement an idea for a product. The focus is on the early stages of starting up a business, and how Laura managed this alongside her full-time job and young family.

Listen in to hear Laura share:

• An introduction to herself and her business (01:07)
• What inspired her to create her own product (01:30)
• Researching how to to create her own shoes (02:46)
• Finding a shoe designer (05:59)
• Finding a manufacturer (07:24)
• The time frame involved (08:30)
• The launch range (09:47)
• Testing the prototypes (13:19)
• Working with the manufacturer in China (16:50)
• Building her website (21:56)
• Getting insurance (24:21)
• Her launch plans (25:48)
• Being realistic about her time when also working full time (29:28)
• Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (30:12)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

Stomperz Shoes Website

Stomperz Shoes Instagram

Stomperz Shoes Facebook

Stomperz Shoes Linked In

Stomperz Shoes Twitter

Fiver

LET’S CONNECT

Join my free Facebook group for product makers and creators

Find me on Instagram

Work with me

Mentioned in this episode:

Get special offers on Junglescout here:

The best deals on bestselling tools for building and running a successful Amazon business. https://get.junglescout.com/vicki (Note this is an affiliate link - I recommend it because I use it and love it!)

Welcome to the Bring Your Product Ideas To Life podcast, practical advice,

and inspiration to help you create and sell your own physical products.

Here's your host Vicki Weinberg.

Hi, today on the podcast I'm speaking to Laura Gillett.

Laura is the founder of Stomperz, a children's shoe brand specializing in wide

fitting shoes in fun, affordable styles.

At the time of recording this podcast in the summer of 2022, Laura's shoes

weren't actually available to sell.

They hadn't launched yet.

So we have a really great conversation about what it takes

to come up with an idea and then implement an idea for a product.

So we're talking entirely about the early stages here of starting up a business

and I really think that particularly if you are in the early stages, but

even if you're not, you're going to find this incredibly interesting,

um, eye opening and inspiring.

So I would love now to introduce you to Laura.

So hi, Laura.

Thank you for being here.

Thank you for having me.

Oh, you're so welcome.

Can we please start with you giving us an introduction to your

business and what you sell, please?

Sure.

So my name's Laura and, um, I'm the founder of Stomperz which is a children's

shoe brand that specializes in wide fitting shoes in affordable styles

for, uh, toddlers and preschoolers.

Amazing.

Thank you.

And what inspired you to start doing that?

Because I think to me, starting up a brand selling shoes just seems

like a huge, huge undertaking.

So what was the, first of all, what was your sort of

reason for wanting to do that?

And then we'll talk through how you did it.

Well, my son Olly, was measured as an H

width shoe, um, very early on.

He was about one.

He was just walking and I discovered that it was extremely difficult

to find anything in his size.

Um, all the sort of lovely canvas trainer type shoes were just in far too narrow.

Um, the only style that I could find were leather, they were heavy

and they were really expensive.

They about 50 pounds.

So there was just very little choice.

Um, and he was just always really obsessed with anything red.

He always loved to colour red, so he would always gravitate towards

red shoes, try and pick them up and I'd have to tell him no.

And then one day he just, he was just crying and I said, right, okay, fine.

I'll just make you some.

Mummy will make you some red shoes.

And so then I thought, well, I have to now.

I have to keep my promise.

So that's how it started.

That's amazing.

And, um, so problem indicateted, after you told Olly you were going to make

his red shoes, what did you do next?

How did you get started?

Uh, literally Googled how to make some shoes because I had no

experience in this industry whatsoever.

Um, so I did a lot of research, um, about sort of all different types of

manufacturing processes overseas in the UK, um, who could do what it was

very, very easy to find somebody to make shoes in standard widths, but

it was a lot harder to find somebody that could actually accommodate the

wider width that I wanted to do.

Um, so once I had my sort of initial design prepared, I reached out to a

couple of more specialists agencies.

Um, and got them to sort of go away and have a word with some

factories, see what they could do.

And I actually came up with one agency who could do exactly what we wanted, um, and

to a really high quality that we wanted.

That's amazing.

And did you know right from the start that you were looking to start a business,

and perhaps we talk about a bit about your range a bit later, but we, you

know, you just have a range of shoes and, you know, you were going to turn

it into a business or was it, I just want to get this one pair of red shoes

made, where were you right at the outset?

I think we were just, because we had no experience in

this industry at all, we were just kind of like, let's just get to the

next stage and see how it, yeah.

Initially it did start with just the red ones.

Um, and then when we got a bit more momentum and said, yes, we can do

this, and to this specification, we do these other things.

And then we reigned it back in and said, well, let's no, let's keep it

a little bit simpler to start with.

It's hard, isn't it?

The outset, because you don't know whether something's even possible,

um, that you let alone, how you do it.

Sometimes you just don't even know, like you say, I wouldn't know if I, I would

have to go do a lot of research, you know, you know, can you get, you know, a certain

type of shoe made, for example, you just, you just don't know what you don't know.

So I think it was a good approach to sort of take it one step at a time.

Um, and it also, I think it can be really intimidating as well.

I, I, if you had thought, right, we're going to create this range of

children's shoes and start a business that's like quite big and scary.

Where as if it's just, let's find out if someone can make them and let's

find out how you design them, I think breaking it down like that makes

it a bit more manageable as well.

Yeah.

It definitely felt like that.

And I think the whole process has taken a long time.

For various world reasons.

The pandemic has not helped.

We've also had a baby ourselves during this time.

So there's been a lot of things that kind of have taken a little bit longer.

So we've really had time to kind of sit and consider every stage,

which has been nice as well.

Yeah, I think it's good as well, that there was no rush

because the product that you are looking at is something that, you know,

there's always going to be a need for.

So I guess it wasn't something you had to rush out in three

months or six months or whatever.

I think it's nice that you've been able to do it around your family.

And am I right in thinking that you work alongside this as well?

Yes, I have full time job as well.

Yeah.

So yes, you've got a lot on your plate with a

new baby and a full time job.

So I think it's good that you've been able to make this fit around.

So, where did you, um, so you spoke a bit about finding someone

to make the shoe, but how about actually designing the shoes?

Do you have a design background or did you have to find someone's

help with that side of it?

I don't have a design background, but I did have from a sort of

a parent point of view, there were some design features that I knew I wanted to

have just from a practical point of view.

So I knew I wanted to have two velcro straps to give a lot of flexibility in

the fit so that it's, wide feet aren't necessarily just wide at the base.

And we've got high in steps.

I wanted to make sure that they were really adjustable.

Um, I wanted to reinforce takeout because kids just scrape their feet all the time.

So I wanted to make sure that was nice and tough.

Um, and the sole I've made, I've made the sole of the shoe, just

straight lines to say that it's nice and easy to clean the kids.

Kids step in stuff all the time and it's horrible having to try and

scrub out of a complicated pattern.

So I've made it so you can literally just go with a nail

brush and it's more nice and easy.

Um, so there were certain design features that I wanted but no, without

having a design background, I couldn't actually translate that into something.

So I hopped onto Fiver and I got a freelance shoe designer.

Luckily he was fantastic.

And I just did this really rough sketch of like, can you make this into

something a bit more professional?

And he did.

And he was brilliant.

So I definitely had to have some help with that.

That's really good though.

It was great that you were able to find someone, um, because yeah, we can't

always do like all of this ourselves.

Um, so as well as finding the manufacturer and the designer, because I guess

those two go hand in hand really?

Um, what happened then?

So after that there was a lot of back and forth with the

supply chain on different samples, different materials, um, making

sure that we got the sizing correct.

And things like that.

Um, and once we'd signed off on the sort the, the materials that they were going to

use, basically we had to get the tooling made to actually make the outsources,

which were wider than the standard ones.

So, um, we got those made and then we had to test those to make sure

that the siding did actually work.

Um, and then once we'd done that, we were able to look at

progressing into final manufacture.

At which point we were able to then start thinking about, well,

what are they going to come in?

What's the box?

What will they look like, and, and things like that.

There's so much isn't there?!

As you were talking, I was thinking, wow, there's I bet that process that

you've explained really succinctly probably took a really long time.

Did it, you know, back and forth with looking at the shoes and checking they,

as you wanted them, the sizing was right.

Because there's there's lot of pieces involved aren't there?

That, that whole process took at 12, 14 months,

something like that, a long time, yeah.

But I think it sounds like, like, I think all the time you spend

doing that is really worth it because I can tell like, like all these little

details you've given and how much thought and care you've put into the shoes.

So I think.

Yeah, the whole thing has been very exciting.

So we've loved it.

Like other people might relax and think i'm there looking at fabric,

samples, and I get really excited or like cardboard box samples.

I think it's, it's been a really nice.

I'd, I call it my expensive hobby.

Well, yeah, for now maybe, but I think, you know, this,

it is a business now, isn't it?

It will.

Yes.

The, um, the final manufactures are landing tomorrow.

So we would be.

We will be ready to go.

Wow.

So I should, I should point out actually that we are recording this in July.

So when, when you're listening to this episode, it'll be September or later.

Um, yeah.

You will be able to go and order the shoes.

Yeah, absolutely.

Which is amazing.

And tell us what, um, say, what does your range look like as of now?

Because I know by September it might be different, but what styles,

um, shoes are you launching with?

So we are launching with a very basic canvas style

trainer shoe, just like you can get in any other shoe shop, just wider.

Um, we've gone with grey and red initially.

Um, I was quite keen to do away with the whole boy section and girl

section because I think that kids should just be able to wear what

they're happy in and what they like.

Um, so we went for two very sort of neutral unisex colours that

hopefully all kids will be happy with.

Um, and most importantly, they'll, they'll feel comfortable in.

And how do you offer a range of sizes at the moment?

Yeah.

So we've started with 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Um, that from my research seems to be about average between

the ages of one and four.

I would like to expand that to include five on the lower end

and 10 and 11 on the other end.

Um, before that kids seem to, they're not walking as much and they shouldn't

really be wearing hard soul shoes until they're sort of established in walking.

So I don't think we need to go any lower.

And then above that the kids feet do start to sort of narrow out

a little bit naturally anyway.

So I think that they're, they're the key sizes, but we're going

to start with the four initially.

We've built this all up ourselves, so we couldn't, we didn't have the capital

to start with everything straight away.

We're going to have to build it up bit by bit and add some more sizes and hopefully

some more colours and patterns later.

I think that's a really smart way to do it though, because it's

sort a nice way of sort of testing it out.

And we'll talk a bit about, more about testing in a minute, because I know you

have done a lot of testing, but it's a good way of testing it out without sort

of going, once they're going all out, you know, as you say, you might, you

might find that there's no demand for the bigger sizes or the smaller sizes.

Um, and I think it makes sense to go with what, you know, from your research,

other sizes that people are buying.

And then, you know, I think customers will tell you down the line if they, if

they think they need different sizes or if there's a demand for different colours,

I think as you know, we get going, that's the sort of feedback that you'll get,

and then that will help you aswell.

Yeah, absolutely.

I think, um, it's going to be really interesting.

One of the things that I've included in the box is a little

outline drawing of a shoe.

For kids to colour it in and tag on social media because I thought, well, that'd

be really interesting if I'm getting 50 kids that are all colouring in green

shoes, but maybe that's what they want.

That's really clever.

And that's also really nice as well.

So, so the idea is that they'll colour in this shoe and then the

parent will upload it and tag you in?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

It's got size thing on one side so they can record when they were last measured.

Because that's something I can never remember with my own

children when I last measured their feet and what size they were.

So it's got a chart on one side to do that.

And then on the other side you can colour your own shoes and I can get a

bit more conversations with clients.

And a bit of publicity as well let's face it.

If they're going to upload these pictures and tag you, that's

really nice as well because that's all content you can use aswell.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So it'd be really interesting to see what happens.

Well, if it's really exciting, I feel like this is all

really well thought out Laura.

I'm really impressed.

I feel like you've like thought of every little detail.

Um.

Oh, thank you.

It's really good.

So what, when you had, um, so let's go back to the manufacturing and when

you had the shoes, the samples, um, what kind of testing were you doing?

So, because I know you mentioned it to me when we spoke previously,

you did a bit of testing of them.

Um, so how did you do that and who were you doing that with?

I did it with, um, my son has actually been across two of the sizes

in the time that we've been doing this.

So he's been wearing for almost a year now he's been wearing our shoes and

there is no better tester than him.

Like he, he's a little bit of a wild child.

If they can withstand him, then , they can withstand those kids.

Um, I've done runs through the washing machine, uh, to make sure, because

that was another big thing for me as a parent, I was like, they need to be

able to be washed and dried and ready to go in in 24 hours again for adventure.

So we've been doing sort of just lots of everyday use.

Obviously sizing was a big, a big thing we wanted to make sure.

And actually when I put on his, it was the first time I'd been able to just

slide a shoe onto his foot and not have to wedge it in, it was really nice.

Um, And then obviously the because what I was having to do before was buy shoes

that were a half size or, or sometimes a full size too long for him just so

they would fit around his feet, he was just constantly tripping over his own

feet because they were like clown shoes.

So it's really nice to see him actually just walking confidently

without sort of tripping over or having to adjust his walk.

Um, and then for the other two sizes I found a couple of children

locally who had the same problem.

So I just gave them a pair and I, I went and I fitted them and we

were happy with how they fitted.

And I said, just go away and use them as you would in the other pair of

shoes, don't be precious about it.

Run, jump, scooter, whatever you want to do and let me know how they get on.

And they had some really good feedback and they all said that

they washed them and they stood up to the test of of time really well.

So we were happy.

Wow.

That's really good.

And Olly has obviously got his red shoes which he must be so overwhelmed about.

We took them out of the box and he said mummy, they're red.

I cried.

I think I would've.

I think it's, I think it's great that you did all of that testing because I think

that's something that, um, people can be.

I have seen people be a little bit precious of their samples in terms of

like, not wanting to maybe use them in the way they're designed, because they don't

want them to get them dirty or, um, yeah.

You know what I mean?

And I, I can, I can sort of see that, especially if you're thinking, well,

maybe I'll use these, take my photos or whatever, but I do think they perhaps

you've taken in, just use them as you were to use them and see how they go

is the best way, because obviously it hasn't happened, but, um, you know, had

they fallen apart in the washing machine, for example, that would've been the

sort of thing you need to know before you, you are selling them and customers

are returning them for that reason.

Exactly, exactly.

And actually the first, the very first samples that we had.

Um, the material on the toe cap actually started peeling a little bit.

So we were able to go back to the manufacturing and say, can you upgrade

this so that this doesn't happen again?

So it was really important that they didn't just sit on a shelf or

sit in a box, that they were out and about, otherwise we would never

have known that that was going to happen, that we needed to rectify.

Yeah.

And it's, as I say, it's much better like to know this now than

to get this feedback from someone.

And is disappointed because something isn't working and it sounds like

your manufacturer's been really open to like having that relationship as

well and changing things and testing.

So that's really good.

They have, yeah, they are absolutely fantastic.

They're actually a company that specializes in, um, Kickstarter brands.

So they work with all sorts of different products and companies,

um, in taking something from concept right the way through to manufacture.

So they're really, really good at, um, making all those little tweaks and

making all those little suggestions.

And they've been really open to, um, listening to my ideas, but also throwing

in a couple of their own, they've got experts that they reach out to.

And they're very good at coming back to me and saying, well, you've said this,

but actually they've suggested that.

Um, and we've, um, and what we've come up with has been a

really, really good product.

I couldn't have done it without their support really.

That's amazing.

And they are, do you mind me asking, are they UK based?

No, they're based, based in China.

Oh, wow.

I've, I'm really, I'm, I'm actually really impressed at that service, um,

you know, the service side of it and how much they're willing to work with you.

Um, and did you just find them via Google search or did that come another way?

Now I found them found them on a Google search.

Um, they're based in China, but they're very international.

They've got employees from all over the world.

Um, and then they obviously have a large chain as well.

So because one of the things that I found was trying to speak to the factories side

was a time difference, a language barrier.

There's obviously a culture difference that I didn't necessarily understand.

Um, so to find somebody who could kind of really bridge that barrier

for me has been absolutely invaluable.

Because they've got really, really strong relationships with the factories.

They're able to make sure that, um, what they're asking for is, is they

understood, whereas I couldn't necessarily do that, so they have been amazing.

Oh, okay.

So this company is like a third party between you and the factory.

Yeah, that's right.

Yeah.

Oh, okay.

That, yeah, that makes sense.

And that's amazing.

And you're so right.

It's, it's really hard to have these kind of relationships.

A long time ago I found a factory that I worked with and I had an

idea for a new product and it wasn't a brand new product, it was just

something original to my ideas.

And, um, I remember I found a manufacturer and it was the Chinese, the factory

directly that I got in touch with and I found one who was willing to work with

me and make samples and send me pictures.

And, um, yeah, when that happens, that like such a good relationship

that you really need to hold onto it, because as you said, you also

experience, you know, Really slow responses and perhaps miscommunications.

People are not kind of understanding your needs or you're not understanding them.

So I think it's amazing that you've managed to find, um, a

really good manufacturer and that's yes, definitely one to hold onto.

Yeah, they've been amazing.

I've always said that I'm not particularly good at one particular thing.

What I'm good at is finding people that are good at stuff, and they've

been worth their weight in gold.

That's really good.

Is, I, that's really interesting that you said that that's good

to know that that's a skill.

So is that kind of, part of your strategy of taking the business forward?

That you'll find people that are experts in different areas to help?

Yes, absolutely.

I think that's a really smart approach because I think

none of us can be good at everything, but sometimes outsourcing or paying

someone to help can be a bit scary.

Um, so I think it's really good that you recognize that now, because I think

it's too easy to hold onto things for a long time, just because you kind

of want to keep it all, but sort of recognizing that other people might

be better at certain things I think is actually a really real strength.

And I think in the long run, it definitely saves me

money because if you're trying something that's not working, you're

spending a lot of your, your own time.

And when doing it, I think it's, you're going to get much quicker

results if you go to somebody who does know what they're doing.

And what I found is that there's a lot of people out there who know about them,

but they also want to work with you.

And they want to teach you, um, So I've picked up a lot of

information just from talking to people like, and things like that.

And it's, it's been really lovely.

I've met one of my favorite things about the whole process is people that I've and

the I've had during it with some really creative and wonderful people out there.

They're always willing to give you a hand.

You ask for it.

Yeah, you're right.

And that, you know, that's always been my experience as well.

That if you kind, if you're open to like making relationships

to people, it's like, yeah, the people just come really don't they?

Yeah.

And I think it's great to have a network.

Because I guess you also needed to outsource.

I'm assuming, you can tell me if I'm wrong on any of this but, sort of the box design

and the website and things like that.

Those I actually did myself.

Oh, did you?

Yeah, the website, Shopify is like a, is

just an amateurs dream with me.

It's not particularly complicated to do so I spent some fun evenings, but

again, this is because I don't have any kind of time scales or deadlines.

I was able to just take my time and play around with it.

So nice evenings, just that with a glass of wine, playing around

the, that, um, and then the box.

On a, on a background.

So that wasn't too difficult.

I was able to just send over the logo um, but some of the other designs, so

inside the shoes, I've got footprints, one for the left and one for the

right, so that kids can sort of look and work out which feet goes in

which shoe based on the, the toes.

Um, and then the logo itself, um, that was all done by a really

lovely graphic designer that I met through my hairdresser and she did

the logo design for my hairdresser.

So I, I pinched her and she's done some lovely artwork for me to do that.

That's really good.

And it is nice that you've been able to sort of do the bits that you are, that

you feel comfortable to do, and you want to, and then outsource the others.

I'm with you on spot and not Spotify Shopify.

I'm a huge fan of Shopify as well.

And actually when I first started selling my own products years ago now,

I built my own Shopify website because that, that did feel like doable.

Um, And yeah.

And I think, because you can't as much as like I've always been, well,

I say always now I'm definitely a fan of outsourcing things that

I'm not an expert in back then.

Maybe not so much.

Um, but I think even then I kind of realized, okay, I can, this

is something I can actually do.

Um, and I know money right in the beginning, money can be tight as well.

I think in the beginning, the only things like outsource were the design

aspects, so design of my products and design of the logo and things like

that because I was just like, that's just beyond me, but sort of putting

together a Shopify website felt doable.

Yeah, I think, yeah, absolutely.

Right.

And, and it's only a couple of products I've got.

If we expand, then I will definitely have to go to a specialist to link to

social media shops and things like that.

That's where I start getting overwhelmed with, with all the technical details.

Um, but yeah, outsourcing definitely.

And it seems like insurance as well.

I was trying to get insurance and I just got completely lost in what I needed.

So I found a local broker.

I tried to go with other local businesses as, as much as possible.

Um, and they were fantastic.

They did everything.

They came back to me with the information.

They listened to all my stupid questions and never judged me for asking them.

So they've been really good too.

I think that's really good cause you are right.

It can be really intimidating sometimes to ask the stupid questions.

And, and when you talk about insurance, I remember looking for my own

insurance online and spending quite a long time, trolling websites and

reading small print and trying to work out, okay, is this what I want?

Or is this what I want?

And, um, it kind of feels productive because you're doing something, but

actually in the end it can sort of just be easier to pick up the phone

or walk in and see somebody and just get your questions answered.

Um, I think it can be a bit of a false economy.

Can't it?

That you think you're, you know, you think you're saving time and

money, but you're possibly doing the opposite because especially when

you don't have lots of time, how you spend your time is really important.

Absolutely.

I, I always think as an expert.

So we are recording this in July.

And you said your products are arriving tomorrow.

Is that right tomorrow?

Yeah.

What happens tomorrow?

What what's planned?

Do you have any.

Anything planned for launch or?

Well, we've still got to keep past things so i'm hoping that the

begining of August is our launch day.

I'm not going to celebrate too hard.

I'm really trying not to because the checking delays

at the moment are incredible.

So we're already too behind schedule.

So I'm really hoping we're not going to get anymore.

Um, but I'm hoping that they're going to be by the end of July, we're going

to have lots of family selfies with boxes in our spare room if they fit in.

That's a big if, um, And then yeah, we're going to really start ramping up.

Um, some of the advertising, some of the PR really starting talking about it

because what I've tried to not do, I've tried to create a bit of interest, but

also, I don't want people to hear about things too soon and then get bored.

If there is a bit of a delay it's kind of trying to time it with sort of raising

the brand awareness, but not too soon.

I know what you mean.

It's and it's hard as well, because I guess it's also a product where you can't

necessarily take pre-orders because kids grow and yeah, you don't want someone

ordering a size of shoes now and then in six weeks when they're ready, they say,

well, actually now my child's feet have gone up a size or half a size or whatever.

That is tricky.

I, yeah, I'm with you.

I think it's, um, definitely good to be talking about it.

And obviously you've got your social media set and things like that, but

I think you're right to do the big push people can actually go and buy.

Yes, I think that's fair and they can grow out of it quickly.

They really, they really do.

Um, yeah, I mean, it's near the end of the school year now and I can

see one of my children choose to, again, a bit tight and I just think,

no, we'll wait until September.

Hold on because yeah, they will grow in that time.

And, um, Are you, is your plan to sell on your own website straight away?

Or do you have anything else that you are considering?

I say considering, because I know that this is all a process and can

straight away, but is there anything you think doing beyond your website?

Um, starting, definitely going start with website and social media.

Um, one of the things that I'm interested in looking at going forward is, um,

children's shows like the baby and toddler show, or maybe people, I think

with shoes, sometimes people do like to try them on, especially if you've

had issues with fitting and it's, it makes you a bit nervous to try

something new and something unknown.

And so I think having that physical presence in places is

going to be really helpful for parents to just to try and see.

Um, so trade shows is definitely one.

I also read a couple of pop up opportunities local to me that

I'd like to explore as well, but I think I'd like to see how the

summer goes on the website first.

Start building actually to start getting some proper sort

of feedback from customers and then see where we go from there.

Yeah, that definitely makes sense.

I think doing things slowly is really sensible because, well, one, because

we said you only have so much time, but also I think doing everything in stages

and doing it well is definitely I think a better approach than trying to just

do it all, be everywhere from day one.

Um, because I think that's exhausting and then also it's really hard to work out

well, what is it that's working if you're doing it, you know, if you're spreading

yourself quite thin, it's hard to say, okay, well that's working really well.

Yeah, exactly.

And we have to be realistic with our time as well.

I mean, we, my husband and I, we both work full time.

We do have three children and we are doing this as well.

So we can't do everything all at once.

We would just burn out and that's not healthy for the business

or the family or our employees.

So, um, we have got to kind of be realistic with, with how we can

see things going in the future.

That's exciting.

And as I say, when people are listening to this, now the shoes will be available.

Um, we'll make sure we link to your website and your social media in

the show notes for the episode.

Um, because hopefully they'll be on sale for at least a month by then.

So that's really, um, exciting.

I've got one final question before we finish, which is one I ask

everybody, which is, what would your number one piece of advice be for

any other product creators listening?

So I thought really hard about this question actually, and I kept

changing my mind, but I think my number one piece of advice would be to spend your

time before you spend your money on really doing your research into your market.

So really know your customer, um, making sure that there is

definitely an opportunity out there.

I obviously knew the product well because I was the target market.

I was the parent who couldn't find shoes and I moved back to what a parent

needed, but I had to still do a lot of research into what was available.

How many other parents out there were having that problem before I decided to

invest any of my own money to the project.

Um, because the last thing that you want do is get very excited that you found

this need until you found gap, took loads of money and then realize that actually

there isn't anything out there, or there is something out there that you've missed.

So I definitely think that spending your time before your money is a really,

really important point to take on.

Oh, I love that.

Thank you.

Um, you probably heard, I talk about this all the time, completely in

agreement and you're right as well.

That even if you are your own perfect customer, it's really good to do the

research, just to check that this issue isn't unique to you and that as you say,

there's, there's enough other people with the same issue because I think in a

way when you are creating something that needs a need that you have it's it can

be too easy to go down a single track of, well, this is what would suit me.

And, um, you see what I mean?

And, and so of course I disregard the rest of it.

I think that's something I've seen.

So I think it's amazing that you still spend so much time doing the research

and I really think it pays off.

I know that often people are really keen to just get to the

fun part, um, because research, let's face it, can feel a bit dark.

I like it but I don't know about anyone else, but, um, I think that it's well

worth spending that groundwork because as, as people can hear, when you've just

spoken to us, your shoes, you thought of like so many little details and you

possibly wouldn't have done if you hadn't spent all of that time at the front end

of working out what people actually need.

So I think you'll have had a better product for it.

I think so.

Yeah.

It's definitely worth taking into consideration what other people

have said as well as your own.

And then, and then just combining that together to get something that

hopefully should suit everybody.

Well, thank you so much for sharing that.

And, and for all of your time this morning in Laura, because I know

you're busy, so I do appreciate you taking the time to talk to me.

Oh, thank you so much for having me.

It's been been lovely.

You're welcome.

Thank you so much for listening right to the end of this episode, do

remember that you can get the full back catalogues and lots of free resources

on my website vickiweinberg.com.

Please do remember to rate and review this episode if you've enjoyed it

and also share it with a friend who you think might find it useful.