"Oh, this shoe is too big," she said.
"Oh, but this one fits," she added.
"Oh, I can't believe it. All of these shoes fit!"
When Mary left, she had 10 pairs of new shoes and was asking her husband to build her a new shelf for them!
It makes me incredibly happy to see the joy in my gorgeous customers as they find lovely, longer sized shoes that actually fit AND look and feel fablous.
It reminds me why I walked away from my career and opened The Shoe Garden 11 years ago.
Back then, I knew nothing about the shoe industry or about business. But I had my not-so-secret weapon: my size 12 feet.
You see, I know exactly how hard it has been to find shoes that fit, let alone are fabulous. I've heard most of the derogatory comments that are said about our feet and have had to make do with boring and ugly shoes for decades, telling anyone who would listen that my outfit stopped at my ankles and I wasn't responsible for below that!
Not anymore.
I love it that new customers like Mary are still finding me. And I love being reminded how joyful having new shoes can be.
Stay warm and happy,
Carolx
I've made a renewed commitment to myself to look after me; to try and not let stress get the upper hand again and to seek out nature as she's so nurturing and restorative.
As a proud small business owner, this has meant a change in work style and habits. Nothing drastic nor perhaps obvious to my beautiful customers, but just remembering that work is not all of me. As much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Shoe Garden, I'll only be able to continue to make it a fabulous place to shop and work at if I'm looking after myself.
So I wish you a belated amazing 2023. Be kind to yourself and others. That's really what it's all about.
Love Carolx
]]>#1: Celebrating 10 years in business in April at a party with gorgeous customers, suppliers, peers and friends was a magical time. The afternoon is a happy blur, but I do remember lots of smiling faces ... and gorgeous shoes, of course! I still can't believe I've been a proud shoe shop owner for a decade!
#2: Starting my Pre-Loved range in May for a three-month trial and quickly realising after only one month that it would be here to stay! I've sold nearly 500 pairs of shoes since then on behalf of lovely customers to other lovely customers, keeping shoes out of storage or from being lost in wardrobes or ending up in landfill and, instead, staying on lovely long feet where they belong.
#3: Being inspired by my Pre-Loved range to organise a one-off Pop Up for Pre-Loved clothing and fashion accessories. Oh my, it was fun and successful but a lot more work than I thought. Oops! But best of all, most of the items that didn't sell were donated to either Suited to Success or Formally Ever After, two charities I have come to adore.
#4: Speaking of charities, topping $50,000 in donations to the incredible MicroLoan Foundation Australia was a huge milestone for me. Having seen firsthand the amazing work of this charity, who provide small loans and business training to women in regional Africa so they, too, can start their own small business, I am so proud to support them. As I type this, my donation stands at $53,727.10. Yay!
#5: In August I made the decision to invest in myself and started working with the super talented and incredible Merrill Allen from Unlocking Retail. She has become a valued and inspiring mentor, teaching me so much and revolutionising the way I buy and manage my stock. Knowledge really is power!
#6: The Shoe Garden was a finalist in two awards this year, one national and one local. We didn't win, but geez it was nice to be a finalist and voted for. I truly felt the love.
#7: This year, I had some suppliers ask my opinions on shoes and I loved giving feedback on behalf of my gorgeous customers. I'm finding my voice with a decade of experience now under my heels and continue to agitate for more longer sizes in more styles from more brands.
#8: I'm closing the year with two beautiful staff, Cherie and Sam, who also happen to be life-long friends. I've known Cherie since she was a customer on my opening weekend 10 years ago and Sam since we were both young journalists working for the Gold Coast Bulletin some 34 years ago. Eek, can it really be that long ago?! Both women are extraordinarily kind, loyal and take care of my precious Shoe Garden as if it were theirs. I love them for that.
#9: Darling Princess definitely deserves a mention. She had big (or should that be long?) paws to fill, having lost my beautiful CC in October last year. She has found her way into my heart and I adore her. Given she's a rescue pup with high anxiety, it has taken time to make her feel safe and secure. While she still barks at the first few customers of the day (I swear she thinks you are all just coming in to see her!), she'll soon go back to her pink fluffy bed and snooze the afternoon away, always keeping one eye on me to make sure I'm close.
#10: And finally, a highlight that never fades, never loses its joy, is meeting new, or catching up with old, customers each and every day. I've shared stories and laughter and tears and solved the world's problems with many. I've helped find shoes for weddings and new jobs and overseas adventures and milestone birthdays. I've helped some clear out their wardrobes and make some extra money or get Shoe Garden credit for their pre-loved shoes. Each and every customer is so special and so appreciated and I thank you with all my heart for supporting my small business.
Wishing you all a beautiful Christmas and a magical New Year. Here's to making more memories and highlights in 2023.
Carolx
]]>The Shoe Garden is filled with Chrissy decorations, including the gorgeous Ruby the Reindeer from which hangs beautiful baubles, including sparkly shoes.
I've also launched my first ever Carol's Christmas Collection. Think rings, handbags, sunglasses, earrings and head bands. All made by two amazing Aussie brands: Sunny Hazel and Elle Porter.
And I'm starting to sell more gift vouchers because, hey, who wouldn't want some new shoes as a pressie, right?
I will be open until COB on Friday, 23 December and then having a little holiday, re-opening on Tuesday, 3 January. However, I'm happy to open by appointment during the holiday period and online orders will be processed as usual.
Good luck with all your Christmas prep and remember to take a breath and relax whenever you can, too.
Love Carolx
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I found not knowing what would happen next the scariest ... and I was one of the most lucky ones; my loved ones safe, my business intact.
So I still remember walking into the first showroom in February this year to view and buy my Spring/Summer 2022 ranges and feeling a soaring sense of joy.
Joy that for the first time in a long time, the ranges were plentiful in quantity. Even better, they were bold, dynamic, colourful and just plain fun. There were sequins for day and lush brocades and pops of the rainbow everywhere. The ranges seem to say: "It's okay. We got through this. Let's have some fun now."
After a few years where ranges were so conservative, so safe and so small (all for good reason), it was delightful to see abundance of choice again.
My heart was so happy then and it is right now, too. Looking around my shop, seeing the cheeky sparkle and the vibrant colours just makes me smile.
On top of everything else, for so long my customers have been restricted to black, brown or beige. Ugh. Not anymore.
Take care and embrace some colour! Carolx
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I just found out that The Shoe Garden is a finalist in the Fashion category of the Australian Small Business Champions Awards.
I'm super chuffed to be a finalist and I'm even more super chuffed that a longer sized shoe shop has representation in a general fashion category. It's where we should and deserve to be, right?!
The announcement will on 3 September in Sydney. How exciting!
Fingers and toes crossed.
Carolx
And I started to think about what I could do at The Shoe Garden.
I had heard customers lamenting a few times over the years about what to do with their lovely long shoes that no longer fitted or had never been worn, but never put it together until this compelling article ... I would start my own Pre-Loved range!
It launched at the start of last month as a three month trial, and by the start of this month, I ditched the trial and announced the range was here to stay.
It has been THAT popular.
I have heard so many reasons as to why people are interested in selling, from changes to lifestyles and wishing to simplify their wardrobes to medical reasons preventing them from wearing certain styles or heel heights.
Nearly everyone has said they valued long shoes so highly; they desperately wanted their shoes to go to someone who would appreciate them as much.
I would say approximately half the range has never been worn at all and most are in terrific condition with some quite "loved" but still acceptable.
By selling shoes on consignment for customers, it complements my new range and provides a bigger variety of tempting shoes for everyone. They don't even need to have been bought at The Shoe Garden. As long as they're long and loved, they're welcomed!
For more information about selling your shoes, visit this information page. And to see how fabulous the range of Pre-Loved shoes is, see here.
Until next time,
Carolx
Fast forward a decade and I'm celebrating 10 years of being a proud shoe shop owner. How time flies.
One thing that always amazes me and takes my breath away, is just how right this adventure seemed at the start, throughout the past 10 years and happily still does. I have never once waivered or regretted my decision to walk away from an established career to start a small business.
Oh, I've had sleepless nights and agonised over decisions and worried like it was an Olympic sport, but that's part of life as a small business owner. I never wanted to go back to my old life of working in media, PR and fundraising. Ever.
I was 44 when I opened The Shoe Garden ... which also happens to be my shoe size! Well, for most brands, but not all of them but let's not get me started on the inconsistencies of shoe sizing...
I also realised a few years ago that I had inadvertently selected a significant date for opening the shop, which was 14 April 2012.
That's precisely 20 years after I stopped working as a journalist here in Australia when The Sunday Sun newspaper was closed ... on 14 April 1992.
I find that such an incredible coincidence and also strangely reassuring ... that my first dream job as a journalist ended 20 years to the day of my final dream job as a proud shoe shop owner!
Now here's to the next 10 years of even more gorgeous long shoes!
Carolx
]]>It was a busy month at The Shoe Garden with most brands needing orders confirmed for next Summer. As new winter stock rolls in, and as we are only in the first month of Autumn, it's always a bit weird planning for another season so far in advance.
Regardless, I can assure you that the range I've ordered, and that will start arriving from July onwards, is THE. BEST. EVER!!!
I was so delighted to see so many colourful options. It's like all the designers have gone ... okay, we've had a crappy few years. It's time to liven things up and offer a range of happy colours in striking bolds or a quirky mix or a clash of patterns.
It's called dopamine dressing, apparently. It's the joy we feel from brightly coloured clothing (and shoes!) and I thoroughly endorse it.
As I type this, I'm wearing a red checked dress with lemons and florals all over it and my Valerio Conte Pine shoes that feature sparkly pineapples. I feel happy just thinking about my shoes and I get compliments whenever I wear them!!!
Isn't that a lovely change, too? People complimenting on us on OUR shoes!
For those of us with long feet, that was never the case in the bad ol days.
Until next time,
Carolx
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I really do appreciate it, so I thought I should show it.
In every newsletter, I'm now offering a surprise with purchase. This will be exclusive to subscribers and available in-store and online.
In the past few weeks, I've offered a further $15 off all sale items and free postage. This week I have a gorgeous Glasshouse candle to give away in a random draw.
Each and every time you receive a newsletter, there'll be something interesting on offer plus I will continue to showcase gorgeous new arrivals, of course.
While I've had some delays already with new stock for the Autumn/Winter 2022 season, I've managed to bring other ranges forward. Fingers crossed, this month I should be welcoming new stock by Rilassare, Josef Seibel and an exciting new brand.
I'm super excited for the year ahead and for my 10th birthday celebrations in April.
Until next time,
Carolx
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It was a real trip down memory lane.
Happy reading here.
Carolx
]]>I could choose ten. And they are below.
Please know that each and every day I will be devoted to achieving these values and ensuring they are reflected in every action with everyone, anytime and anywhere. As far as I'm concerned, they're non-negotiables and my beautiful staff and myself will always abide by them.
1. Authenticity
2. Kindness
3. Service-obsessed
4. Trustworthy
5. Empathetic
6. Inclusive
7. Nurturing a Community
8. Giving back
9. Continual improvement
10. Pride
Love Carolx
]]>Or beige.
Or white.
Ugh.
That's why I love sourcing so many shoes that are brightly coloured for The Shoe Garden. My latest arrivals fit the bill: think vibrant pink and vivacious violet, sparkling mint and a serene sky blue.
I will always stock black because I get it: it's practical and versatile.
But I will also always stock as many other colours as I can for each style.
Yesterday I sat on the bench in the front showroom, where customers usually sit to try on shoes, and just sat and looked at all the colour on the shelves and felt ridiculously happy.
I'm delighted to say that while winter is usually more difficult to offer a rainbow of colour, Winter 2022 is an exception. Hot pink runs throughout the range I've put together with some fabulous metallics and olives and reds as well.
Hope today is bright for you!
Carolx
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In my other life, I had a photo of her on my desk. And suddenly she was actually sitting on my desk!
She would greet customers and graciously accept pats and cuddles. She would bark at the postie and couriers. She made people smile as they walked past and did a double take ... is that dog real, I could hear them ask? The local school children would sing out "Hello CC" as they walked past.
In short, she was a part of The Shoe Garden and a part of the neighbourhood. I, in fact, was referred to in passing as the woman who owns the dog in the shoe shop.
This week my beautiful CC passed away in my arms and I'm sick with sadness. She would have been 18 today and I can't fathom that she's gone.
Everywhere I look at the shop I am reminded of her and same with home. I know I was lucky to have her for so long; she was a sassy girl full of spunk and bravado. She was also my best friend.
Rest in peace my darling girl.
Carolx
]]>I feel embarrassed by the current range of new shoes I have at the moment because, well, they're not so new anymore.
Usually I pride myself on having exciting new shoes arriving every month and a huge range to choose from.
However, the global pandemic has had a massive impact on freight, from inflated pricing and bidding wars for scarce shipping containers to huge delays and even unexpected cross border fees and charges within Australia.
It's mid September and I'm still waiting for shoes that were due in July.
It's no one's fault and I understand that. I feel so sorry for my poor suppliers who are trying their best to get their goods into the country and then into shops.
I am a little miffed though that I see other shoe shops have had deliveries of brands that I stock, too. When I have called to enquire with the agents, they've told me that my longer-sized order is in a later shipment.
Mmmmmm. It seems that happens a lot.
Anyway, while I was told a delivery would arrive two weeks ago and then last week and then early this week again, now I am expecting it today or tomorrow. Surely it will be so. You have to stay positive, right?
Other orders are on trucks and on their way, but it seems everything has slowed right down.
Unfortunately I've already lost a range from a brand whose factory is still closed and I'm crossing everything that there won't be more.
I recall something that I read a while ago that sums up the COVID pandemic really well. It says:
We are not all in the same boat. We are in the same storm.
Some of us are in yachts. Some of us are in dinghys.
And some of us are drowning.
Just be kind.
I like that. Just be kind.
My next post should be all about my exciting summer shoes and sandals. Oh my, there is a lot of gorgeousness coming ... hopefully very soon!
Carolx
]]>Every. Single. Day.
Given I always have more than a dozen brands in my range, it becomes even more challenging as they all size their shoes differently. They also equate different Aussie sizes to European sizes, so sometimes they say a size 11 is a 42, sometimes (often) a 43 and sometimes it's a 44.
And then you simply have some shoes within the one brand where one particular shoe or style will run long ... or not. It is the exception to the norm. Just to add a bit more of a challenge to the sizing!
Of course, widths can make a difference, too. The Naturalizers are a wider fit so some of my size 13 customers can fit into a size 12 in some styles if they have a narrower foot.
This is all to say that when you search by size on my website, and you're a size 12, for example like me, you need to select a few different options.
It might be AU12 and 44/AU12 and 45/AU12 and maybe even 46/AU12.
Trust me, I've sized them according to first-hand experience on my own feet and that of my customers in-store.
For further advice, always check the sizing tips, which will also sometimes recommend you go up or down a size, and will include advice on width and fit.
If all else fails, you're always welcome to give me a buzz. :-)
Carolx
]]>"Your shop is like candy!"
"This is heaven, right?"
"It's so cute ... it doesn't even look like a shop."
Each time I hear something like this, my heart bursts with pride. Just like my shoes, I wanted my shop to be gorgeous and welcoming.
No branding, no advertising .... just lovely long shoes, vases filled with pretty flowers and happy faces.
Carolx
]]>
Nine years later, I still feel that every time I open my front door.
From having no experience in business, shoes or retail, what I had were size 12 feet and the knowledge that it was so hard to find shoes that fit, let alone were fabulous.
I also knew that putting my customers first, always and every time, was key to my success, as well as sharing my journey and adventure with them.
I have made a lot of mistakes over this time, but I have learned even more: about business, about life and about myself.
To celebrate my 9th birthday, I'm offering $25 off all my full-priced shoes, excluding my new slippers, from today until midnight on Sunday, 18th April.
Just use the code: HappyBirthday at Checkout.
Thank you so, so much for being a part of The Shoe Garden adventure.
Carolx
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But for those following me on Facebook and Instragram, you probably know that my darling dad, who has Alzheimer's, deteriorated suddenly and significantly over Christmas. I had to fast track him into aged care and he didn't handle the transition well.
No wonder. It's a huge change even without such a wretched and cruel disease, and unfortunately he ended up in hospital when things got really bad. As did I a week later with chest pains. Turns out it was stress.
This week I've finally finished clearing out the house he shared with my beautiful mum for nearly 30 years and it was finally ready to go on the market. I underestimated the physical and mental toll, but unfortunately predicted the immense emotional toll.
But it had to be done and now that dad is safe and cared for, I can focus more on myself and my beautiful Shoe Garden.
How wonderful it feels to be back. My winter range is starting to arrive and it's a fabulous one. I'm especially loving the Katie 'n' Me emerald croc print boots that are exclusive to The Shoe Garden. Only 12 pairs exist ... well, 11 if you don't count mine!
I am looking forward to sharing more goss as the weeks and months go by.
Take good care
Carolx
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Imagine ... feeling it was necessary to ask permission to visit a retail shop!
The caller was a trans woman and, sadly, it isn't the first time I have been asked this question.
I reassured her that she was very welcome. Everyone, without exception, who needs and wants gorgeous long shoes is always welcome.
The comments on this post by customers made me feel so happy.
They expressed their solidarity; they fumed over the injustice; they remembered when they had visited my shop or others before and had seen trans women or cross dressers or drag queens visiting and how happy they were for them. Just happy that all of us with long feet have somewhere to go to find shoes that fit.
Yep, I couldn't be prouder of my gorgeous customers for being so kind and so welcoming.
Much love
Carolx
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If you've ever transitioned a website and a shopping cart with hundreds of products to a new platform, I know that you will feel my pain.
But these were only moments in time. :-)
More often, I was just bursting with pride and anticipation, looking forward to the launch and delighted in the knowledge that I would be offering a much better shopping experience for my amazing online customers.
And now the day is almost here!
Weirdly, I have COVID to thank for it.
Like other small business owners (and everyone else on the planet!), I was scared and stressed in April as I closed my shop and wondered what would happen. The unknown was unsettling.
I was fortunate to bounce back pretty quickly but the experience changed me.
That fear of losing The Shoe Garden inspired me to hold on even tighter to my beloved business and indeed, commit to taking it to the next level.
Which inspired me to seek out the amazing Tracey Mathers and ask her to mentor me.
Which inspired me to dream about growing, not with more shops as I have never wanted that, but the only way that I believe is sustainable ... through my online shop.
Which inspired me to offer my gorgeous shoes to long footed women around the world.
Which inspired me to upgrade my website in order to sell internationally and, while I was at it, offer a more pleasant and seamless shopping experience for everyone, one that I hope mirrors the experience of visiting the shop itself.
I hope you love the new site and I would so appreciate hearing any feedback that you have. I'm on a learning trajectory at the moment. I want to embrace new technology, hence my nifty 360 degree videos showcasing my new shoes. I want to continue to evolve and ensure that The Shoe Garden is the home for all your gorgeous long shoes.
Special thanks to the amazing and ever-so-patient Anthony from Tailored Media for helping me bring my vision for this website to life. And also to the fabulous Debi Brett who took a lot of the photographs for me.
Stay safe & take care,
Carolx