I thought I had my Winter 2020 order into the final draft stage. I was so close to finalising it. I had done all the usual things I do when selecting a range: pondered, battled head versus heart, agonised, wondered, re-read what customers told me they wanted, put myself in their shoes, triple checked my […]
News
I was right!
Ah yes, as a proud small business owner whose success relies on her carefully and wisely selecting her stock sometimes a year before delivery, I do delight in being right! In this case, it’s all about a darling shoe by Isabella that I fell in love with as soon as I saw it at the […]
Good for the soul
And breathe…. That’s what I did last weekend when I disappeared for a few days into the mountains. And I napped and read and pondered life. In such a beautiful environment, surrounded by bushland and curious kookaburras and squawking lorikeets, it was the perfect spot to recalibrate. Nature has a way of reminding you how […]
Buying winter shoes in winter in 28 degree heat!
As the sun shimmered on the Brisbane river, and the brilliant blue sky was bereft of even a tuft of cloud, I was viewing hundreds and hundreds of shoes and boots for Winter 2020. A few of the suppliers from interstate and New Zealand probably aren’t wondering anymore why fur-lined boots and thick heavy shoes aren’t […]
Funny times at The Shoe Garden :-)
Over the years, I’ve had a lot of laughs. Like the time when: “These Boots Were Made for Walking” started playing on my iPod just as a lovely customer was trying on boots and we both noticed at the same time. The next song was “Hey Big Spender” I was asked if I could stop […]
Loud & clear!
I asked my customers last week on Facebook if they had any special requests for Winter 2020. I was curious as, in the next few days and weeks, I’ll be viewing hundreds and hundreds of shoes and boots, and carefully making my selection. I figure a checklist, therefore, can’t hurt. And while I had some […]
Specialists with heart
I love niche businesses. And yes, that’s because I am one, but I also believe that we serve such a special purpose. We provide our gorgeous customers with products that they can’t get elsewhere; usually products that most people take for granted, like shoes that fit and look fabulous. Along the way, we become a […]
Reflections
I guess major events in life make you look back and reflect and look ahead and wonder … and that’s what has been happening with me this past week. In terms of The Shoe Garden, I’ve realised just how much I love my little business, even though I can lay awake at night worrying about […]
A tribute to my darling mum
It has been a while since I wrote. I guess my Facebook post below says it all… I wondered for quite a while whether I should share this with you. And because she loved The Shoe Garden so much, I think I will. You see, my beautiful, beautiful, beautiful mum passed away nearly two […]
Time for a sale … stat!
One morning this week, I woke up and decided to have a quick sale. I love that I can do that without meetings, briefing notes and endless discussion. One of the many wonderful things about being a small business owner is that you can move fast. In this case, a few hours later I had […]