These Two Women Launched A Vending Machine Of Flats
At the Harborplace Mall in Baltimore nestled next to Starbucks, there's a vending machine that doesn't sell salty snacks as a quick-fix to hunger, but instead displays comfortable shoes for the woman on the go who needs a break from the pain that often accommodates a pricey pair of heels.
The vending machine is called Sole Savers, and it's the brainchild of 33-year-old business owner Melodie Narain.
Like many entrepreneurs, it started with a problem. When Melodie slipped on a pair of heels just two months after giving birth, she quickly discovered that she could no longer wear her stylish pumps for more than a few hours.
A conversation with her mom and business partner, Teresa, who also could no longer wear heels due to knee surgeries, soon turned into an idea of creating affordable shoes that any woman with aching feet could conveniently purchase on-the-go.
But creating a vending machine to push out a rollable pair of flats was no easy feat. In fact, when Melodie first came up with the concept for Sole Savers, she didn't intend for her mother to be her business partner. "Initially when I started coming up with the concept, I didn't want to share it with my family yet because I was like they're going to say that I'm just bringing another business idea to them. So I said okay, I'm going to fully develop this and I'm going to share it with some of my investor friends that have high net worth."
Utilizing business relationships from previously working with CEOs and executives, Melodie brought her idea to a friend and investor. He was sold, but when the duo presented the idea to his wife they ran into a roadblock. “She didn't really want him working in a business partnership with a female, so she rejected the concept," says Melodie. “And who am I to argue with the wife?"
The quest for a perfect partnership didn't end there. She brought the idea back to her mom, who jumped at the opportunity to also bring a philanthropic element to the business through the mission of helping others and donating to non-profits organizations.
With her background in fashion marketing and her business acumen, Melodie was able to wear two hats as both creator and strategist. She first researched all of her competitors to determine if there was room in the market for what she was offering, even going as far to reach out to let them know that she was starting the business not just for profit, but in hopes to help others such as her two-year-old niece Teyana who was born with Congenital Heart Disease, by partnering with non-profit organizations.
She also heavily researched her product to find the right kind of shoes and material that would be convenient and compact enough to fit into a pocketbook, and read everything she could find on vending machines while looking for the best places to launch her product. With vending machines averaging a cost of $10,000 to $25,000 depending on the level of enhancements from touch screen features to digital ads, it was important for the Maryland native to make sure that her business plan was foolproof.
“A lot of times when people want to start companies they have this idea but they don't do any kind of research, and then they launch something and it completely bombs because they don't do the market research," Melodie says. “The times that we live in everything is so accessible to us, so a person that doesn't do their research, they're just not making a smart decision."
Despite all of her legwork, they still ran into some challenges. When the first machine arrived it wasn't configured properly and instead of buyer's being able to see the shoe through a transparent container, they had to hope that they selected the right color numerically on the touch screen, making it more confusing for her customers. They also realized that the shoes weren't thick enough to comfortably walk on rockier terrain, and had to create a second prototype with a thicker sole to provide the right amount of comfort and cushion.
After a year of planning and designing the product, Melodie and Theresa launched Sole Savers this past September. They placed the first machine in a nightclub, logically thinking that the hundreds of women ready to kick off their shoes after dancing the night away would do well for business, but Melodie, who wanted her customer's to not just buy the product, but to also connect with it, felt like the club scene didn't fit their target customer. So they moved the machine to the Gallery at Harborplace in Baltimore—an area with heavy foot traffic and tourism. Within the first day Melodie had already sold eight pairs of flats, which retail at $19.95 a pair. Though the website generates most of their revenue, she's hoping to expand into bigger markets and into convention centers in the near future.
Working her full-time job in real estate while running a business on the side and being a mother to her two-year-old son leaves little time for self indulgence, but Melodie credits her prayer life and having help from the father of her child to her being able to get through the days where she's burning the midnight oil. Her mother, who also still works full-time with the government, takes care of the philanthropic aspects of the business, focusing on smaller non-profit organizations with less notoriety. For the entrepreneurs, Sole Savers is just as much about saving souls as well as soles.
“We try to find charities that people don't really know about because while Sole Savers is in the infancy stage now, I see it being such a major storm in households, convention centers, conference centers and churches, and I'd like for these other charities on a mission to really help grow with our business."
Recently, Sole Savers launched their spring collection, which includes the red “Teyana" flat named in honor of her niece who has had two open-heart surgeries before the age of two. “When we talked about Sole Savers in the brainstorming stages, we were talking about when Teyana becomes an adult that we will have an avenue that will provide for a very strong quality of life for her."
The remaining shoes were designed to fit the woman who may not be up on the latest trends, but they always put their best foot forward in all areas of their life.
“A stylish woman isn't always trendy. It's a certain level of class and elegance that a woman has and I think that's what's important for me in branding sole savers. It's very stylish; it's very current, but it's not trendy."
While it may not be about the clothes, it's certainly about the mission of doing something that's rooted in love and passion. For Melodie and Teresa it starts with saving soles, one foot at a time.
To find out more about Sole Savers and how to grab you a pair of comfortable flats, head over to SoleSavers.co.
Kiah McBride writes technical content by day and uses storytelling to pen real and raw personal development pieces on her blog Write On Kiah. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @writeonkiah.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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It’s almost that time when the girlies are gonna be hopping in the chair to get the most popular style of the warmer seasons: goddess braids. Goddess braids are not just a hairstyle; they're a statement of elegance, power, and divine beauty. Whether you've recently adorned yourself with these stunning braids or are considering them, one thing remains certain: maintaining them is key to preserving their splendor. In this guide, we'll delve into the art of maintaining goddess braids, ensuring they remain flawless for longer periods.
Let’s start with some pro tips from Breanna Knights, a Brooklyn-based stylist with over a decade of experience in the beauty and fashion industry, specializing in goddess braids. She takes pride in maintaining the beauty and longevity of her clients' goddess braids, focusing on ensuring their scalp and curls remain healthy and hydrated.
Knights’ expertise extends to understanding the tension level, hydration needs, and proper cleansing techniques for goddess braids.
Hydration Is Key:
Moisture is essential for maintaining the integrity of your goddess braids. Use a lightweight leave-in conditioner or moisturizing spray to hydrate your scalp and braids. Pay attention to the ends of the braids, as they tend to be the driest part. Avoid heavy products that can weigh down the braids and cause buildup.
“To maintain neatness and longevity for goddess braid styles, I recommend treating the goddess hair just as you would your natural curls," Knights tells us. "This consists of putting up your hair at night in a bonnet. I also encourage using mousse or a bottle of water mixed with conditioner to make the curls bounce back. These two options depend on if the curls are a synthetic blend, or if it’s 100% human hair."
When it comes to keeping the goddess curls refreshed and hydrated, Knights’ favorite mousse brands include:
Bumble and bumble's Bb Curl Mousse
Bumble and bumble
Bumble and bumble's Bb Curl Mousse is a lightweight mousse that enhances curls with a blend of oils and butters, providing long-lasting volume, and bounce without stiffness.
The Vigorol Mousse Olive Oil
Amazon
The Vigorol Mousse Olive Oil is a fave amongst the girlies. Reviewers say, “Product works well taming frizzy curls as well smoothing natural hair, human hair, and synthetic crochet or individual braided hair. Adds shine without looking or feeling greasy.”
Knights also recommends using Creme of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment mixed with water in a spray bottle. “These products are sure to bring curls back to life," she adds.
If you’re looking for particular techniques or tricks to alleviate tension or discomfort often associated with wearing goddess braids, Knights shares that knotless goddess braids are usually done with less tension at the scalp, rather than traditional braids. “I highly suggest gauging tightness throughout your braiding session with your stylist. Should your braids end up too tight, one of my favorite go-to's is the Bumble and bumble’s Hairdresser's Invisible Oil. It provides a cool sensation on the scalp, without over saturating the scalp with oil,” Knights says.
The stylist also suggests a spray bottle with water to relieve tension. Additionally, less styling in the first few days of installing the braids to avoid scalp irritation.
Gentle Cleansing:
One topic that can be confusing when committing to goddess braids is the washing process. Should I wash my braids? How often should I wash them? We had all the questions, and Knights came with the tea. “Everyone’s wash [day] routine is different. To each client’s discernment, by weeks 3-4, if your scalp is itchy or shows signs of dandruff, it would be safe to wash your braids.
"I highly recommend paying more attention to the scalp rather than the braids itself. Keeping the braids up in a bun while saturating the scalp will keep the curls from matting and tangling during the wash process. After washing the scalp I recommend reapplying mousse and tying the hair down with a scarf to help tame any frizz that may occur after washing.”
Protect Your Crown:
One of the biggest keys to the longevity of goddess braids is having a braid bonnet and shower cap to ensure that the braids are dry. Invest in a satin or silk bonnet or scarf to protect your goddess braids while you sleep. Cotton pillowcases can cause friction, leading to frizz and flyaways. Additionally, tying your braids with a silk scarf can help preserve their shape and prevent them from unraveling.
“Combing through the loose curls with your fingers and having a routine to ensure that the hair isn't matting or entangling into one another can help with longevity as well," Knights shares. "The same way you’d care for your curls after a successful wash day would also promote the longevity for any 'goddess' style!”
Courtesy
Regular Touch-ups:
As your natural hair grows, your goddess braids may begin to loosen or develop new growth around the edges. Schedule regular touch-up appointments with your hairstylist to re-braid the edges and ensure a seamless look. Avoid leaving braids in for too long, as this can cause tension on the scalp and lead to breakage.
Minimize Manipulation:
While it's tempting to constantly touch and style your goddess braids, excessive manipulation can lead to frizz and premature loosening. Limit the use of styling tools and refrain from pulling or tugging on the braids. Embrace the natural beauty of your braids and allow them to flourish with minimal interference.
Nourish from Within:
Maintaining healthy hair starts from within. Ensure you're consuming a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and hydration to promote hair growth and vitality. Incorporate foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and plenty of water into your daily routine for optimal hair health.
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