Getting ready to launch your first product- with Laura Gillett, Stomperz Shoes

undefined: 00:00:08

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:00:21

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:01:06

Thank you for having me.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:01:08

Oh, you're so welcome. Can we please start with you giving us an introduction to your business and what you sell, please?

Laura Gillett: 00:01:14

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:01:29

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:01:45

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:02:36

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?

Laura Gillett: 00:02:46

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:03:43

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?

Laura Gillett: 00:04:02

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:04:30

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:05:09

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:05:32

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?

Laura Gillett: 00:05:50

Yes, I have full time job as well. Yeah.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:05:52

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?

Laura Gillett: 00:06:11

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:07:25

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?

Laura Gillett: 00:07:42

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:08:31

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?

Laura Gillett: 00:08:47

That, that whole process took at 12, 14 months, something like that, a long time, yeah.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:08:54

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:09:06

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:09:24

Well, yeah, for now maybe, but I think, you know, this, it is a business now, isn't it? It will.

Laura Gillett: 00:09:29

Yes. The, um, the final manufactures are landing tomorrow. So we would be. We will be ready to go.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:09:36

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:09:46

Yeah, absolutely.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:09:48

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?

Laura Gillett: 00:09:59

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:10:36

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

Laura Gillett: 00:10:41

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:11:35

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:12:15

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:12:34

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?

Laura Gillett: 00:12:42

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:13:00

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:13:08

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

Vicki Weinberg: 00:13:12

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:13:18

Oh, thank you.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:13:20

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?

Laura Gillett: 00:13:41

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:15:30

Wow. That's really good. And Olly has obviously got his red shoes which he must be so overwhelmed about.

Laura Gillett: 00:15:36

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

Vicki Weinberg: 00:15:41

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:16:24

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:16:51

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:17:09

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:17:54

That's amazing. And they are, do you mind me asking, are they UK based?

Laura Gillett: 00:17:59

No, they're based, based in China.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:18:01

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?

Laura Gillett: 00:18:16

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:19:00

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

Laura Gillett: 00:19:04

Yeah, that's right. Yeah.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:19:06

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:19:57

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:20:08

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?

Laura Gillett: 00:20:20

Yes, absolutely.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:20:22

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:20:46

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:21:32

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:21:54

Those I actually did myself.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:21:55

Oh, did you?

Laura Gillett: 00:21:57

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:23:03

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:23:59

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:24:48

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:25:30

Absolutely. I, I always think as an expert.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:25:34

So we are recording this in July. And you said your products are arriving tomorrow. Is that right tomorrow?

Laura Gillett: 00:25:41

Yeah.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:25:42

What happens tomorrow? What what's planned? Do you have any. Anything planned for launch or?

Laura Gillett: 00:25:49

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:26:55

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:27:25

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

Vicki Weinberg: 00:27:30

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?

Laura Gillett: 00:27:59

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:29:00

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:29:29

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:29:57

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?

Laura Gillett: 00:30:24

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:31:29

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:32:37

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.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:32:51

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.

Laura Gillett: 00:32:58

Oh, thank you so much for having me. It's been been lovely.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:33:01

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. Thank you again and see you next week.