J’adore les chaussures

A few weeks ago I posed a question to the Twitterverse about how I should name my shoes when my website (finally) goes live in a few weeks. I’d been uncomfortable with the concept of using girls names for shoes, which appears to be the norm, but I realise that I need to name them something. I was over the moon when Tweeps validated the plan I have for naming my shoes. Obviously as a newbie to the business world I’m worried about whether decisions like this one could make or break me but it feels right for me so I’m going to go with my gut. When you begin your search for your perfect shoe on the AGLS website, you will notice each shoe has its own name and each name represents a French city or province.

This little ‘je ne sais quoi’ stems back to my love of the passionate culture, which began back when I was lucky enough to take part in exchange holidays with a French friend (Gé-Gé) every year from the age of 14. We would spend two months together each summer vacation, a month in each country. It almost seems like a dream now, but I spent a month every year savoring up and soaking in the French sounds and smells, exploring Caen (Normandy), Paris, the Loire Valley, Les Sables-d’Olonne, and as we got older her parents moved south-east to Groisy and I got to enjoy the amazing Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (Alps)! We are still friends to this day. Even after finishing high school I still visited France each year until I moved to Australia. This was usually through weekend trips (yup, it only cost $40 to fly there!) to experience the magic of Paris, the city of love. Did I mention I’m a hopeless romantic?!

My collection is inspired by these experiences, the culture, and the feminine chic.

In the words of the formidable French designer Coco Chanel – ‘Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress…’

In the words of Dawn Harris… ‘That’s correct because it consists in putting on new shoes!’

Dawn xx

The power of networking

Lately I’ve been reflecting on my time so far as a shoentrepeneur and although setting my business up is certainly proving to be a more drawn out process than I could have ever imagined, I am certainly learning many important lessons, particularly the importance of putting in the effort to network and make connections.

I have met some amazing, inspirational and gutsy people so far, who have spurred on my desire to really give Aussie Girls Love Shoes all I’ve got. The amazing thing is that each person wanted to network with me for me, Dawn Harris, business woman, business owner – all this before a single shoe box has arrived from my suppliers.

This makes me think, we really are our business.

No matter what our industry, so much of our business is what we have to offer behind the scenes.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am female, which means I LOVE to talk and I talk shoes which means I always have something in common when I attend a women’s networking event, the fact is that since attending these events, no matter what my business offers, I have been privy to a world of discussion, information sharing and support that is so vital when you’re starting up.

My first experience of networking love was at a Business Chicks event (a national community enriching the lives of women in business, www.businesschicks.com.au) back on the 13th September. Since then I’ve been hooked. Whenever I get a chance away from my busy schedule I attend events like this to spend valuable time with like-minded inspirational & motivated women. I had sadly missed an event of Business Chicks in November because of my back injury but have got right back onto it this year.

The first event I attended in 2012 was at the Australian Shoe Fair in Feb in the beautiful Sydney, I know, you’re all thinking – Predictable, but if the shoes fits? No, seriously, even though it was a room full of people who were always going to get along because of a common interest, I came away feeling extremely driven because of the people I had met. Some were very successful and were somewhat gurus of the shoe world, others were novices like me, but all were connected and happy to share ideas and advice.

Great morning for buying shoes! #fashionexposed http://t.co/y4ARBfDU

—
Dawn Harris (@AGLoveShoes) February 11, 2012

Since the Shoe Fair I continued to be tempted by the brilliance that is Business Chicks. I booked two more two Business Chicks networking events, one night time soiree and one breakfast event with the stunning and stylish Dannii Minogue (@DanniiMinogue).  I knew both events offered brilliant insights into the world of business ownership and management and were void of any drunk dirt bags, business card bullies or people with an inferiority complex who make sure you leave with one too.

Like the first business chicks networking event I met AMAZING women from all sorts of backgrounds, some of whom I now call friends! That’s the beauty of networking – you simply never know what wonderful people you might encounter when you push yourself out of your comfort zone and break out of your clique.

I was devastated when I learned a “not negotiable” (as my partner calls it) meeting came up with my bill-paying job which meant I was not going to be able to attend Dannii’s breakfast. I burst into tears – I’d been looking forward to hearing Dannii speak for weeks. Luckily my gorgeous and fabulous cousin Niamh was happy to attend in my place. In fact, Niamh met with Dannii and gave her my business card and you know what, even if I never see Ms Minogue tottering in my stiletto’s, the sheer fact that she saw my business card that moment goes to show what opportunity awaits if you get out and give it a go.

Photo: Niamh (my beautiful cousin & best friend) with the stunning and inspiring Dannii Minogue, holding a signed copy of Dannii’s new book (a surprise for me!)

So ladies, get out there. Meet your future mentors and mentees (yes you have stuff to offer too you know, even if you don’t realise it). It’s high time us women stood shoulder to shoulder and prop each other up, let’s network and promote each other like men have been doing for years. We know that as women we are strong (even when we cry), we are creative, we are compassionate, we are intelligent and we are just simply AMAZING. Let’s make our mothers and grandmothers proud and do what they would have loved to do. There are opportunities all around us – carpe diem.

Now all you need is a killer pair of heels to wear while doing it… I think I know someone that can help with that.

Dawn xx

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