As the famous Christian Louboutin said, “A woman can carry a bag, but it is the shoe that carries the woman.” Every woman who owns a pair of uncomfortable heels needs Formé Comfort shoe shapers. Formé helps its Louboutin-loving customers never be in discomfort. The effortless shoe shapers, which can be left in overnight, removes wrinkles and shapes the heel area so that your feet, toes, and soles are never in pain — no matter how cute the shoe.
A special thanks to Maureen for collaborating on this Kalon Queens feature to continue spotlighting power females in business and entrepreneurship. Check out our interview with Formé and get ready to relieve foot pain by stretching your favorite pumps, flats, and boots.
What inspired you to start Formé Comfort?
My inspiration came from an actual need. I came home from an incredible party and my husband was sharing all these stories about the conversations he had and the people he met. Frankly I was a little bit jealous because I was at the same party, but I did not have any fun stories to share. Why? My shoes were killing me. When we got home I couldn’t wait to take off my pinchy pumps and I turned and saw my husband put a pair of those old fashioned clunky shapers in his shoes. When I asked him why he did that he told me it’s because they make his shoes comfortable every time he wears them.
I wasn’t about to miss out on any more parties, so when I wasn’t able to find a shoe shaper that actually worked for women’s shoes, I invented one of my own. Formé Shoe Shapers are the world’s first high heel shoe shaper and stretcher that can work on every pair in your closet. No more missed out moment, leaving early or having to take your shoes off. Now we can all have our shoes and wear them too!
What is your favorite thing about shoes?
I would choose a great pair of shoes over a superhero cape any day. The best ones come with all sorts of powers, they can make us taller, prouder, more confident and, take any outfit from ordinary to extraordinary. And if they feel good, I feel good. I get more done and have more fun.
Who do you look up to?
Anybody with a thoughtful well-articulated opinion. I might not always agree, yet I appreciate the rigor involved in staying logical without emotion; especially on sensitive subjects.
What advice would you give your teenage self?
Your oily skin is going to look amazing in 10 years 🙂
What are qualities that you look for in a truly sustainable brand? How is your company taking steps in the sustainability movement?
I believe that sustainability is an on-going process. We can always improve our practices and be transparent about what we’re doing for the planet.
What was important to me when creating my product is that I wanted to make something that lasts for a lifetime. Formé not only allows you to wear all your “wish-they-fit” shoes, but it also keeps their perfect shape and reduces wrinkles not only prolonging wear but also increasing their resale value. In doing this, Formé is joining a huge trend toward a circular fashion
economy where clothing and accessories live long happy lives on our feet and out of a landfill!
How do you take care of yourself? What’s your favorite self-care practice?
Sleep. I have found that a good night’s sleep is my re-set button. Anything that seemed overwhelming gets put in perspective by the morning.
Can you share a time you failed and what you learned from it?
Really? You only want one? My failures are constant and the learning is on-going.
If I were to select one of my most financially expensive failures it happened in my last company. I selected the lowest cost provider for my main hero product. That supplier was undercapitalized and failed to deliver on time which cost me money and credibility with Target. My credibility took longer to recover than the lost money.
Proudest moment to date?
On the business side, surpassing over $1 million in revenue. On the personal side, raising two kind sons who respect women.
What has been some of the most challenging aspects of starting and growing your company?
The growth doesn’t seem to happen as quickly as I would like. It’s the hardest part of having your own business, this is why I think it’s so important to surround yourself with great teammates. Our Formé team is small, but we are mighty. I feel very lucky to have such amazing women on our staff who continue to impress me every day.
What advice would you give to women who want to become entrepreneurs or run their own businesses?
Test your idea by asking “What problem does this solve?” and “How many people have this problem?” That’s a great way to determine how “big” your idea can become.
What does women’s empowerment mean to you?
Sisterhood is stronger than competition.
Tell us about a philanthropic mission you care about, and maybe how it has been incorporated into your business.
I was a foster child. My birth mother gave birth to me at a place called St. Annes, an organization designed to help at-risk mothers and children. I became a foster child and was later adopted into a loving family. I’m truly grateful for all that St. Annes did for me and my birth mother who needed the safe place that St. Annes provided. Since then I have continued to
work with St. Annes in a philanthropic capacity, I am currently on the board and next year I will be the first ever chairman of the board who was born at St. Annes.
Fun Facts:
- Current book you’re reading: The Chain by Adrian McKinty (I love reading 1st novels by any author because they take incredible risks)
- Hobby: Hiking, Flower Sculpture, Photography
- Favorite podcast and/or blog: How I Built This
- Role model(s): My girlfriends – Pardis for her heart, Beth for her Generosity, Sue for her Kindness, Marie for her Faith, Terry for her wicked sense of humor
- Favorite Vacation Destination: Alaska or any place with turquoise water
Interviewed by Katie Lam // Shop for Formé here and make sure to use promo code “KATIE20” for 20% discount.
Email Katie @ katie@kalonsf.com if you’d like to be featured next!
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This was such a great article to read! Thank you for posting
I need this! I always have issues with shoes not fitting right..either too tight or loose and causing bunions. I love high heels but for some reason my toes keep tapering in and slips.
She is amazing wow!! What an inspiring figure! I can’t thank you enough for sharing this interview, THANK YOU.
Very interesting. I thought we just had to suffer through the pain as a sacrifice for wearing cute shoes. I’ll have to check this product out.
I feel so uplifted after reading this. I am an entrepreneur by heart that has just not met my new endeavor yet. Lost a good business years back. And I know understand why I look younger than my age, oily skin! Haha!
Not being able to enjoy yourself because of painful shoes is way too familiar of a story!… I’m excited to look into Formé Comfort some more!
Also–Thank you for doing these features! I really love getting to hear of new businesses by and for women! Like, this is how we can revolutionize our economy!
💕 Alissa Ackerman, Fashion-Philosophy Blogger at StoryBehindTheCloth.com
Wow every woman should have it in her closet for every pair of shoes !!! No oh well no hesitation I have to take them!
so much content on this post. thanks for giving inspiration to your readers! 🙂
Oh my gosh what an awesome interview! Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us!
I have wide feet, and I can’t tell you how many shoes I’ve wanted but left in stores because they were just the slightest bit too tight! The perfect solution would be brands that accommodate those with wider feet, but this looks like the next best option as long as you need very minimal stretch.
collection is just amazing… i just loved that…..
These are some fabulous shoes. I like all the colors! I enjoyed reading the interview!
What a genius product! I can definitely relate to the annoyance of painful shoes, but they are so hard to resist. It’s great that there is a way to help make your favorites fit better!
I for one, have never heard of this product, but it is a must have for women. Great interview and props for shining a light on female businesses committed to making fashion comfortable!
She sounds like a cool person. I love the quote: “Sisterhood is stronger than competition”.
What an inspiring woman! Great interview! 🙂
Such pretty shoes. I love her advice about the skin as that is so true.
I love the line “it’s the shoe that carries the woman”. As to empowerment, to me that means living my life as ME, without fear of judgement and ridicule. Now you cannot always stop those things, but you can choose to not give them power over YOU.
This is a really cool product. I could totally use them for my shoes.
I get so tired of pinched feet. I need to get some of these. Thanks for the suggestion.
Wow, those are some sharp shoes. I’ve never been much of a shoe person, but I can appreciate a great looking pair of shoes for sure!! Thanks for sharing such great inspiring women.
Very interesting! I agree with the shoe quote, it’s the shoe who will carry us women
I remember seeing my dad using those old-fashioned shapers when I was a kid! I didn’t know that there was a version for high heels available. That will help so much to remove the pain from the shoes I wear now. Thanks for sharing!
This sounds like a great product to have to keep shoes comfy without over stretching . I love the shoe selection.
Great shoe collection and I LOVE the products. I think I need it for my numerous pairs
She definitely has vision and her creation is so useful! Every women struggles with wearing new shoes and it takes so long until (or even if) the shoes stretch to fit properly.
Wow, I feel so inspired by her! Despite her being brought up as a foster child, she achieved so much . Very humble as well to own up to her mistakes. Shoes look great too!
That was definitely a great idea that she had and it’s good to see that she made it work. I personally don’t buy heels and pumps because they are so uncomfortable!
We just got a pair of forme comfort! Can’t wait to see the difference it makes.