We're all mad here! The end is the beginning!
Launching a business is rather easy. Making sure that business thrives is the difficult part. The MAD Shoes will soon turn 1 year old. As a result, I’ve decided to start a series of newsletters that, I hope, will inspire you to take that risk. I know it’s scary, especially given everything happening in the market. But let’s be honest: it’s never a good time to start a business. So if not now then when?
What The MADgician newsletter will be about
The MADgician newsletter will feature a series of engaging articles documenting my entrepreneurial journey as the founder of MAD Shoes. As a founder with little to no experience or background in shoe design, I relied on my passion for fashion to guide me through the challenges of starting this brand.
This newsletter is not just about the business but also about my personal experiences, the learning curve, and the creative processes. Over the next few months, I will take you along on my 365-day journey through "the abyss".
This journey has been filled with moments of doubt, breakthroughs, sleepless nights, and the joy of seeing a vision come to life. I will walk you through the reality of building a product business from scratch, with all its highs and lows.
Should you choose to subscribe to this newsletter, you can expect to read about a variety of topics, including but not limited to:
The idea
Ideas are fun, don't you agree? Many of us live in a dream, and I've been there for so many years, just dreaming about doing this or that to escape real-life struggles. After all, my main life inspiration is Alice in Wonderland. One day, my husband asked me, "If you had the money to start a new business, what would you do?" Without hesitation, I said, "A shoe business." I then went to my colleague and told her about my idea of launching a shoe brand. She thought I was crazy, but after debating names and concepts, we decided on "MAD" because, ultimately, it was a mad idea. And, since many women adhere to the concept of madness when it comes to fashion, we decided to try and make the madness work.
The suppliers, artists & collaborators
Another interesting topic we will cover is finding the right suppliers to complement my vision for MAD Shoes. From the beginning, I aimed to create a high-end shoe; a high-heel, high-quality satin shoe that doesn’t look like any other in the market.
This meant I needed to find a manufacturer who could not only understand my creative vision but, above all, support it wholeheartedly. I was looking for someone who would be as passionate about the details and quality of the product as I was. After a period of in-depth research, countless phone calls, and even visits to potential factories, I finally took a risk and made a decision.
Thankfully, it turned out to be the right one. Call me crazy, but I’ve always cared deeply about the people I work with. I believe that trust and a shared vision are crucial for any successful partnership. If someone doesn’t “feel” right to me, I won’t hesitate to walk away, no matter how impressive their credentials may be.
The same principle applies to the artists and collaborators I’ve chosen to work with. I look for people who are not only talented but who also align with my values. Whether it’s the artisan who crafts the accessories or the photographers capturing the essence of our collections, I want everyone involved to genuinely believe in what I’m creating.
This level of authenticity and connection can’t be faked, and it’s something that I believe sets us apart. For me, it’s not just about getting the job done; it’s about building meaningful relationships.
The challenges
Building MAD Shoes has been an incredible journey, but it hasn’t been without its fair share of obstacles. I’ll be sharing the raw, unfiltered truth about the challenges I’ve faced as a business founder transitioning from services to product.
There were moments when production delays seemed endless, threatening to derail launch timelines, and instances where budget constraints forced me to get creative and come up with solutions.
With no formal background in shoe design and manufacturing, I had to dive deep into understanding the technicalities of crafting a comfortable yet stylish shoe. There were a number of prototypes that didn’t make the cut, and the frustration of watching a design that looked perfect on paper fail in real life. I had to quickly become familiar with industry jargon, develop an eye for detail, and learn to ask the right questions to avoid costly mistakes.
Marketing and building a brand presence have also been challenging. In a saturated market, finding a unique voice and standing out has been no small feat. I’ve spent hours brainstorming branding strategies, designing logos, and crafting a narrative that resonates with our target audience. There were times when I doubted if anyone would understand or appreciate the MAD Shoes concept, and dealing with that self-doubt was a challenge in itself.
Despite these challenges, every burden has been a learning experience, pushing me to think outside the box and find innovative solutions. Each setback has made every small victory that much sweeter, teaching me the value of perseverance and the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, even when things don’t go as planned.
Sharing these challenges with you in the newsletter will not only give you a glimpse into the reality of entrepreneurship but also, I hope, inspire you to keep pushing forward in the face of adversity. After all, it’s these very challenges that shape us and ultimately lead us to triumph.
The strategy
Throughout the journey of MAD Shoes, I’ve learned that strategy must be flexible and adaptable. Initially, we had a basic concept for our product, but we uncovered and refined our strategy as we went along. Product development and design require continuous iteration based on feedback and market trends.
For instance, while our original focus was on bold, statement shoes, customer feedback revealed a demand for versatile, everyday styles. This insight led us to adapt our strategy and diversify our product range. We view each product launch as an opportunity to test and improve, rather than a final product.
I believe that strategy is fluid; what works today might not be effective six months from now, and that's perfectly fine. Staying responsive to changes and continuously refining our approach has been key.
The marketing part
Social media has undeniably been a cornerstone of our marketing strategy. However, from my experience, it can also be a bit deceptive - what you see on these platforms isn’t always the full picture. While social media is great for opening doors and boosting brand awareness, it’s often saturated with influencers who may not always align with your brand’s true essence.
Despite these challenges, I’ve remained committed to maintaining the authenticity of MAD Shoes within our campaigns, even with a limited budget. I’ve learned that you don’t need to spend a fortune on high-profile collaborations to make an impact. The key is to stay consistent and true to your brand’s values. By focusing on what genuinely resonates with our audience and staying authentic, we’ve built meaningful connections.
Long story short, because this introductory newsletter is already long enough, I hope that The MADgician Newsletter will inspire you as much as sharing this journey has inspired me. My goal is for these stories and insights to not only give you a behind-the-scenes look at building MAD Shoes but also to motivate and encourage you in your own venture.
One year from now, I hope to look back and see the growth and evolution of MAD Shoes; not just in terms of our product line and brand presence, but also in the lessons learned and milestones achieved.
Achievements we’re proud of:
- MAD Shoes walked on the red carpet at the 75th edition of the Emmy Awards
- MAD Shoes will soon be joining Wolf & Badger
- MAD Shoes was approached by Vogue UK
- 1st magazine issue on Curatorialist.ro
- 2nd magazine issue Business Magazin
I don't want to say that this year has been one of the most difficult of my life in terms of business, so I'll just say it has been transformative. The risks taken and the strategies implemented have paid off, and our commitment to authenticity and innovation has truly made a difference. Thank you for joining me on this journey. And remember, “vision without execution is just hallucination". What are you waiting for?