A while back we did an interview with Katja of Skimbaco where I noted about the Oprah mention made about the ladybug shoes that Suri was wearing on her show. Although Katja’s online store sells these great shoes, it is Jenny Ford’s business, Monkey Toes, where they originated from.
These fun shoes are as unique as their maker. The hand painted quality gives them a special trait that you won’t find in bulk products on the market. That’s not all that is great about her, the story behind the business is a good one, too.
What is Monkey Toes? How long has it been since it launched?
Monkey-Toes is a fun line of hand painted children’s shoes and socks. We hand paint characters on to the shoes and socks (these are not hand painted) that transform a blah canvas shoe into a little friend for the feet of kiddos. We launched December of 2002.
What kind of products do you offer? How many styles and colors?
We currently offer 9 different styles of shoes in both tennis shoes and mary janes – in sizes 1-10. We also have 4 different styles of socks – Ladybugs, Bees, Frogs, Pigs. The colors are vibrant and range from white to pink to green and to denim. Take your pick, you’re bound to find something for finicky feet! We have also created a couple of collections – Teaching Toes – Boogie Monsters. These tennis shoes and mjs (mary janes) teach children their left and right by associating their right and left foot with a name and a different character on the toe – Lefty Lu and Ralphie Right. We have a new addition to this collection coming soon – the Pound Pals – a cat and a dog each individually adorn the right and left toe of the shoes. They are going to be a hit with little girls! We also have a Twinkle Toes Collection – the first released are the LUV bugs. This is a fictional character in pink and purple with glittery accents. We just finished up an Exclusive shoe for Poshtots.com, called the Garden Damselfly. This design is not typical of our usual whimsical designs – it is actually a little more of a realistic painting. It turned out really nice and I hope that the Poshtots.com customers will enjoy it too. We are also getting ready to launch Flutterflies (hot pink and green) and Limited Edition shoes for Halloween - GLOW BUGS. These shoes are the Ladybugs, Bees and Spiders with Glow-in-the-Dark eyes. They are only available August 1 - Oct 15.
We know from a recent interview with Katja, of Skimbaco, that you are where the famous Lady Bug shoes shown on Oprah originated. How has that affected your business?
Any press is great! Especially the opportunity to be on Oprah, who could have planned that any better? It has brought some major recognition to my brand. It was seen by millions upon millions of people. Plus it gives us an “in” or more of a story when contacting the media. It obviously doesn’t create millions of dollars in sales right away because they didn’t give the product name away, but you really get a chance to build your brand. It’s crazy to see how much influence celebs, and their kids, have on what people buy.
How much planning went into making your business what it has become today? What are some of the steps you’ve had to go through?
This is my first business, but probably not my last. I think I started with an exit strategy. All decisions that I make are based on how I plan to exit the company and what I want this company to look like when I do that. Everything I do is a learning experience, and I think the biggest mistakes that I have made have influenced me in the best possible ways – which is kinda weird to say. It has been a really crazy, blessed, horrifying experience all wrapped up into one. At one point when separating from my ex-husband, I was working 2 jobs and keeping Monkey-Toes afloat. Then I went to working 1 part time job and Monkey-Toes. Then I went from no other income to Monkey-Toes as a single mom. I have had very scary moments (i.e., paying the mortgage) being alone and completely financially responsible for my 2 daughters and myself. I relied and still do rely on God to carry me (now us) through those times, I am so blessed to have been brought through the troubled times and to have learned the tough lessons that I did. I will never take anything for granted.
What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned since launching Monkey Toes?
Oh gosh. Like I said in the last answer, I learned not to take anything for granted. I learned to act on any silly, crazy, outlandish ideas that come to me (especially if they are cheap). I learned that I am really, really innovative when I have no cash to spend – I think outside the box – I can only imagine what I could do with an influx of cash. Don’t feel guilty for taking a little time for yourself (preaching to the choir here), burn-out happens really easily.
If you could go back and change anything, what would it be and why?
Don’t spend frivolously because you have a couple of good sales, don’t spend on silly things like expensive office furniture, business cards, etc. Cash is key – make sure you have it at all times. Surround yourself with smart people. I am not the smartest person all around – no one is, even Donald Trump admits it. He just surrounds himself with the experts. I am working on doing that myself. Admit when you are not good at something! I am horrible at the financial stuff, but I can do it. Learn as much as you can, so you know how to do it and what you are doing to check up on those that are doing it - and then pass it along to someone else.
What are some of the positives and negatives you’ve noticed working from home?
Right now – it’s hot in here! I love working from home, I love working early in the morning with bed head and in my pajamas. I miss some interaction with people, but sometimes I am so focused, I would probably loose any concentration if people were around me. I don’t like feeling guilty sitting on the couch watching TV if I know there are a million other things I could be doing – there isn’t much separation between the office and home, which leads to guilt. There are always things to be done.
Do you have any long-term goals that you would like to meet in the next 5 or 10 years?
I actually want to exercise my exit strategy in about 5 years. This year, I would like to secure some investor growth capital and watch my product lines explode. I want to watch my vision for this company become a reality. (no big plans, right?) In 10 years, who knows, I may be starting something else.
How has being a parent affected how you do business? Are there any traits or benefits you’ve found to be especially useful as a mom and as a business owner?
I think I can go back to the lack of money and thinking outside the box. As a single parent and not doing so well financially, I had to come up with ways to sell my products for little to no money. Well, I was also having to entertain my kids with little to no money as well. Even just a short trip to the library kept them pacified for just a little bit longer. Or making birdhouses out of shoe boxes has been fun (Lord knows we have plenty of those lying around here). I look around the house and am constantly thinking of how something can be improved and how we can do it with little to no money. It’s actually pretty fun now. The kids love it too. I think parenting has limited me from becoming a work-a-holic. I couldn’t begin my day until the kiddos were off at school and I had to end my day when they got out of school at 2:30. And when they were home, I would include them in little Monkey-Toes projects too. They love to help.
How do you manage your time between being with family and working?
It’s a little different now that I am married to a wonderful man, who also happens to be a firefighter and has a great schedule. This totally allows me to get some major work done on the days he is home and then when he is working, I am able to maybe work a couple of hours and then I hang out with them for the rest of the day. I mentally shut off and really try (it’s hard) not to think about what needs to be done. If I have time after they go to bed, then I will start work again.
What would you say to someone if they approached you looking for advice on starting a business?
This is always a difficult question for me, because I really don’t like to be a Debbie Downer, but my honest advice is to make sure you have a bunch of money and a lot of time. Don’t expect to get paid for at least 3 years, that money needs to sink back into the business. Keep positive, this is the best way to achieve things. Get a tough skin – many people will tell you that they can do what you’re doing for cheaper or they can do it better.
cassy on July 3rd, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I like the shoes… the designs are so unique.
I like the shoes…the designs are so unique… think its so cute in my niece feet.