Duo Forms Well-Heeled Biz
In fall 2006, Monica Murphy of Old Greenwich and Becca Brown had everything going for them.
The respective Georgetown and Harvard University alumnae were in their last year of business school at Columbia University, with jobs lined up at Goldman Sachs upon graduation.
There was just one problem: Their stilettos kept sinking into grass and getting caught in subway grates. So the friends launched SoleMates High Heelers and never looked back.
SoleMates resemble upside-down golf tees and attach to the bottom of each heel, increasing its surface area and thus decreasing a woman’s chance of sinking, sticking and slipping on tricky terrain.
Their Web site launched July 4 and the plastic marvels are already sold in more than 10 boutiques across the country at $11.95 a pair. A “mini” style for skinny heels will debut within the next few weeks.
“My high school prom was the first time I thought about it,” Brown said at Murphy’s childhood home off Maple Avenue. “My heels were getting stuck in the ground when we went outside to take photos. It was pretty awkward, and I realized that it was this ongoing frustration.”
“We’ve already sold out three times,” said Fox. “People have ordered them for weddings and a lot of people from yacht clubs have come in and said they’re good for avoiding getting stuck in the grates in the dock.”
“We’re so happy,” said Brown, who hopes that someday SoleMates will come with every new pair of shoes.
Photo by SoleMates.
jaeda on September 22nd, 2008 5:59 pm
wow, love to have one.. this is so cool!
cassy on September 22nd, 2008 9:12 pm
I have seen this kind of stuff in some high heels that display in the department store. Just now, I know whats its use after I read this post.
Very nice idea they have…
CoolProducts on September 24th, 2008 11:04 am
I agree with cassy, great idea! I wonder though, since high heels are “fashionable” if these will have trouble taking off since they may be seen as “tacky” by many of the women who wear high heels.
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