Sometimes a change in circumstance forces us to make a shift in our life. Other times it’s getting to a point where you can’t stay in the current situation any longer and you realize it’s time for a change. That’s where Lindsey Tate was during a lunch break years ago and she called her sister, Laurel Tate, and said, “I’m officially unmanageable and I can’t work for anyone else anymore.”
I think many have felt this way one time or another, but it takes some serious guts to go out on a limb and take a life gamble. To start something from the ground up is no easy task. During that time Laurel had sold her catering business and was in between jobs as well as staying home with her son. Lindsey had been in sales and customer service and Laurel had been in retail. What a perfect combo to open a small business.
The two sisters had seen small boutique shoe stores come and go in Boulder, CO over the 22 years they had been there and thought they would give a shoe shop a shot (say that three times real fast) since they both love shoes. What girl doesn’t love shoes though, right?
In May 2007 they came up with a loose business plan. In July they attended a shoe show in Las Vegas to see what was out there in the world of soles. That Fall a lease was signed and they began designing the store and getting inventory, which is the part of the process they absolutely loved. Two Sole Sisters (How clever of a name is that?) opened their doors in March of 2008 and just celebrated 9 years at the infamous Pearl St. location.
Lindsey admitted that they both get bored quickly so they took on another project and opened a second location in Denver.
Lindsey and Laurel recognize the importance and demand nowadays to have a web presence so in order to set themselves apart they carry some brands that others in town don’t supply. They have been to Milan, Italy twice and bring those fancy shmancy goodies over to our American hood. For example, they approached La Bottega di Lisa and offered to be the first ones to sell their brand in the United States and they agreed. These sisters are go-getters!
Lindsey said, “Being so focused to not have to work for anyone else was very motivating and kept my eye on the prize.” Well, Sole Sisters your hard work and dedication has paid off. You’re making a lot of souls (See what I just did there?) and feet very happy.
Check out all their stylish, unique shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories at twosolesisters.com. LIKE and or COMMENT to be entered in the drawing to win a $25 gift card to Two Sole Sisters. SHARE and you will be entered twice (post must be “public” for me to see who shared). Drawing will be Friday, July 14th!
Small Business Shopster 