Fancy Footwork
This story appears in the January 2003 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
Vital Stats: Taryn Rose, 35, founder of Taryn Rose International Inc.
Company: High-end shoes for women and men that boast classic style and handcrafted comfort
Sales: $15 million projected for 2003
Woe My Feet! "I was a resident at USC School of Medicine, on my feet up to 14 hours a day. I had a hard time finding shoes attractive enough to go with my wardrobe, but also comfortable enough to meet my functional needs. Also, I saw a lot of women who needed foot surgery because of tight footwear. I thought, 'I should see if there is something out in the market.'"
"My philosophy on beauty is women shouldn't have to think about their feet. They should be thinking on their feet." |
Say Again, Doc? "My family was opposed [to my starting a business]. They're a traditional Asian family. They thought I was giving up prestige and a good income to take on a lot of risk. For me, that was exciting. That was how I wanted to live-to have a vision, build on that vision and be proud."
More Talk, Less Ads: "I find editorial is more important than advertising because we want to educate so people understand what we're all about, and you can't do that with an ad."
Sole Searcher: "I targeted a niche, the luxury market, with comfort as a philosophy. My customers are like myself-independent [people] who are in control of their lives. They're not victims anywhere, and they're not going to be fashion victims."
Contact Source
- Taryn Rose International
www.tarynrose.com
