The Mom look

The perfect casual look is, being able to wear a pair of sneaker and still looking stylish. How does one pull that off you might ask? I recently stumbled about Saint and Summer shoes.

Different collections to choose from, and each pair unique, trendy and affordable. I recent had a Q&A session with one of the Directors, Roxy. Here’s a little behind the scenes of the Brand, Saint and Summer:

Introduction:

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your back ground. I am a wife and mother to a gorgeous 2 year old. My dream has always been to run my own business so that I would have the flexibility to be the best business women, wife and mother I could be. Life is meant to be lived and not stuck behind a desk working to live.

When did you start Saint & Summer , and why?

SAINT&SUMMER was started in 2014 by 2 high school best friends, Roxy Message and Julia James. We identified a gap in the jelly sandal market and came out with our first Spring/Summer range which was made up of only jelly sandals.

Describe Saint & Summer in five words.

Simple, stylish, comfortable, affordable and fashion-forward.

Does the name have any meaning?

No there really is no interesting story behind the name. Julia’s husband at the time owned an ad agency and they assisted us in coming up with a name for our brand. Roxy’s daughter is now named Summer.

What challenges have you faced whilst running your company thus far?

Our frustration and challenge is being turned away due to our products not being locally made and proudly South African. Unfortunately there are no local manufacturers who can make the quality and standard of shoes that we our brand stands for and we are forced to import them. As far as we are concerned we are 2 South African women entrepreneurs who are most definitely proudly South African and we should be given equal chances.

What do you love about owning your own business?

The satisfaction it brings in seeing women around wearing our shoes that we know took months to put together. We are also both grateful for the flexibility it brings for a healthy work and family balance.

Which job title best describes you?

General dogsbody. We both get involved in all aspects of the business from the exciting buying trips and putting together ranges to doing stock take in the warehouse and dispatching orders.

How many days per week do you work on average?

5-7 days a week depending who is responsible for our social media that week.

Name three things that you can’t go a day without and that help you run your business.

Each other, customer and our 2 amazing staff member, Lawrence and Natalie.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to start their own business or brand?

Go for it! It always daunting going out on your own but do your research, believe in your product and the customers will come.

Do you feel like you are living your passion?

Absolutely. I am gratefully daily for this life I get to live.

Is there anything you know now, that you wish you knew when you started your business?

Lots! The main one being to hire a good Accountant. We have a part time Financial Director who keeps a close eye on the numbers and gives us invaluable advice and direction each month.

Which people have been enormously helpful to you?

Our loyal stockists and customers. Without their continued support we wouldn’t have a thriving business.

Who is your target market?

If I were to give you a referral, who would I be looking for? Our target market is fashion forward women who value being comfortable while looking trendy. General age demographic is 25-50.