They are meant to be miss-matched. One is not like the other. And they’ve got personality! Shoe designer Sharon Blumberg founded CHOOZE shoes that are not only cute and adorned by celebrity kiddies like Shiloh Jolie-Pitt and Nahla Aubry but the year-old company has big plans to support anti-poverty programs around the world.
I was interested in finding out more after receiving a press release and invitation to the media preview in West Hollywood (sadly I had missed it by a few days on my recent trip out that way, but her fun designs and her company’s initiatives caught my eye!) so I was able to interview her and find out more!
What, or who, inspired you to create this fun and unique concept of giving?
SHARON: My 5-year old daughter inspired me to create CHOOZE. After watching how much she loved to wear two different shoes, I realized how fortunate our kids are to have the freedom of choice to express their creativity and individuality. Unfortunately, freedom of choice is a gift that people living in poverty simply do not have. My main motivation in starting CHOOZE was the idea that business has the power to create sustainable change in the world. I learned about our Good Returns business model from an inspiring entrepreneur named Salah Boukadoum, who started a company called Soap Hope. Profits at the end of each year are used for microfinance loans to help women living in poverty start their own businesses.
How will you select which anti-poverty programs to loan to?
SHARON: Since we are still in our first year in business, we have not made our first investment. I support microfinance institutions that not only provide loans, but also provide training, support, and education to women living in poverty so they will succeed. Women are the key to ending poverty because women save more, invest more , and are more likely to educate their families and break the cycle of poverty.
In addition to our efforts to help end poverty, we also support programs that focus on creativity because creative thinking is what really propels us forward. One such organization is right near our home in Dallas, TX. It is called Big Thought and they provide programs that help children imagine a better future for themselves and their community through the medium of creative learning.
What was your first reaction when you noticed celebrity kids being photographed with your designs?
SHARON: As a designer, it’s exciting to see people react and appreciate what I worked hard to create. Whether it’s a celebrity kid or one of our other customers who posts a child on Facebook! It is so exciting to see my designs getting out there an making people happy.
The shoes are mismatched for a reason…but can people buy them matching?
SHARON: Our shoes are sold in pairs that are matched but never the same. This inspires creativity and empowers us to change our perspective so we can be open to new ideas. Sometimes the difference is subtle and sometimes it is bolder. We believe that it takes confidence and creativity to wear two different shoes – and these are the two characteristics we all need to be different and to make a difference in the world.
What do you want (or hope) your kids to learn from your initiative?
SHARON: My kids have been very excited and involved in the creation of CHOOZE. I hope they will learn that with hard work, determination, focus, and a belief in one’s self, we can accomplish anything. I hope they learn that they are not too young to help others and that there are many ways to do so. I know they are proud to be part of CHOOZE and that they love to see some of their ideas realized.
Sharon also says,”CHOOZE is a for-profit business with a non-profit heart. Microfinance institutions need capital in order to provide loans to people living in poverty to help them lift themselves out of their situations. All profits from CHOOZE must first spend a year in service as a loan before being taken as profits by the owners. It’s kind of like the Peace Corps for our money. The loans are paid back at the end of the year and then we can start the cycle again.”
Sure the celebrity kids are wearing them but I love them for the adorable designs and the company’s mission. CHOOZE Shoes believe in giving a hand-up rather than a hand-out, a much more sustainable way of helping those out of poverty by empowering women to start their own businesses and lift themselves up.
To learn more about CHOOZE and where they are sold please visit the website at www.choozeshoes.com
Price Range for CHOOZE Shoes:
$44-$48 (US) for toddler sizes
$44-$48 (US) for youth sizes
$44-$59 (US) for women’s sizes
they are adorable! I like that they are finding ways to not just do hand outs..but to give women in poverty the right skill set so they can help themselves too! long term goals!
if I only had a girl! lol…my kid is 12 and is into men sized shoes already! Talk about spend-y! They do have women’s shoes too..I’m tempted.
i saw these in a store and was sorely tempted to buy but it was too far away in case i needed to return them. they are way cuter in person and i really like the philosophy behind them.
These look adorable! Kinda spend-y, but it’s all for a good cause… nice post, Sonya!!