Sandal bash w/ Kallie Shoes at amazon.com. Follow link to order #crueltyfree #milspouse #veganfashion http://ow.ly/10y5MC
Women of Strength/Shannon-Family, Divorce & Prince Charming
This month, Kallie Blog features an incredible woman with an incredible journey. Shannon is our Woman of Strength from April. Now, Shannon narrates her story…
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“I was born in Princeton, NJ and raised in Cranbury, NJ. I began school in 2003 at Rider University and transferred out to UNC Wilmington where I finished my degree in 2008 in Elementary Ed. I moved back to New Jersey in 2009 and began school at Drexel University and I graduated with a MS in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum in 2012. I was first married in 2006 and I had two children during that marriage. Caden was born in 2007 and is 8 years old today and Faith was born in 2011 and is 5 years old today. My first marriage dissolved in 2011 when my husband left. A year later, I met my current husband, Travis, who also has an 8-year-old daughter named Lainie. We will be married now a year this June.”
“I have always wanted to teach. I left NC when my ex-husband, who was active duty, received recruiting duty orders and had planned on finding a teaching job and obtaining my MS in teaching. I didn’t realize that finding a teaching job would be so difficult and found myself without a job when my ex-husband left. I was fortunate to find a temp position working at Hess Corporation and ended up working my way through the corporate world in an unforeseen change of plans. I am currently a Production Planner at a production facility close to my home in Lumberton, NJ.”
#1. At some point you were a single mother. How would you define that stage of your life? What would you say was the most challenging part of being a single mother?
When I think back on this time now, I often do so with pride because of the obstacles my kids and I overcame. However, there is still a lot of pain and sadness attached to this time because we struggled so much. I was working full-time and continuing with my Master’s degree because I refused to allow my ex-husband to ruin that for me. I think balancing everything on my own was a big challenge. I had to balance my time and my finances because everything was tight. My biggest challenge was the emotional side of everything that was happening. I had my own emotions to deal with on top of being the emotional support that my children needed during this time. My son took it the hardest and would cry himself to sleep every night. He was also lashing out during the day in angry explosions. When I look back, it is heart wrenching to think about how much pain my son was in over what had happened to us. I can deal with not having money and suffering myself, but I cannot deal when my child is in pain. I just want my kids to be kids and be worry free.
#2. Name a defining moment in your life.
The most defining moment in my life was a moment when I felt like I had nothing left in me. My world was caving in and it was the first time in a long time that I didn’t have my kids for the weekend. It was the first time I was alone and I had to deal with everything I had been holding back from my kids in order to be strong in front of them. I decided to go to church and the priest was talking and it really hit me. The church was packed yet I felt like it was just God and myself standing there. I had tears rolling down my cheeks because I was just letting go and giving it all to God. It was that moment that I decided that I would make this transition about me. I wouldn’t let it kill me, but I would allow it to make me stronger and shape me into a better person. A person who gave to others. I know that I was not a perfect person before my marriage dissolved and I would take this opportunity to be a better person. I told myself that I would work on being better and not bitter. I told myself that I would allow myself one cry and then I would get back up and move on from the issue and I would invest in myself and grow. This was so I could be a better mother, a strong single mother and a better person in this world.
Shannon & her Prince Charming
#3. Who do you look up to the most? Why?
I have been fortunate to meet many women of strength on my journey especially other single mothers. I look up to them because it takes a lot of strength to endure the things they have and to raise kids on your own is so tough.
There is a single mother and her family who I look up to. They have literally taken my children and I in when we had nowhere to go. She allowed me to sleep in her daughters bed for weeks with my children on her couch. They showed me complete compassion and selflessness when they didn’t have to. We had nothing to give them in return and I look up to them and I have in turn welcomed another single mother and her child into my home when she needed a place to go because I was once in her shoes and someone was nice enough to take me in.
There is also a family that I don’t know very well, but I still look up to them. They have been through much more than anyone I know yet positivity radiates from them. They have the strongest faith in God through all of the storm and praise him every step of the way regardless of how rough things are. I look up to this family and they inspire me often to remain positive and maintain my own faith through tough times.
#4. You are now happily married and are raising a beautiful family. Do you have any encouraging words for women going through a separation or divorce?
I feel very blessed to have found love again. This love is a much deeper love. My experiences changed me and allowed me to really know what I was looking for in a partner the second time. My advice to others would be to remain positive and take this time, as hard as it might be, to work on you. Take it a day at a time because some days will be really good while others will make you feel like you’ve taken ten steps backwards. However, working on you is a very complicated process with a lot of ups and downs. It is something that you will always have to work at. I am still investing in myself today. It is hard work, but it makes me a better mother and member of my community. I am also much stronger in my faith today than I was before my divorce. God has been my anchor in all of this and he has guided me onto the path I walk today.
Shannon & her family ❤
#5. As a woman, what do you want your legacy to be?
I want my legacy to be one of strength. I want people to know that they can overcome any obstacle and they can take that obstacle and actually come out of it a better person. I want my kids to see a positive example of what a parent should be. I want to leave a legacy of selflessness so my children will learn how to give and be a positive member of their community.
Do you know a Woman of Strength? Tell us about her, e-mail us her story at jrice@kallieshoes.com.
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-N
Amanda- How she’s moved mountains with her faith
Amanda Nunez-through the premature births of their children, surgeries, adopting two little boys from Africa. Recently, their faith was once again tested when their oldest daughter was diagnosed with pediatric thyroid cancer.
It is an absolutely pleasure and honor to share Amanda’s stories with our Kallie Shoes community. I met Amanda over 10 years ago in a support group for Marine Corps spouses. We were both pregnant with our first daughters at the same time, and we both have had our unique experiences with them. However, the battles Amanda and her family have endured, go beyond of anything I’ve personally experienced. Amanda & her husband Michael have gone through the premature births of their children, surgeries, adopting two little boys from Africa, and their faith was once again tested when their oldest daughter Ilana was diagnosed with pediatric thyroid cancer. Let this story be an example of what a resilient, kind, and strong woman can achieve in life. Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Amanda.
- What are your biggest challenges the most obvious ones? I think my biggest challenge could be fairly obvious: balancing my life in all the areas of mom-hood. With being a stay at home, homeschooling mom of 4 kids, most with medical needs, it can be hard for me to balance it all. Between cardiology, endocrinology, ophthalmology, retinal specialists, radiation oncologists, thyroid cancer specialists, and pediatric infectious disease doctors (just to name a few) and then trying to homeschool in between and keep a somewhat normal and fun life, it can get difficult. I struggle a lot with balancing it all and sometimes the stress hits me hard, and that’s where you just might find me hiding in my closet with a dozen chocolate wrappers all around me… Just ask my husband!
- How do you overcome when it feels like you can’t? There have been many times, especially lately, when I feel like I can’t overcome everything. That’s where God and my husband become my lifeline. My faith and my relationship with Jesus is what keeps me going and what helps me climb out of those dark valleys that feel completely hopeless. If it weren’t for God’s love and my husband’s constant reassurance, I’m not sure I could handle all that’s been thrown at me over the last couple years. I try to remember Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Usually when I feel like I can’t go on anymore, that’s when I have to literally cry out to God and give every bit of my life back to Him. That’s the only way I can overcome, and by doing that, I get to experience a peace that truly surpasses all understanding. Days where I just feel so overwhelmed, that’s when my husband steps in, takes over and makes me go get away. Two years ago, I got to one of the darkest times of my life when I was the mom of a 2-year-old with RAD (reactive attachment disorder). It’s hard for me to explain in a short paragraph, but I’ve blogged about it, and I’ll just say that it was the hardest time of my life where I became so far from God and was very close to suicide. So for 2 years now, almost every Wednesday night has been my “break night” where I am literally pushed out of the house when he gets home, so I can get alone time. He takes care of dinner, baths, bed, etc., and I’m not allowed home before 9pm. I never realized just how much I needed it until the first few times when I would literally sit in our van and cry because I had no idea what to do or who I was anymore… This is one of the things that helped me draw closer to God as I spent more time alone, relearning myself and spending more time in prayer. If you ever see me on a Wednesday night, completely alone sitting at Panera Bread, I’m probably on my “break night” with my computer, listening to Kari Jobe and writing what may one day become a book… Who knows what God will do!
- How has your support system helped you two and the kids? Honestly, I don’t know how we could do what we do without our family, friends, and church family. The support is incredible! We have so many people constantly in prayer for our family, many who give monetary donations to help offset the costs of my daughter’s cancer expenses, those who bring us meals on hard days, or who send us notes of encouragement on days we need it most, and so many willing to watch our kids (at no cost) for appointments or even date nights! It’s so humbling to sit and think about it all and I cannot imagine how this journey (or the entire journey over the last two years) would be without our support system. God has blessed us in so many ways with so many great people! How many people do you know would sign up to pray for an hour for your 9-year-old daughter undergoing complete isolation due to radiation for cancer treatments? And not only that but have dozens doing so that there were prayers going on every single hour of every day until she was out of isolation? Like I said, God has blessed us with the best support group and friends and family that truly stand in the gap for us, when we sometimes feel like we can’t.
Amanda and her family. They are wearing the colors of pediatric thyroid cancer in support of their oldest daughter, Ilana.
- What do you do to remain positive, despite everything your family has faced? Again, this is where God steps in and takes control. Honestly, while parts of this cancer journey has been scary and hard, I’ve had just this supernatural peace throughout the entire thing. I knew from the very moment I spotted that lump on Ilana that it was not good. But even so, I felt a peace about it and that God was going to use this (hard) journey for something good. I had no doubt about it. There are times where I look back at our life over the past several years and I wonder, how in the world we have made it. How did we make it during the years of RAD.? How did we make it when we had to transition from a family of 7 to a family of 6? How did we make it when my son went blind in one eye and endured 3 difficult surgeries? How did we make it through the diagnosis of my daughter’s cancer and through the difficult surgery for her, finding out that the cancer was much more invasive than we ever imagined, and then now as we face the next step of finding out where all the cancer has spread? How? And the only thing that comes to mind is James 1:2-4 “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” I know that God will use each of these trials and troubles and it’s exciting to see how He’s using them. Seeing the fruit and the beauty from these ashes is what keeps me going and keeps me positive.
- What do you want your legacy to be for your kids? My legacy that I’d love to leave for my kids is to never give up and to always trust God and that He has a plan and a purpose for everything. Good times, bad times, hard times – He has a purpose. TRUST it. TRUST His plan that is SO much greater than our own.
- How would you encourage another woman or family going through a rough season? I would encourage them to stand strong, to trust God, and to know that they can do ANYTHING, if they allow Christ to give them that strength. I would encourage them to reach out and ask and ACCEPT help. To not feel like you have to do everything alone. I would encourage them to take time for yourself and not feel guilty about it. Especially as a stay at home mom (or all moms for that matter) – you need those moments to remember that you’re more than just a mom and for you to truly find yourself. It’s so easy to get caught up in the mom life and forget that you’re more than just that. You’re a beautiful person with a purpose to do something great and you have the ability do do so! Because you are STRONG. Families and marriages can fall apart easily during a rough season, and that’s why it’s so important to cling to each other and turn to God.
To follow Ilana’s journey, you can join the Facebook group Warriors for Ilana
Kallie Shoes delivering smiles in Uganda, Africa…
Did you know that millions of women in third world and developing countries have never had a new pair of shoes? YES! It is a sad reality of many of our sisters. What can we do about it? I’ll tell you, but first let me share a quick story…
As you know, our shoes are hand-crafted, cruelty-free and we donate a percentage of our profits to the Semper Fi Fund. We however make donations of shoes to women in need. Back in December, Random Acts of Kindness were being done in honor of Ilana. Ilana is an adorable 9-year-old who was recently diagnosed with pediatric thyroid cancer. I met Ilana’s Mom about 10 years ago in a support group for military spouses. In honor of Ilana, I offered a donation of new shoes to any charity in Africa. Then, things got mysteriously interesting!
Amanda mentioned just a couple of days later that one of her friends who collaborates with a ministry in Uganda was coming to the USA, and he could take two 50lb suitcases with shoes. BINGO! My donation was 100 pairs of shoes, and they were the PERFECT fit for those two suitcases.
The shoes were sent to Florida where Mr. P (Amanda’s friend) picked them up and took them back home to Uganda. Somehow, his ministry had already planned an event for the ladies to get pedicures! YES, but now they would be getting pedicures & new shoes too. Coincidence? I don’t think so J God and the universe made it all happen. The timing was perfect, Amanda’s friend was there, and FedEx even delivered the box on time 😉
Part of our brand’s identity is to empower other women. At Kallie Shoes, we truly believe in the importance of celebrating other women’s achievements, hard work, dedication to their families, careers, different causes and/or any calling in life. The pictures that you are about to see are because of our customers, you have made it all happen. We have shared our mission with you, and you joined us and have helped us to bring so many smiles…We delivered smiles all the way to Uganda, Africa. Your support and loyalty has also helped us to make donations to wounded veterans of the Semper Fi Fund.
My hope is that these pictures make you smile as much as they made me, and hey if you feel them tears too, set them free.
My most sincere thank you for your support, loyalty and for believing in our brand and what we stand for. Enjoy these lovely pictures, follow link for more…
To follow Ilana’s journey, you can join the Warrior’s for Ilana Group.
To learn more about Kyampisi Childcare Ministry, please visit their Facebook page.
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-N
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Women of Strength-Faith & Persistence
In our February’s edition of Women of Strength, we are featuring Hannah. An incredible woman with an incredible journey now living and embracing an extraordinary life. A life of challenges, loss, faith, persistence, and most importantly…STRENGTH. Whenever you feel like giving up, just think of Hannah and everything she’s endured to move forward. This is her story ❤
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At 7AM, June 1, 2011, I received a phone call from the US Marines. My husband, age 22, had been injured in combat. He was on a foot patrol in Kajaki, Afghanistan when Taliban detonated an IED ten feet to his right. Three tourniquets. Eight hospitals. Ten surgeries. Eighteen months of physical, vestibular, and occupational therapy. Just to get our life back to semi-normal. At the same time, I was going through my MBA program at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. If you missed more than two classes, or had below a B average, you were dismissed from the program.
Hannah & her husband
Fast forward to January 2015. I’ve been at my dream job at consulting and accounting firm AKT LLP for two years. I’m currently studying to earn my CPA license. The CPA exams are arguably some of the most difficult for a professional to pass, with approximately 15 hours of testing and each with a 40-50% pass rate. I work with the tax group, so my “busy season” is just starting.My husband just injured himself from lingering issues related to his combat wounds. He needs surgery. Ten days later, we are notified by the Portland Police Department that my father-in-law- young, healthy, and someone I look up to- has passed away. Then I receive notice that I’ve failed a CPA exam. Again. I’m used to life being fast paced at this point, but when can I put life on hold? Why can’t I just quit and take the easy route?
-What has been your biggest source of strength through your series of hardships?
Two very important things get my through hardships:
1. I was raised as the daughter of a counselor. From childhood, my voice had importance and I could speak my mind in a safe environment. My parents taught me the value of expressing myself and not being afraid to feel emotions. What gets me through hardships is my lack of fear for my loved ones to see who I really am. If I am hurting, and am asked how I am doing, I don’t pretend I’m “OK”. I’ve found that people have very kind hearts and want to help carry others through their hardships.
2. My biggest hero in life was my grandfather. He had a personal motto: “Everything is fixable.” Whenever I’m stressed, I tell myself this. So what if the car is broken? It can get fixed. Who cares if you did bad on a work or school project? There’s always next time. There are very few things in this world that are not fixable, and I wish that no one is experiencing these on a regular basis.
-How do you find the motivation to continue with your schooling and dreams and not put it on the back burner?
I seek to recognize all the great things around me.
One day, I ran out of checks and had to reorder. I wondered why I needed checks in the first place-wasn’t it 2015? As I flipped through pages of samples, one option stood out:
“REMEMBER WHAT’S IMPORTANT.”
What a silly thing to stamp on the background of a checkbook. But how incredibly accurate and applicable to all aspects of my life! What was important to me? Family. Physical health. Faith. My education. Friends. When I find myself stuck in a difficult place or with too much to do, I ask myself, “What is important?” This helps me prioritize and stay focused on my education and dreams.
-What would you tell other women pursuing a passion when life gets hairy?
Don’t give up. You have to have faith that it will be worth it. It’s amazing what an optimistic mind can do for personal drive. If you can’t be your own cheerleader, don’t be afraid to reach out to someone to see if they’re up for the job. I confide in different cheerleaders for different parts of my life. When it comes to my personal life, my husband and family are my cheerleaders. For work, it’s my managers. For my exams, it’s my peers that are going through the same, painful process.
-What pushed you to *start* on your path, while having every reason to wait or do something else?
When I graduated college, my husband had about two years left in the service before we could move home. That was the perfect amount of time to complete my MBA. By this time, I knew I wanted to be a public accountant. When I was hired at a CPA firm, the CPA exams seemed like the next natural step. I don’t know why I started, but I knew I wanted to keep moving! I had faith that I was on the right path and had a vision of where I wanted to end up.
– Despite the ups and downs, what has been your favorite and most fulfilling aspect of not giving up and continuing to persevere?
When my husband’s father passed away, a mentor of mine took me to coffee to ask how we were doing. He knew about all of our past hardships and knew this was going to be another difficult battle for us. His words have never left me:
“God’s preparing you for something great. I can’t wait to see what it is!”
These words have carried me through this last terrible year and move me forward. I hope that my story may one day reach someone that felt just as much like quitting as I have, and that it encourages them to fight for just a little bit longer.
Do you know a woman of strength? Send us her story, and she could be featured in our monthly publication. E-mail jrice@kallieshoes.com and tell us about that strong woman in your life.
Women of Strength~ A Brave Story…
A big part of the Kallie Shoes brand is to empower other women through social retail. During the 16 months our store has been in business; we’ve met great women with remarkable stories. Kallie Shoes is proud and thrilled to publish, our very first edition of Women of Strength. Every 1st Monday of the month, we will publish a story of a woman of strength. It is our sincere hope that you enjoy these stories of resiliency, heroism, love, dedication, sacrifice, and strength.
She is a remarkable woman with a remarkable strength, and this is her story…
P.C @La Buena Vida Photography.
Juanita is originally from the Hopi Reservation in Northern Arizona. She’s currently an active duty Marine serving in San Diego, California.
- What are some of the biggest challenges growing up that shaped your life as an adult?
“Some of the biggest challenges that shaped my life growing up were… first my mother dying. She was a single parent and was everything for my sister and I. She passed away when I was 8 years old, she was 32 years old. I was forced to grow up immediately and struggled to understand emotions that many people don’t experience until adulthood. This experience helped to define my independence, from a very young age I was alone and had to figure things out for myself.”
- Who is or what the most influential people in your life?
“I grew up living in what most would consider poor or in poverty. My grandparents adopted my sister and I after my mother’s death. We didn’t have running water or electricity. I didn’t get to experience this luxury until I was 15 years old and living in Phoenix. However, I never considered myself poor because I was always loved. I may have required “tough love” at times but it was always in my best interest. Many people believe that material things define love, but here living with my grandparents and my two uncles, we defied those thoughts and beliefs. The love was the homemade meals, the time learning to sew and crochet with my grandmother, and just sitting listening to the stories my grandfather told about our people [the Hopi].”
“I moved to Phoenix for High School and found myself living with a very abusive aunt and uncle (who I shall not name). It was a new area, a new lifestyle, a new school, and new people. I was witness to my sister being severely abused. I knew it was only a matter of time before it was my turn. My sister and I were treated like second class citizens in a home that my grandparents believed would surround us with love and make our lives easier. This is where I met Deborah and Sandra. They both became very special women to me and my second mothers. Deborah and Sandra both have huge hearts and cared my myself in times when I had no one else and welcomed me into their homes when I had no where else to go. From these two women I learned that “love knows no boundaries” and “blood does not make a family.” The love they showed me during times of need I only hope my children can understand and someday show to others.”
“I believe that everyone that I have met on my journey through life has been a major influence on me, as I would not be the person I am today without their influence whether good or bad. I know it sounds so cliche, but it is so very true. Some change you only for a fleeting moment and others change you for a lifetime.”
- What motivated you to serve in the military?
“From a very early age I was motivated to serve in the military. It was never really a question of if I would or not, I knew that I was going to. My grandfather and my Uncle Roderick served in the Navy. I looked up to them with admiration. My plan was always to serve in the Navy; however, once in High School a close friend talked me into joining the Marine Corps instead. From there… well here I am.”
- What’s your advice for young men and women interested in serving in the military?
“My advice for young adults that would like to serve… be passionate about what you do, you are the only person that truly limits yourself. Don’t let the unknown or your fears define who you are.”
- What do you want your legacy to be for your children?
“What I would like my children to know… I don’t see what I have as a legacy but I would love for them to understand that I made a ton of mistakes and so will they, but regardless they are always loved and life is really what they make of it. Sometimes you have to forgive yourself over and over again for doing everything wrong, but that’s ok.”
Do you know a woman of strength? Nominate her to be featured in our blog. Send us her name, e-mail, and tell us why YOU would love to see her story featured with our community. Just e-mail us at hello@kallieshoes.com.
XX
~The Kallie Shoes team ❤
Help us DONATE shoes to women in shelters…
Tis the season!
If you’ve never heard of Kallie Shoes, then you probably don’t know that for every pair of shoes sold, we donate one to women in US shelters. Kallie Shoes is a Not-Just-For-Profit-Company, and while we want to continue to be successful, our company also strives to make a difference in our society. How? We donate a percentage of our profits to wounded veterans of the Semper Fi Fund, and we also donate free pairs of shoes to women in shelters here in the United States. So, why not help Kallie Shoes achieve its mission to donate an extra 40 pairs of shoes this holiday season? The winter is fast approaching, and we’re hoping to help some of these ladies stay warm with winter shoes. You can help us achieve our mission by shopping at www.kallieshoes.com.
In return for your generosity, we will give you a 15% OFF on this purchase + FREE shipping. Just enter the code “WINTER” at checkout, the discount will be applied. Gift certificates are available. This offer is valid for the rest of 2015.
Every purchase counts
My friendship with a homeless veteran- A forgotten human of the USA.
It was the 4th of July timeframe when my two daughters (ages 3 and 8) were driving around and we met a new friend. Our friend’s name is Mr. John, and he is a homeless Army veteran. He was pushing his shopping cart on a busy road by our house. It was the the 4th of July weekend, and his cart was decorated with 5 American flags. Taking statistics into consideration, and the five American flags, I decided to stop the car and ask him if he was a veteran. Mr. John answered “yes ma’am.”
We started talking, and he told me a bit about him. I was coming from the grocery store, and I offered to give him food but he politely declined. We talked about his family, his time when he was drafted and served in the Army. I asked probably 10 times if there was any way for us to help him but his answer was the same “no ma’am I’m positive, God always provides.”
I’ve prayed for him since I met him because it bothers me so much that veterans live under those conditions. It bothers me so much that our veterans have given so much for us, and many are forgotten. Many veterans struggle to make it on a daily basis, many feel so disappointed in the system that they prefer to live under the same circumstances as Mr. John.
Mr. John’s decorated shopping cart.
My daughters and I have continued to see him from time to time, sometimes we drive around looking for him to see if he needs anything. However, when we get to see him and talk to him; his answer is always the same “I am fine, God always provides.” Mr. John is now someone my daughters and I look forward seeing, my girls don’t hesitate to say hi and they often ask about him. When I’ve asked what my family and I can do for him, he’s said “just be my friend, and pray for me, that’s all you can do.” I am sharing this story in hopes that maybe one day you will be a friend to someone like Mr. John, someone who fought for our freedom, for our country, a country where his face and story goes unnoticed.
As we fast approach the holidays, please take a few minutes or seconds to think and/or pray for our veterans, here at home and abroad.
XX
-N
Buy to Give- #Youbuyonewegiveone
How important is it to give back this holiday season? I don’t know about you, but getting ready for Thanksgiving brings a wonderful sense of gratitude and peace because I have so much to be thankful for. One of the things that makes me feel so grateful is making a difference in the lives of others. As some of you know, Kallie Shoes adopted the “Not-Just-For-Profit” model since day 1. Our company’s profits benefit wounded veterans of the Semper Fi Fund, and as of January 1st, 2015 we donate a FREE pair of shoes to women in shelters in the USA for every pair sold. Our company is also PETA Approved Vegan; in fact, we are featured in PETA’s approved fashion list. Check it out here!
In order to carry out our mission, we need help from our customers. How can you help? It’s easy!
* By purchasing a pair of shoes from www.kallieshoes.com ,you help us donate a FREE pair of shoes to women in need in the USA.
* You can also help us by telling your family, friends, and entire communities about us! Share our social media pages with them.
*Share this blog post.
*By Becoming a Brand Ambassador or Distributor…More Info HERE.
*By becoming a subscriber and sharing our e-mails with your communities.
The Kallie Shoes idea started in my own tiny laundry room when we were stationed in South Carolina, which I used as inventory room for a couple of months. My family and I are now stationed on Long Island, NY, and as our company continues to grow, we need your help to share our social mission!
I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving, and let’s start the last month of 2015 with a big smile, a sense of gratitude and NEW SHOES!
P.S Don’t forget shoes make great Christmas presents! Gift certificates are also available at Kallieshoes.com.
XX
-N
Who/Where/Why?
Hello everyone!
We’ve been in business for over a year, and thanks to a question we received, we realized we never disclosed more information about who makes our shoes and where they are made.
As some of you know, our shoes are handcrafted in Mexico. Why Mexico? I am Mexican-American, and I wanted to find a way to contribute to both economies somehow. However, it is our ultimate goal to have our shoes made in the USA in the future. Our shoes are manufactured in two small shops in Mexico; one is in Guadalajara and one is in Mexico City. Both shops are properly registered with all local and federal government agencies to hire personnel, manufacture the products, and employees are compensated according to the Secretariat of Labor and Social Welfare, Mexico. This organization supervises the implementation of labor regulations, and it ensures companies adhere these regulations. Both shops are family owned.
In order for both businesses to export to the United States under NAFTA, extensive paperwork must be filled out, products must undergo an inspection, export/import paperwork must be completed. Furthermore, our shoes also go through another inspection once they reach the USA border, and it can take hours and sometimes day before the product is liberated to the shipping carrier.
Who makes our shoes? Our shoes are made by a group of talented artisans. Our original mission was to have our shoes made by women for women. However, as our company continues to grow and expand to wholesale and distribution operations to the UK and Latin America, we understand that skilled labor from men and women will be needed to grow our company and brand presence. It is our sincere hope that our company continues to create fair and ethical jobs for talented individuals who contribute to our brand here at home and abroad.
How do we monitor our production facilities? The manufacturing shops are properly equipped with emergency exits, proper work space, and employees are treated with dignity and respect. Their work hours consist of Monday through Friday, 40 hours a week. Any type of businesses that is properly established in Mexico must undergo an inspection to ensure the work area is suitable for the employees. Also, quarterly inspections happen at both shops to ensure the continue to follow ethical businesses practices. Our company does not support the employment of children or sweatshops in any possible way.
As part of our social mission, Kallie Shoes does not use leather or any animal products in the manufacturing of our shoes. We are currently PETA Approved Vegan. We also donate 10% of our profits to wounded veterans from the Semper Fi Fund.
Make it a great day!
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