Stepping out on her own with trendy, comfortable shoes
Is it possible to own a pair of shoes that are trendy and really comfortable at the same time? Absolutely, according to a Naperville businesswoman.
Karen Hatcher, who formerly worked as a shoe buyer for an online and catalog business, recently opened My Left Foot at 232 S. Washington St., across from the Mongolian Grill.
She said it is an effort to bring a "little fashion" to the arena of comfortable shoes. Hatcher said she offers hundreds of shoes designed for the active person.
She carries both men's and women's styles. The entrepreneur said she features more for women as they tend to buy more shoes.
"Comfort shoes with an attitude" is the slogan at the downtown shop. "I have shoes designed to keep people moving," said Hatcher, 53, who opened her shop on Nov. 16.
The entrepreneur added that she carries shoes for the woman who wants to get on the train in Naperville, head to Chicago's Union Station and then walk to dinner.
The shoes range in price from $70 to $250. She carries a variety of women's lines, including Dansko, Naot, Merrell, Finn Comfort, El Naura Lisa, Taos, MBT and Arcopedico.
Prior to launching the business she worked as a footwear buyer for Herrington Catalog.
She said she always wanted to run her own business. When she was young, she dreamed of going into business with her father, who owns an electronics distributorship. Her attraction toward comfortable shoes started when her father purchased a pair of Clark walking shoes while she was in high school.
Hatcher recalls saving her money to buy a pair of comfortable Wallaby shoes. Hatcher and her husband, Robert, are raising their children in Clarendon Hills.
The entrepreneur says her store is all about fashion and style. She said many women have shoes in their closet that they know they can only wear for a short time.
"My customer wants to look good and be comfortable," she said. It's also important for Hatcher, who grew up just outside New York City, to spend time properly measuring and fitting her customers.
The shop is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call (630) 637-1111.
Professional designations: The National Kitchen and Bath Association recently awarded four Drury Design team members with professional industry designations. Gail Drury, president of Drury Design Kitchen & Bath Studio, achieved the highest certification, CMKBD certified master kitchen and bath designer.
The other team members to earn certifications include: Gladys Schanstra, certified kitchen designer; Janice Teague, certified bath designer; and Megan Rebman, associate kitchen and bath designer.
Located at 512 N. Main St. in Glen Ellyn, Drury founded the company in 1987.