I love starting my week with a bit of inspiration! Over the past couple of years I have shared some amazing and inspiring women here on the blog in the series of Working Women. I find myself learning so much from women's personal stories of how they started their business, the least favorite part of running their business to their favorite bloggers and instagrammers they like to follow! Today I am excited to be featuring the lovely Charlotte with Charlotte Mills Bridal Shoes. I discovered Charlotte's gorgeous line of shoes soon after my wedding day and was lucky enough to feature them in a shoot I styled last year. Charlotte's shoes are playful and fun and also gorgeous and beautiful. Keep on reading to hear how Charlotte started her shoe line to what is on the horizon. And if you are looking for a pair of shoes for you big day or maybe even a night out, make sure to head over to the site!
{image by The Wedding Stylist}
When did you start your business?
I started in September 2013 and Launched the first collection in April 2014
{image by: Jonny Draper Link}
How did you get started with opening an online shop?
My friend had worked on website builds and had lots of great contacts, firstly I came up with some initial ideas and then passed these over to my amazing developer. We are constantly changing the site. Its such a vital part of the business, every few months we have meetings where we go through the site and look at ways we can improve it. A lot of work also goes on behind the scenes to make the site work for the business side of things.
What advice do you have for younger women looking to start their own business?
Do it, follow your heart! But to succeed its hard work, you need to be prepared to give it your everything. It’s the best decision I ever made and I'm doing what I truly love everyday. No more Sunday night dread, it is exciting going in to work on a Monday morning.
Also there is so much help out there, don’t be afraid to ask. My local council and the goverments start up loan initiatives have been a great support.
{image by The Wedding Stylist}
How would you describe the ideal Charlotte Mills client?
Some one who loves fashion and fun but is sentimental at heart.
{image by The Wedding Stylist}
Do you have a trademark style that you like to stock in your shop?
Our main trademark is that all our styles are hand finished with a silver sixpence and the leather sole is embossed with the phrase “Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe.” We have covered all bases. The Sixpence is also the something Old, The Something New is the shoe, the Something Blue is detailed on the insock and the Something borrowed will be inside the shoebox. Brides love this old tradition. This detailing is unique to Charlotte Mills Bridal shoes.
If we have to pick one style in particular it would be Andrea – It’s a most popular style, everyone loves the block heel and the heart detail – fun, romantic and stylish
{image by The Wedding Stylist}
What is your favourite part about running your own business?
Being creative, designing new styles is the best part of running my own business. Its amazing knowing someone will wear these shoes on one of the most important days of their lives.
What is your LEAST favourite part?
Account and the finiacial side of things – I get help.
Best moment of your career so far?
Launching the first collection at the White Gallery in April 2014. Seeing my ideas become reality. After months of hard work, the time to put the Brand out there had finally arrived. I will never forget that moment.
What is next on the horizon for Charlotte Mills that you are excited to share?
I have just returned from NY Bridal week, it was a great first show out there and we have taken on some new stockists in the US and Canada, I am really looking forward to continuing to grow the brand abroad.
Also we have just moved in to our new HQ which is still a work in progress. By January we hope to have our new studio ready which will be open for individual appointments with Brides. I am really excited about this! It will be great to meet our Brides face to face as currently we sell online and through stockists.
{Image by Sanshine Photography}
And three things about you..... Favorite place to find inspiration in London?
I love visiting Greenwich – they have amazing markets – I especially love the antiques stalls. I find London as a place really inspiring, the architecture is beautiful, its such a great mix of old and new.
Any instagram feeds/blogs that you are LOVING right now?
{image by The Wedding Stylist}
If we had asked you 20 years ago what you would be doing now, what
would it be?
I always wanted to be a shoe designer – I remember designing shoes at my Grandma’s house as a little girl.
Don't you love that Charlotte remembers sketching shoes when she was little. I wonder if she drew these AMAZING Beatrice Bow shoe that are my new shoe crush! From her new line, with a metallic heel and a sparkly bow! LOVE!
Thank you Charlotte for sharing your gorgeous business with us! xoxo Becca
If you enjoyed this post, head over to the other Working Women features to read about these ladies:
We had a lot of last minute decorations to add, and the staff was eager and willing to help. The food at the lofty spaces was amazing. They have extremely unique and tasty food. Also this place has great views and beautiful big rooms.
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