KATHRYN JACKSON
Of all the things that could happen and do happen to your coveted expensive pumps, there is probably nothing worse than scraped or scuffed soles on your Manolo Blahnik’s, Jimmy Choo’s, Gucci’s, Louboutin’s or Giuseppe Zanotti—well, except for the heel to break. Good news! Your lamentations have been heard and Kathryn Jackson, founder of Protect Your Pumps, is stepping up to the rescue. –Tony Binns
How did the concept of your product, “Protect Your Pumps” develop?
I was working as a sales associate at Neiman Marcus in Chicago where I had the great opportunity of learning and really studying the luxury shoe industry. One thing I noticed was that many of our customers were spending $300 plus dollars on a pair of shoes and the soles were getting damaged very quickly. However, the best solution we were able to offer them was to send their shoes out to a repair shop to get re-soled. I thought, wow there should be an easier alternative for women to protect their [shoe] soles without having to go and get them re-soled. I started doing my research. I knew that I wanted the material to be transparent so it didn’t cover the original sole and easy to remove and apply, at that moment Protect Your Pumps was born.
How many pairs of shoes do you have?
More than fifty. I love high heels and they comprise about 80% of my shoe closet, but I also love a good quality flat shoe.
How long does the product typically last?
You can get four-to-six wears, some people get more; some get less, it just depends. If you are in New York and walking blocks and blocks you are probably going to want to change them after a few wears, but if you are just going to dinner, walking to the car, you can get up to 10 wears with one pair.
And pricing?
One pair is $10.00; three pairs are $20.00 and we just introduced 10 pairs—
because our customers were asking for more quantity, at $60.00.
Have you been asked to partner with some of the luxury stores and brands?
Not yet, but we are working on it. We are in some smaller boutiques, but we’re definitely trying to get into the bigger, larger stores—Nordstrom’s and Neiman’s, because I think it is a good add-on a check out. That is when people are most likely to think about protecting their shoes when they just bought them.
What advice would you give other budding female entrepreneurs?
I would say first, the biggest step is just doing it, actually taking that leap of faith. If you have an idea, don’t sit on it; act on it. We are capable of more than we give ourselves credit for sometimes. So be sure to stay positive and keep a good circle around of people who believe in you.
For more information: protectyourpumps.com
Facebook: Protect Your Pumps
Instagram: Protect Your Pumps
Twitter: Protect_Your Pumps
