Hello

When I was in Year 7 (age 11), my best friend already knew exactly what she wanted to do in life. While we sat in the school library researching universities and career paths for her, I was completely unsure of my own future. What did I want to be? Sitting at home surrounded by a bursting wardrobe and over 300 pairs of shoes, I thought—maybe I could turn my love for footwear into something meaningful? After some Googling, I came across a course in Footwear Design and excitedly emailed my mum, telling her, "This is what I could do!"

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By Year 10, I needed to arrange work experience. Unsure of my direction, I tried both teaching and architecture. I enjoyed both experiences, but neither felt like my future.

Fast forward to Year 13, as I was applying to university to study Graphic Design. I needed one more choice to complete my application. I couldn’t find another suitable graphic design course, and my mum reminded me of that email I’d sent years earlier. So, I added Footwear Design as my fifth and final option.

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I attended various university open days and interviews. None felt like the right fit—until I visited De Montfort University in Leicester. The city and campus instantly felt like home, but doubts lingered. Would I get a place? Were my grades good enough? My portfolio barely contained any shoe designs.

Results day arrived, I logged onto the university portal with my heart racing. To my surprise, there it was: an offer to study Footwear Design at De Montfort University. I packed up and moved to Leicester to start my next adventure.

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I can still remember the classroom's smell and the excitement when I first walked in. The first year flew by, but I felt uncertain. The course was heavily fashion-focused, and I’ve never been one to follow trends—I wear what I like. While my peers had clear goals, I found myself questioning my place. Was this really the right path for me?

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Not being a quitter, I returned for Year 2. That year introduced two new classes: bespoke orthopaedic shoemaking and biomechanics, taught by industry professionals. During this time, someone close to me lost their toes to septicemia. This experience opened my eyes to the limited footwear options available for people with unique medical needs. I was also teaching gymnastics to a young girl with Down’s syndrome, and through conversations with her mother, I saw the same issue. That’s when I had my "aha" moment—I knew what I wanted to do.

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Driven by this newfound purpose, I completed my degree and went on to pursue a master’s in bespoke footwear and biomechanics, focusing on footwear for prosthetics and amputations. It wasn’t easy—many doors closed as I sought answers—but I persevered.

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After completing my master’s, I worked as a shoemaker for another company for over six years before finally starting my own business. I love what I do—collaborating with customers to create footwear that genuinely improves their lives. It’s been a challenging but incredibly fulfilling journey.