Shoe consultancy for start-ups
Leading your new shoe brand to success
Launching a shoe brand?
Every shoe brand start-up has its own set of challenges. Funding issues, a lack of market knowledge and trying to build relationships with manufacturers and suppliers from scratch are just some of the common barriers.
If you are looking to avoid costly mistakes, or you have invested funds that haven’t paid off, you are in the right place.
Turning your plans into reality
If you had a crystal ball I am sure you would be hoping to see your shoe brand in the shop windows of retailers around the world. Footwear industry success comes with a well-planned strategy, detailed research and industry connections. I help start-ups launch shoe brands, taking them from concept to market.
Whilst my specialist knowledge is the UK market, I help businesses launch into any market from wherever they are based in the world.
If you are a self-starter who wants a cost effective way to learn, discover the “How to start a shoe brand online course”.
Your shortcut to success
Working with me will give you a huge head start on your journey to success. Let me help you take your shoe brand to market effectively, saving you time and money.
I work one to one with a limited number of clients, so you are guaranteed my utmost attention. I know just how tough it can be, so rest assured you will find me friendly and sympathetic to the journey you are on.
A fresh perspective may be just what you need to get your shoe brand out of the starting blocks.
✓ A footwear expert on your team
✓ Shoe brand strategy planning & goal setting
✓ Product marketing and branding advice
✓ Access to my footwear industry connections (including manufacturers, suppliers and more)
✓ Receive a set of unique business tools and templates to save you time and help you work smarter
✓ Support and guidance at every step (by Zoom/Skype, and email)
One-to-one start-up consultancy from GBP £3,000
Book your FREE “Shortcut To Success” consultation
After deciding to launch a footwear brand in early 2020, I spent a month or two toiling aimlessly, unsure of what to focus on first. Thankfully I found and connected with Susannah for 1:1 consulting support in the spring of 2020. She helped take me from initial concept to successfully launching my brand, Tofers, via a Kickstarter campaign. Key areas of support included helping me identify my market, referring me to my designer and footwear agent, identifying my unique differentiators and more. More than anything, I valued having someone with expertise in what was a totally opaque industry to help answer every and any question I had along the way. Now that my feet are under me, I’ve taken off the training wheels and am running things independently with confidence thanks to the advice, guidance, and support Susannah provided me. If you’re looking for someone to help you get off the ground in the footwear world, I highly recommend her services. Thanks for everything Susannah!
Tom Tofield Founder | Tofers
Susannah was brilliant to work with! She was an invaluable support during the early days of our shoe and brand development. From market research to sample production Susannah gave tons of smart, actionable advice to help create the best possible product. Overall an amazing person to have on your team when starting a shoe brand. I look forward to working with her again in the future.
Alastair M. Entrepreneur
Where to start … as there are so many positive aspects to working with Susannah! She was instrumental in helping our new shoe brand articulate our vision into measurable goals that were attained through continued interaction with her via our bi-monthly zoom calls. These calls were a mixture of fact-finding, industry insights, and tactical recommendations that helped propel our startup to the growth targets we set forth at the beginning of the engagement with her. I would highly recommend Susannah for any shoe company looking to gain an achievable advantage in your target market. Thank you again Susannah!
Dustin Skundrick Chief Executive Officer | Fly Soul
[after Susannah connected me with shoe designers] I was planning to write you and mention how wonderful my conversations have been thus far with each of the designers, and how they each speak very highly of you. I’m so glad we chose to move forward with you for consulting work – I knew I made the right choice!
Johnnie Entrepreneur
Being new to the industry, I needed help with developing the product and navigating the industry. However, I quickly realised that Susannah’s skill set and knowledge extends way beyond those two aspects. She was able to advise on branding, marketing, client outreach, leveraging social networking (in very creative ways!)…..basically all aspects of starting/running a footwear brand! She was also able to reach into her network for additional advice and support where needed. I found Susannah to be very responsive to my needs and was able to work to my strengths and also help address my weaknesses. I am confident that investing in Susannah will yield great returns in the future!
Kishan B. Entrepreneur
Susannah has great knowledge of the footwear industry having lived and breathed shoes from a young age. I recently invited her to speak as an expert speaker as part of our ‘small business support webinar series’ for Ethical Brand Directory – and we received wonderful feedback. Susannah has a great speaker presence online (I’ve also seen her present live at a Pure London Trade show) and her charming nature comes across wonderfully. I definitely recommend Susannah for any speaking engagement, as well as those who want to work with a consultant and get started with a sustainable footwear brand.
Roberta Lee Founder | Ethical Brand Directory
Susannah’s approach was not only focused, but intuitive too. Gauging my business needs and the way I operate and working closely to find ways to go forward in my own way. Her knowledge base was helpful and she was happy to share this in our sessions. But remember, she wants you to be proactive! Thanks Susannah, I’ll certainly be back soon.
Milly J (Emily Jupp) Founding Artist/Designer | Milly J Shoes
Earlier this year I had the pleasure of engaging Susannah to co-curate the inaugural Made-to-Order Luxury Affair. I was already familiar with her work as The Shoe Consultant. Susannah is highly regarded in the footwear industry and working alongside her to bring our event into existence, left me in no doubt that Susannah was the perfect choice! Susannah came on board and hit the ground running. She immediately acquired an in depth understanding of made to order fashion. In curating, her care and attention to detail was faultless, her structured systematic approach to scoping out and delivering tasks was both concise and timely. Susannah’s commitment to ensuring no effort was spared no stone unturned is the reason why she will remain my first choice to work with curating future events. Thank you Susannah.
Atiti Izogie Designer | Eyato London
Susannah was very lovely to work with. Being a new brand she guided me with some key things which helped reassure my direction before launch. She is great with knowing what is going on when it comes to new processes and upcoming seminars which can further advance your skill sets as a business. I would definitely recommend her to anyone in the beginning stages of their business as she would be a good support to help you focus on a clear direction and guide your brand into the starting phases.
Andrea Luis Footwear designer and owner | Andrea Lorenzo
I interviewed Susannah recently for my podcast, Fashion Originators. What particularly struck me about Susannah was her drive, passion and in-depth shoe industry knowledge. I have met a lot of people in fashion, yet I have never met someone with such a clear love for their industry niche. From our conversation, I gained new and practical insights, resulting in a fascinating (but fun) podcast episode.
Stephanie Irwin Host | Fashion Originators Podcast
Working with Susannah as I prepare for the launch of my brand has been one of the wisest decisions I made this year. She’s incredibly knowledgeable about the industry, both at home and abroad. She brings warmth and personality to her role and has given me plenty of sage advice along the way. I can’t over-emphasise how useful it’s been to have someone with her expertise just a phone call or email away. Someone with whom I can brainstorm and get objective opinions, sometimes just reassurance that everything is on the right track. I can’t recommend her enough. She’s a great resource to have in your corner.
Shola Asante Founder/Director | Sante + Wade
I was so fortunate to have found Susannah Davda. Her expert guidance and seasoned judgements have ushered me through the rough early stages of company development. She is clearly focused on her clients’ challenges and able to direct them accordingly with great wit!! She understands how to navigate through this tricky industry and has the contacts and wherewithal to do so. I look forward to continuing my work with Susannah as she brings out the best in my professional abilities.