I am so happy to have made such a wonderful connection with Sotiria Krikelis, the owner of Relax Missy.  Relax Missy is a wonderful alternative to the flip flop.  This neat, compact foldable shoe will rescue you when heels start to hurt your feet.

When was Relax Missy founded?

Originally, I incorporated my business back in November 2007.  The idea of Relax Missy came to me way back when in 2005, but it was just that, an idea.

What gave you the idea or spark to create Relax Missy?

The idea came in 2005 on a night out in Las Vegas with my girlfriends.  We were headed to Body English nightclub and I knew the moment I placed my heels on they were going to be trouble.  Normally, I never, ever wear flip flops, but this was an exception.  I had to substitute my handbag for a larger one to place ugly flips flops inside.  This was when I knew there had to be something out there for this situation, but there wasn’t!

What obstacles or challenges have you faced on your journey?

The main challenge for me, honestly, was production of Relax Missy.  I spent so much time and energy in perfecting my product because in order for me to feel confident marketing it, I needed to love it and crave it.

Finding a manufacturer in the US, I thought would be easy and simple.  I went on to a few websites and got phone numbers, but those led me nowhere.  So, I went back to the drawing board, aka my laptop, to find more contacts.  Each time I called or emailed, I had no luck.  I spent six months looking for manufacturers in the US and it wasn’t up until one apparel factory told me to look into China that I really started researching overseas production.  I found that emailing the suppliers representatives was the best way and then we moved onto Skype webcam meetings.  If I knew that communicating with a factory was as simple as emailing them and introducing myself, I would have done this a long time ago.  It was a learning process and now I know for the future.

What’s next for the Relax Missy? New designs? New color? New styles?

Currently, I’m focused on spreading the word and generating brand awareness. My ultimate goal is to land a department store and I’m working on that as well as opening boutique retail accounts. Of course new styles and designs are going to come along.  I have plans to create a bridal line, a beach line, and a summer-sandal line.  I also plan on expanding the company with other fashion fixes as well as creeping over into the handbag world. I’m a shoe and bag kind of chick!

I have so many ideas and new concepts that I want to develop and launch.  I also want to write books for women in business and start a forum based platform that will hold lectures and events for women to attend and learn how to launch their dreams.  I never want to stop!

In general, what has been the overall response from the public to your product?

Women love it.  They think it’s adorable, chic, and practical.  They love the fact I placed extra padding than normal ballet flats and they are pleasantly surprised by how great the packaging is.  Women want more styles and choices and I receive messages everyday with compliments.  I’m excited that everyone has had such a positive attitude towards Relax Missy.

Congratulations Kim Parrott!  We can’t wait to hear how you love these Relax Missy shoes!

Sign up for their newsletter at www.relaxmissy.com.  As a bonus, you’ll receive a personal discount code to use towards your next Relax Missy purchase.  You may also follow Relax Missy on Twitter and on Facebook.

Leslie Chatman is a chic thirtysomething from Dallas with a passion for jewelry.  Leslie is the owner and designer of LunaTeal Jewelry.  She also writes for the fine art of jewelry, a jewelry blog.  Follow her on Twitter: @lunateal

Tags: comfort, fashion, shoes, shopping, style, Women