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If the Shoe Fits - Share It!

You are what you wear. If the shoe fits – share it!

 

There is a new generation of shoe addicts out there – the generation of the conscious shoe-aholics who shop with style and substance. Sickened by greedy, reckless business practices that have nearly collapsed the world economy, this generation is not defined by their love for the sling-back; this shoe shopper is defined by their shared distain for greed and need for eco-friendly shoes and style. 

 

Power in the Pumps

And, hell hath no fury like a shoe-addict scorned! Shoe shoppers are angry and armed with their pocket books, blogs and social marketing skills!  They’re looking to support companies with a conscious to match their spending power to their beliefs.  They are demanding environmentally friendly, animal friendly and sustainable shoes.  And today, they’re stepping into the market place in their power-packed pumps.  

 

Looking for Their Sole Mates

Shoe shop-aholics are looking for their “sole mates.” What they are finding are companies like TOMS Shoes.  TOMS Shoes not only sells stylish, organic slip-ons, slippers and flats – TOMS Shoes is selling what consumers want:  a way to ensure that their dollars reflect their values. The shift in the global marketplace is a shift to supporting companies that are charitable and philanthropic.

 

Buyers, like the ShoesWithSouls buyers, are supporting companies that are environmentally friendly with a social conscious; companies like TOMS Shoes, who understand that businesses can support the shoe addiction, protect the environment, enhance the quality of life for the communities they support and promote social justice.  These companies have always been the underdog, but with the social media culture thriving and guerilla viral marketing on the rise, these companies are finally getting the attention and the consumer loyalty they deserve.

 

Shopping with Style and Substance

So what does it take to win the hearts and hard-earned dollars of the conscious consumer? Well, long-gone are the days of bimbo spending (all style - no substance).

Companies like TOMS Shoes are thriving and here’s how they are doing it: They combine two goals seamlessly; making money and making a difference.  TOMS Shoes, a company that began in 2006, set out to not only launch a company selling stylish and eco-friendly shoes and vegan boots, but they also set out to launch a movement. For every hemp, organic, recycled or otherwise alternative shoe purchased on tomsshoes.com, the company will give another pair to a children in need as part of their “One for One” movement. TOMS Shoes’ “One for One” program has donated over 130,000 pairs of shoes globally to needy children and this is due to consumer conscious spending. There’s a new balance sheet that’s getting attention; it has one column for profits and one column for responsibility.

 

If the Shoe Fits – Share It

What’s more apparent than ever, is the shoe-loves power to make a difference in the marketplace.  Today, they’re packing serious ammo in the hemp boots. The internet allows everyone a medium, and the consumer conscious generation is definitely finding their voice.

 

This generation is all about charity, philanthropy, generosity and social justice and they are willing to spend with a purpose.   They’re looking for companies that offer more.  They expect their dollars to contribute to a culture that shares, gives, creates, collaborates and is engaged it the purpose of building a conscious marketplace.  With the internet, they can band together in solidarity, create trends and spread the word – globally!  The time of the vigilantly consumer has come. And just like the case of TOMS Shoes, if the shoe fits - they are going to share it!

© 2009 Shoes With Souls.