Case history insights to “SoleMates™”, concept to marketplace

SoleMates – A Success Story

Sole Mates is a success story by two young ladies focused on a problem indigenous to ladies’ high heel shoes. In 2008 Becca & Monica were sitting next to each other at Columbia Business School. When it came time to write a business plan in one of their classes, Becca shared her long guarded idea to create a product for high heels to protect them and prevent them from sinking into the grass. Monica, then in her mid-twenties was in the throws of wedding-fever. She was averaging ten to fifteen weddings a year and since at least half of them were taking place outside, she was very aware of the hazards that had befallen her shoes. The sensation of sinking into the grass – the feeling of helplessness as the heel ripped through the earth and became dirt encrusted was among her biggest annoyances.
Relating immediately to Becca’s frustration, the two friends set out to create a product that would finally put an end to this costly and distracting problem. And so was born the SoleMates High Heeler®!
Their dream became a reality in the summer of 2008 when they launched their website and began to sell the product in one color and one size. As demand grew, and customer feedback became more dynamic, Becca & Monica rolled out new colors and new sizes. They didn’t want anyone to have to ruin their shoes or lose their balance when in high heels.

Monica Ferguson, Co-founder

Monica Ferguson graduated from Georgetown University in May of 2000 with a degree in Finance. She spent several years at Goldman Sachs working in various sales and trading roles in New York. Upon graduating from Columbia Business School in May of 2007, she returned to Goldman before resigning in 2008 to launch SoleMates.

Becca Brown, Co-founder

Becca Brown graduated from Harvard College in June of 2000 with a degree in English. She spent six years at Goldman Sachs working in both the New York and London offices in various management and internal consulting roles. In May of 2007, she graduated from Columbia Business School and briefly returned to Goldman before resigning in 2008 to launch SoleMates.

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