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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor, Aurora Shoe Company.
In the words of owner David:
"The Aurora Shoe Company was founded on the idea that a good pair of shoes should be made well and fit comfortably. We use American made materials and make all of our shoes in house and by hand. Assembled organically, using simple cuts of leather and minimal stitching, our shoes mold to their owners’ feet the way that only natural materials and careful design can. After 20 years of shoe making, we have finally made our products available online. You can order our shoes and learn more about our hand made process and locally sourced materials at www.aurorashoeco.com."
"We like to think of our blog as a space that bridges the gap between our global customers and our small town shop. Visit the blog to meet our staff, to learn more about the materials we work with, and to see where our shoes are taking people: aurorashoeco.blogspot.com"
SouleMama: Tell us about your background. What path led you to where you are today?
David: My educational background in Mechanical Engineering led me to a corporate job in a city far from home that was financially rewarding but left me feeling isolated and unsatisfied. I married my high school sweetheart, Andrea, and when it was time to start a family we knew there was only one place we wanted to be: home. We returned to the town where we grew up and I purchased the small shoe company about a mile from my parents' house. My days now are just as full as they were before our move, but the work that I do is so much more fulfilling. I love working with my hands and seeing the results of my hard work in a more authentic way.
SouleMama: What is your favorite part of your job? And the most challenging?
David: I really enjoy the contact I have with our customers. Here at the shop I love introducing newcomers to our shoes and helping them find the right fit. Our non-local customers are also great to work with. I'm constantly getting the nicest letters and emails from people who have loved our shoes since the company started in the early '90s and who are very excited to be finding us again through the internet or a friend. It's amazing how long some of these people have owned and loved the same pair of shoes. Now that we offer re-soling services, we're really getting to see how loyal our customers have become. In a business that has made it almost 20 years based almost entirely on word-of-mouth advertising, this loyalty means a lot.
My biggest (and most enjoyable) challenge lately is figuring out how to gently expand the business in a way that allows us to stay true to the Company's roots. We are enjoying the support of the blogging community and feel like we've found a good match for our small time operation.
SouleMama: Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?
David: I love the hand written sign that has been in our shop forever. It says, "There is no economic substitute for quality". Today this rings more true than ever. We vote with our dollars and I'm proud to make shoes that are certainly not the cheapest you can find, but I'm confident that they are some of the best.
For today's giveaway, Aurora Shoe Company is generously offering the following gift to one lucky winner:
We're excited to be giving away one pair of shoes, any style, any color.
The beauty of our handmade shoes is that they're built to fit your feet and we're happy to work with you to get the sizing just right.
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Thank you to Aurora Shoe Company!
To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Sunday by 8am EST. Comments closed! Winner will be announced by end of day on Monday.
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