Joni Marshall Floyd and Cindy Marshall, founders of Shuzsociety

When I first began researching the Internet to find out if there was a need for a site like Shoebiznes, I came across this cool and fun site called Shuzsociety. It stood out among the rest and now that I have had the opportunity to learn a little more from the founders of the site, I understand why. Their background’s  are as shoe lovers from the corporate world,  however, fellow team members, Stephanie Lewis and Frances Lawrence are so their perspective is not totally consumer driven, but also keeps industry buyers and boutique owners  in mind. It’s a great opportunity for designers at all different levels to get their products in front of many eyes.  To this point, the site was reintroduced to me by my friend Dan Mauney, who is a partner of a shoe boutique in Charlotte, NC.  He sent me a couple of messages encouraging me to check out the site. He often visits the site so he can scout cool brands for his store.  So finally,  I decided to take it a step further and reach out to the founders Joni  Marshall Floyd and Cindy Marshall and loved when I heard their story.

Cindy and Joni were ready to step away from  corporate world and decided that they wanted to pursue their dream of becoming  “independent business women”. They had a passion for  shoes and  wanted to share it with the world and the best part about them is they are sister-in-laws who came up with the idea at an Aerosmith concert! Ha! Awesome. J There is a lot more to the story in between that concert and today, but the main thing is these ladies took an idea, followed their passion and now have a successful business. I hope I am also this fortunate, and I certainly know who I will reach out to for advice!! You can read the entire story on their website www.shuzsociety.com by clinking on the about us tab.

Click HERE!

So what exactly is Shuzsociety all about? Well the site offers a variety of categories with fun information and the ability to preview amazing shoes. They are an online publication for “those of us with sole addiction.” Love it!

Here is a list of all that the site features:

Main Features

• “Fab Friday” Designer Shoe Giveaway
• Designer spotlights – a Rolling Stone approach to profiling footwear designer to create a connection between the designer and the consumer.
• Shuzscopes – shoe-inspired monthly horoscopes
• Featured trends and styles with click-to-purchase links to our retail partners
• Hot deals on footwear
• “things we love” .. products and services that footwear lovers need to know about
• Celebrity sightings … and their shoes, of course!
• shuznews covering the footwear industry and shoe-related events
• “heart & sole” matters ranging from relationship advice based on shoes (yes, you heard correctly) and philanthropy
• Videos showcasing designers-like the one below!

Fab Friday Designer Shoe Giveaway Facts:

• shuzsociety.com’s successful “fab friday” Designer Shoe Giveaway has made 77 shoe lovers VERY happy since launching the promo in September 2007. 

• How it works … For a very reasonable fee, designer’s participate by selecting a style they wish to provide for the giveaway.  The shoe is featured on the shuzsociety.com homepage for at least one to two weeks.  shuzsociety “hooked” members (it’s free to sign-up) simply login and rate the “fab friday” shoe and they are eligible to win.  The designer benefits from the homepage exposure, “rating” feedback from members on the shoe and the click-to-purchase link to either their e-commerce site or one of their online retailers

• Highest retail value per shoes given away were a pair of Marc Jacobs Swarovski beaded satin skimmers valued at $1,800, Swarovski platform heels from Rene Caovilla valued at $1,195 and  red satin mules with hand-place Swarovski crystals signed by Vanessa Noel and a pair of Behnaz Kanani calf and nubuck platform heels, both valued at $1,100

• Designers love the exposure they receive with the “fab friday” promo, which is why a number of designers have participated in several “fab friday” giveaways since the inception of the promotion.  Interesting ways designers have utilized the “fab friday” giveaway to gain brand exposure include:
  >  The launch of new brands and new style concepts for their brand.
  >  Lucchese’s participation in May, 2008, to promote their “Charlie 1 Horse” brand by participating in three straight weeks of “fab friday” giving away three pairs of boots.
  >  Shannon Britt’s one-of-a-kind shoes designed and named after each of the Sex In the City stars during the launch of “Sex In the City, the movie”.  Each Friday in June, 2008, “Charlotte”, “Miranda”, “Samantha” and “Carrie” made their way into some very excited shuzsociety member’s shoe closets!
  >  Seasonal and specialty styles coupled to national holidays and events, such as red shoes for Valentine’s day, wedding shoes, boots during Country Music Award months, specific styles to coincide with movie releases, pink shoes during Breast Cancer Awareness month … just to name a few

• “fab friday” winners come from all around the globe.  Winners from 31 of the 50 states in the U.S. have walked away with new designer shoes, as well as winners from Canada, Norway, Netherlands, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.

So as you can see there are so many reasons for any shoe addict to be addicted to this site. I love it!! Cindy and I have discussed ways we will partner in order to help both our sites achieve continued success. I am all about collaborating with other fabulous industry people in order to help us all! Thank you to Cindy and her team and stay tuned …