Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Scott.
Hi Angela, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always had a fascination with footwear. Shoes have been my unique identifiers, a way for me to make a statement. From my favorite pair of Kangaroos when I was a child to checkerboard Vans, Nike Cortez, and Doc Martens steel-toe [boots] when I was a teen and then buying my first pair of Prada shoes as a gift to empower myself after receiving a raise. There is something so powerful in wearing a pair of shoes that makes you feel confident and bold. After I graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara I worked at a construction company. I was one of the only females in an all-male crew 99 percent of the time. I really got an understanding of what it means to “keep up with the boys.” I used to tell myself that I had to dress a certain way to be taken seriously—you know, the pencil skirts, the high heels, and most of the time it was me running behind these groups of men on job sites trying to look professional and keep it all together—it felt a little insane. I wanted to change this concept of women running in high heels behind men. A woman can be confident, sexy and intelligent in comfortable shoes. I started The Office of Angela Scott to offer women shoes that were equal parts beauty and function—shoes that made them feel and stand confident while they achieve incredible things in their careers; shoes that allowed them to stop running to keep up but rather walk in stride with their male colleagues.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but I like off-roading. No kidding, honestly the challenges are part of the process. I think it’s important to have roadblocks because it builds character and allows you to understand how to perform better in the future. We bootstrapped the company, so it was a little crazy in the beginning. The first two years, it was literally just me—I would work on packing, shipping, labeling, accounting, design development, marketing and photography. Then, eventually, I hired an intern who later became an employee. We ran the company, just the two of us, until a little less than a year ago. I don’t think you realize how much you can accomplish until you have to. One of the struggles along the way was in production. Understanding the production process and knowing that it is never perfect took some time to get used to. I strive so hard to have the most beautifully crafted and impeccably finished product for the women who buy my shoes, but that isn’t always in my hands. From quality issues to material flaws and production delays, these roadblocks can definitely make me lose several nights’ sleep. But it was always what made me a better businesswoman and in turn built such a beautiful relationship between myself and my factory, they are like a second family to me.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I like to call myself a “working designer” which translates to designer, CEO and Creative Director. I am most proud of being a female-funded, owned and operated brand dedicated to supporting women through their career and life achievements. The women’s footwear industry is all about sexualizing women. Instead of sexualizing them, I wanted to give women strength and confidence. There’s nothing more beautiful than a woman’s strength, and we need to celebrate that. Our shoes are a small part in giving women the confidence to stand tall. What sets us apart is not only our unique designs but by working with family-owned factories that specialize in a time-honored craftsmanship called Goodyear welt construction, we preserve the traditions of the past to help create products of unparalleled excellence that will last a lifetime.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The sunshine. Who can complain about 60 degrees weather year round. Maybe I miss a snow day here or there, but really no complaints.
Pricing:
- Shoes are priced $200-$795
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: theofficeofangelascott.com
- Instagram: officeofangelascott
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficeofAngelaScott
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm2yXPIl5TRcKwMehJlnyvw
Image Credits:
Trevor Paulhus
