Q: How are Dani King shoes different from everything else on the market?
King: I was inspired to create this brand based on my own experience shopping for shoes. These shoes are meticulously designed with the unique needs of larger feet in mind. Unlike many brands that treat extended sizes as an afterthought, Dani King places it at the forefront of our design philosophy and brand identity. Our upcoming collection features increased arch support, reinforced heels, higher-volume toe boxes, and varying widths to ensure an optimal fit. I want to create a space where women can shop with confidence and peace of mind, knowing they can find styles they love in their size.
When will Dani King shoes be available on the market?
I’m currently finishing our first round of prototyping and our first shoes will hit the market in fall 2024. The Dani King debut collection will feature four made-to-order styles, including a boot, heel, kitten pump, and sandal. To learn more and join the waitlist to be notified when the collection drops, please visit our website: danikingshoes.com.
What is considered “plus-size” when it comes to women’s shoes?
While there isn’t an official definition of “plus-size” when it comes to shoes, a line is vaguely drawn at size 10 or 11. Typically brick-and-mortar stores don’t carry anything larger than a 10, and while 11s can more easily be found online, anything above 11 is very difficult to find.
When I first founded the company, I branded Dani King as a “plus-size” brand but this issue affects women of all shapes and sizes, now more accurately, our shoes are labeled as “extended sizes.” In the cultural zeitgeist, “plus-size” refers to overall body size and composition rather than strictly meaning above the traditional size range.
Who or what is your competition?
Currently, there aren’t any companies that specialize in large women’s shoes. There isn’t anyone who dominates this space and brands that do carry extended sizes are few and far between.
Why aren’t existing brands just extending their own shoe sizes, similar to how some brands are extending clothing sizes?
Creating high-quality extended-size shoes is not as simple as scaling up existing designs, it’s a different process with a unique set of challenges that requires additional thought and work. Creating shoes that not only look great but are comfortable and support larger bodies requires superior materials and craftsmanship to provide support and durability. Special adjustments must be made to elements like heel height, sole thickness, and toe shape for aesthetics and functionality. Additionally, comfort features like extra cushioning and arch support are added to accommodate weight and pressure distribution.
Do you have any investors?
So far, I have bootstrapped the company through savings and grant money. I will be opening a small pre-seed round to expedite growth in 2025.
You say these will be “fashion forward” shoes. How much do you plan to charge for a pair, on average?
Given that Dani King shoes are handcrafted, artisanal-made shoes with the highest standard of quality and comfort, our initial launch will have shoes and boots that range from $200-$400.
Where are Dani King shoes made?
Dani King shoes are manufactured in Spain and I’m working with a top-notch developer who has worked with icons of the industry, such as Stuart Weitzman. I chose Spain for its deep history of craftsmanship and exquisite leather goods. [King declined to identify this developer.]
What challenges do you have, and how do you plan to overcome them?
Like most startups, funding is a challenge. However, being bootstrapped has allowed me to remain small, nimble, and quick to iterate based on my customer’s feedback. While cash has been a constraint thus far in our ability to grow, I am confident in our ability to grow and scale through cash flow and future funding opportunities.
What are your yearlong goals? What about five-year goals?
My yearlong goals are to hit the market in fall 2024 and get as many shoes to as many people as possible. This first year is a critical period of learning and course correction. Consumer feedback is crucial and my goal is to see Dani Kings on 1,000 women’s feet, and continually learn from them about how to make my products better.
Five years from now, my goal is to be the leader in the extended-size shoe space and see my products placed on shelves of retailers like Nordstrom and Bloomingdales in addition to a strong online commerce presence.
The Boston Globe’s weekly Ocean State Innovators column features a Q&A with Rhode Island innovators who are starting new businesses and nonprofits, conducting groundbreaking research, and reshaping the state’s economy. Send tips and suggestions to reporter Alexa Gagosz at alexa.gagosz@globe.com.
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