Growing up, Dr. Liza Egbogah was an often-injured track-and-field athlete with a want to heal folks’s illnesses—together with her personal knee ache and plantar fasciitis. Her pursuits led her to check well being sciences on the University of Alberta after which the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto. In 2017, by then a chiropractor and osteopath, Egbogah launched Dr. Liza Shoes, a set of orthopedic excessive heels meant to right posture and alleviate joint ache. Since launching, her business has grown to incorporate loafers, sneakers and shoulder baggage, and have been worn by many various kinds of professionals who wish to feel and look good at work, together with celebrities like Kate Winslet and Priyanka Chopra.
Title: Chiropractor and founding father of Dr. Liza Shoes
Degree: Doctor of Chiropractic, Doctor of Osteopathy
Age: 42
From: Calgary
Currently lives in: Toronto
When I used to be a child, I believed I’d develop as much as be: A health care provider, however I had no thought which type. When I might see folks in ache, I might inform them that at some point I might heal them.
My favorite childhood reminiscence: Reading works from my uncle, the African creator Chinua Achebe. In one in every of his books, There Was A Country, I realized that my great-great-grandfather had been the healer in his village in Nigeria. When I began speaking about being a health care provider, my household referred to as me the golden youngster as a result of I used to be supposedly following in his footsteps. At the time, I believed that they had simply given me the nickname as a result of I had blonde hair.
The largest takeaway from my training: Learning methods to successfully do analysis. It’s essential to do your personal analysis when you’ve got questions and never merely take issues at face worth.
My first job ever was: A gross sales affiliate on the Gap once I was 15. I used to be book-smart however shy, and that job taught me methods to come out of my shell and promote. That yr, my household went to Barbados on a vacation cruise, and I stayed behind to work as a result of I feared getting laid off. My household nonetheless teases me about that, however I keep that I might not be an entrepreneur right now if not for that job.
A big problem I needed to overcome: Covid was devastating for my business. It curtailed our sourcing and weakened the Canadian greenback, and the pausing of workplace life actually impacted shoe gross sales. Last yr was nonetheless robust: A recession loomed and other people have been pulling again on spending. I’m grateful that we survived—I do know far too many companies that didn’t make it.
My most influential mentor was: My dad and mom. My dad principally paid his faculty tuition by making picket toys and promoting them on the facet of the road in Nigeria, and he ultimately grew to become an engineer. My mom was a trainer who additionally earned her MBA and real-estate license when she needed to save lots of up for a home. Their motto is: There is all the time a means.
Something that actually wants to vary in my trade is: Comfort washing: footwear with tons of cushioning that really feel good on the ft however smash posture and result in accidents. I’ve handled many individuals who developed avulsion fractures to their ankles simply from strolling on thick-soled foamy footwear that make the ft slide in unnatural methods.
The second I knew I’d made it: As a chiropractor, I opened a pop-up remedy clinic at Toronto International Film Festival, after an actor affected person of mine inspired me to do it. As it seems, a number of A-listers have been focused on remedy: George Clooney, Nicole Kidman and Idris Alba all got here to the pop-up, to call a number of. It’s a troublesome job—each actor I’ve handled has been in important bodily ache. I additionally handled the actor who performed the hunchback from Harry Potter. Unsurprisingly, he was affected by persistent again ache.
Another important second for the business was once I was on Dragon’s Den in 2021. Seeing the Dragons strut in my prototypes was unbelievable. And then Manjit Minhas ended up investing $200,000 in my firm.
Related: How to Pitch Your Start-up to Investors
One factor I used to be compelled to study the laborious means: Manufacturing was robust to nail down—I knew nothing about it. In the early days of launching Dr. Liza Shoes, I obtained many shipments with defective merchandise as a result of I hadn’t been particular sufficient in my directives. Whole shipments got here to me from Brazil within the incorrect color or with the incorrect buckles.
The factor that retains me motivated is: Seeing a shopper transfer nicely once more. Sometimes, I obtain messages from girls who inform me my footwear made their joint ache or plantar fasciitis disappear. That’s the aim of the footwear, to assist folks really feel higher whereas wanting good.
If I wasn’t doing this, I might be: A lawyer. Growing up, my lecturers and professors typically informed me I’d make lawyer as a result of I hardly ever lose an argument. I include details ready.
When I would like inspiration, I: Go to the seaside or the ocean—anyplace with open water. That’s the place I believe my finest and might work my means by means of issues.
The largest false impression about being an entrepreneur is: That it’s an inexpensive factor to do. In order to be one, it’s a must to be optimistic and be keen to do numerous work with no payoff for an unknown period of time. People additionally suppose the payoff comes sooner than it does, nevertheless it’s a recreation of delayed gratification.
The recommendation I all the time give others now: Nurture your relationships. Every success I’ve had in business got here from a relationship with somebody. I landed a TV look as soon as as a result of a pal of mine helped me make a connection. When you help others, it’s going to come again to you.
One factor I wish to do earlier than I retire: I’m not a bucket-list particular person, however I’ve short-term targets for 2024. This yr, I wish to go on trip to Santorini, and likewise begin writing a guide on myofascial launch, a remedy that has confirmed to assist with accidents, sleep and even psychological well being.
Source: canadianbusiness.com