How Dr. Liza Egbogah Started a Celeb-Approved Supportive Shoe Business

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 review 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 group of orthopedic excessive heels meant to right posture and alleviate joint ache. Since launching, her business has grown to incorporate loafers, sneakers and shoulder luggage, and have been worn by many various kinds of professionals who wish to appear and feel 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 assumed I’d develop as much as be: A physician, however I had no thought which type. When I’d see folks in ache, I’d inform them that someday I’d heal them.

My favorite childhood reminiscence: Reading works from my uncle, the African creator Chinua Achebe. In one in all 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 physician, my household known as me the golden little one as a result of I used to be supposedly following in his footsteps. At the time, I assumed that they had simply given me the nickname as a result of I had blonde hair.

The greatest takeaway from my schooling: Learning tips on how to successfully do analysis. It’s vital to do your personal analysis when you could have 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 tips on how to come out of my shell and promote. That 12 months, 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 preserve that I’d not be an entrepreneur at this time if not for that job.

A major 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 12 months 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 mother and father. My dad largely paid his school tuition by making wood toys and promoting them on the facet of the road in Nigeria, and he ultimately turned an engineer. My mom was a instructor who additionally earned her MBA and real-estate license when she wished to avoid wasting up for a home. Their motto is: There is at all times a approach.

Something that basically wants to alter in my business is: Comfort washing: footwear with tons of cushioning that really feel good on the toes however break 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 toes slide in unnatural methods.

The second I knew I’d made it: As a chiropractor, I opened a pop-up therapy 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 curious about therapy: George Clooney, Nicole Kidman and Idris Alba all got here to the pop-up, to call just a few. 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 power 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 exhausting approach: Manufacturing was robust to nail down—I knew nothing about it. In the early days of launching Dr. Liza Shoes, I acquired 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 unsuitable color or with the unsuitable buckles.

The factor that retains me motivated is: Seeing a shopper transfer properly 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 trying good.

If I wasn’t doing this, I’d be: A lawyer. Growing up, my lecturers and professors typically instructed me I’d make a superb lawyer as a result of I not often lose an argument. I include details ready.

When I want inspiration, I: Go to the seashore or the ocean—anyplace with open water. That’s the place I feel my finest and may work my approach by way of issues.

The greatest 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 plenty of work with no payoff for an unknown period of time. People additionally suppose the payoff comes sooner than it does, but it surely’s a recreation of delayed gratification.

The recommendation I at all times 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 buddy of mine helped me make a connection. When you help others, it is going to come again to you.

One factor I wish to do earlier than I retire: I’m not a bucket-list individual, however I’ve short-term objectives for 2024. This 12 months, I wish to go on trip to Santorini, and in addition begin writing a e book on myofascial launch, a therapy that has confirmed to assist with accidents, sleep and even psychological well being.