Disco Toes

A local lady with a penchant for pretty pumps recently launched a new business around her true love and talent. This shoe-savvy start-up literally adds some sparkle to your step, so keep reading to learn how you can help her kick start her new business while supporting your shoe addiction.

You can't have a bad day if you're wearing sparkly shoes. That's the idea Megan Schmidt, founder of Disco Toes, centered her business around in September of 2012.

Megan Schmidt, founder of Disco Toes

"I was asked to decorate a pair of shoes with some sparkle so I suggested using rhinestones, which turned out to be the perfect touch, everyone went crazy for them," Schmidt recalls. "A few weeks later, my best friend sent me a photo of a very high end - and HIGH priced - pair of rhinestone covered shoes that she was dreaming about having to wear at her wedding."

Schmidt did some research and realized there weren't many - if any - companies out there that encouraged one of a kind designs and complete customization. She immediately volunteered to make the shoes for her and the idea for creating Discotoes was born. "I'm not an 'entire wardrobe covered in sparkle' kind of girl, its not in my DNA," Schmidt says. "[But] I can say, with absolute certainty, that I love wearing my sparkly Discotoes. It is just impossible to have a bad day when you can look down and see the light dancing across your feet."

The process of creating a pair of Disco Toes starts with a satin or suede shoe base. "As corny as it sounds, the shoe style really 'speaks' to the design that will look best on it," Schmidt says. "I take into account the style of the shoe, the Swarovski crystal or glitter colors that we want to incorporate, and even the clothing that the shoes will be worn with to come up with the design."

Schmidt says her favorite parts of the process is coming up with the design and envisioning how it will be worn, "because its where the shoe really starts to come to life!" After a design consultation, Schmidt often creates a digital mock up of what the finished product will look like. The last step is the actual bedazzling. For most designs, she uses three sizes of crystals so they nest into each other to create a solid and cohesive "sparkly" look. "Each Swarovski crystal is placed by hand for a perfect look," Schmidt adds.

The design process can be completed in as little as a day and the shoes are completed within 2-3 weeks of the final design meeting. The price range for Glitter Designs start at $75 and Swarovski Crystal designs start at $125. However, Schmidt says, the design can easily go up to over $1,000 depending on the size and intricacy of the order. "I am always happy to design within a set budget," Schmidt adds. "There is a perfect style and price for everyone!"

Schmidt's favorite design thus far changes every day, she says. "But right now," she adds, "my favorites are a purple to silver ombre made for my best friend Lindsay - it's the shoe that started it all - and 'Barbie Bridal' a super girlie white satin pump with bright pink sparkles on the heels that were a gift from a Bridesmaid to a Bride."

Schmidt says she looks forward to bringing a sparkle to the step of men's shoes soon. "Which I've lovingly dubbed 'Discobros,'" she says. "A large part of my business is based in Wedding shoes, so I am looking forward to putting together some Cincinnati Style photoshoots in the coming months as well."

To see all of the newest Discotoes designs, become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/discotoes. The website, www.discotoes.com has all of the necessary information to inspire you and get you started designing your own one of a kind pair of shoes.

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