Profile: Samanta Shoes

Samanta Joseph, a Guyanese native traded her Computer Information Systems degree for a life that would fulfill her passion. Her better half, Vice-President Kelvin Joseph, 27, soon followed suit and resigned from his career as a CPA in order to dedicate 100 percent to helping his wife pursue her dream. “We have developed a successful business and family by putting God first in our lives,� he says, as he reflects on his blessings.

Mothers sometimes tell daughters that a little pain is the price for beauty even as they struggle to endure the burning sensation of a hot comb, relaxer or the awkward fit of church shoes. Now two young entrepreneurs want to show you that beauty should not be equated with suffering.

Samanta Shoes was founded in 2003 with the notion to provide women with stylish alternatives that will not damage their pockets or their toes. Hence, the company’s motto “Quality, Comfort, and Style.� Designer and CEO is Samanta Joseph, 28, who notes that her shoe fetish has truly matured as she often reminisces on the fond memories of helping her mother create summer sandals. This Guyanese native in return traded her Computer Information Systems degree for a life that would fulfill her passion. Her better half, Vice-President Kelvin Joseph, 27, soon followed suit and resigned from his career as a CPA in order to dedicate 100 percent to helping his wife pursue her dream. “We have developed a successful business and family by putting God first in our lives,� he says, as he reflects on his blessings. He was able to draw from $100k in real estate investments to establish the company.

The couple began by contacting Brazilian authorities to locate factories that could develop Samanta’s special shoe mold; it’s a hybrid of a woman with a high instep and a woman with a flat foot. This ingenuity provides comfort to women on both ends of the spectrum and all areas in between. As the company puts it, Samanta’s signature style “brings quality to the woman who works hard for her money, and is too sophisticated to spend $500 for one pair of shoes.â€?

The initial marketing initiative consisted of word-of-mouth advertising through former business contacts, product giveaways to celebrities and editorial hits in major publications such as Lucky, Latina, and Essence. Currently the Who’s Who in Hollywood to downtown Divas can be seen sashaying in Samanta’s from Sanaa Lathan, Tyra Banks, Queen Latifah to Lauryn Hill, the cast of “The View” and New York’s own Wendy Williams. 

After a year of exclusive on-line sales the company branched out to independent stores by promoting the line at major trade shows like the World Shoe Association in Las Vegas. Samanta Shoes are now offered in 25 independent stores nationwide with estimated sales grossing $250k in its second year. Kelvin and Samanta look forward to doubling profits in 06′ and strive for success in 50 independent retail stores, and one major department store with the desire to open a flagship store in 2007. This line is reasonably priced, retailing $125-$200 for shoes and $200-$300 for boots and bags. Samanta and Kelvin Joseph encourage you to join the Samanta Shoes family.

For more information log on to www.samantashoes.com or contact customer service at 718-231-2008.

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