International Women’s Day (March 8th) is a global day celebrating the achievements of women from all around the world. In light of this day, we got in touch with our Head of Product & Merchandising, Joanna Trevena, to share her story and talk about her Cosyfeet career.
How long have you worked for Cosyfeet?
I joined Cosyfeet when I was 23 and have been here for 15 happy years.
What do you love most about your job?
I am happiest in my job when I’m working with our designer to create problem solving styles for our customers, knowing that they will enhance their day-to-day comfort. Nothing beats the feeling of meeting with our lovely customers at fit-tests, and finding a winning new design that can accommodate and soothe the most swollen and sensitive feet. I am also very lucky that the Cosyfeet team are some of my greatest friends, so getting to work with them daily is a joy.
Do you have a favourite Cosyfeet product?
This one is changeable as I have so many favourites, but currently the Harriet that launched last season. It is so elegant and stylish but at the same time Liz, our Shop Manager and Fitting Expert, has found that it can fit and flatter such a variety of foot shapes. Deceptively deep but dainty in appearance, it’s the perfect party shoe!
Is there an inspirational quote you go by, or love?
I have always been a firm believer that anything can be achieved if you are willing to work hard enough for it, so this quote from Matilda by Roald Dahl has always been one that has struck a chord.
'She felt fairly confident that with a great deal of practice and effort, she would succeed in the end'
And, I entirely agree with Marilyn Monroe when she said “give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world”
Which women do you most admire, and why?
As a child my favourite things were reading and helping my dad on our family farm, so on one childhood holiday to the beautiful Lake District, I became particularly fascinated with Beatrix Potter. Already a fan of her charming literary characters, I then learnt of the legacy she has left through her pioneering conservation efforts and donations of her homes, farms and land in the Lake District to the National Trust. As an adult, I came to further admire her as an astute businesswoman. Leading the way when it came to merchandising, she oversaw the design and manufacture of a wide range of branded products, from the Peter Rabbit doll to board games, and was among the first children’s authors to create toy versions of her most popular characters. To achieve such things at a time when it would have been harder for women to have their voice heard is extraordinarily inspiring.
And of course, my mum!
What are you most proud of?
I have three young boys, and nothing can really compare to the pride I feel seeing them turn into kind human beings. Family aside though, I am really proud of the Cosyfeet teams recent collaboration with the University of Exeter to create a sports shoe that has been designed specifically with the older foot and body in mind. We know our customers want to stay active and participate in sports and have been asking for a true performance shoe; so that is what we’ve delivered, and I can’t wait to see their reaction when it launches later this month.
We hope we have inspired you today, if you have any stories or quotes be sure to share them with us on our social pages!