Honestly? It happened by accident.
When I started Just Shoes for Kids in 2014, I wasn't trying to become a children's shoe expert. I was just a mom who was frustrated by how hard it was to find good shoes for kids.
What started as a small online store turned into over a decade of helping parents figure out questions like:
Is there enough room for growth?
Why does this shoe fit one child but not another?
Does my child need a wider shoe?
Why does my kid destroy shoes in two weeks?
What shoes are best for first walkers?
After answering those questions thousands of times, you start to learn a thing or two.
One of the things I've learned is that there is rarely one "best" shoe. The best shoe depends on the child.
Some kids have wide feet. Some have narrow feet. Some need something easy to get on and off. Some want the lightest shoe possible. Some are rough on their shoes. And some seem determined to wear the same pair every day for six months straight.
I've also spent years working directly with European shoe brands, attending trade shows, reviewing samples, and evaluating new styles. A lot of shoes never make it onto our website because if I wouldn't put them on my own kid, I'm not going to recommend them to yours.
The funny thing is that I still don't think of myself as an "expert."
I'm still learning. I'm still asking questions. I'm still looking for better products.
But after helping families choose shoes for more than ten years, I've realized something:
Parents don't need someone to sell them shoes.
They need someone who will give them an honest answer.
That's what I've always tried to do.
So if you're wondering whether your child needs a bigger size, whether a shoe runs narrow, or whether that playground wear is normal (it usually is), you've come to the right place.
I've probably seen it before. If you have a question, feel free to send us an email to help@justshoesforkids.com.
-Jodi