Inspired by the scenery of Sydney’s beaches, The Bondi Shoe Club has created completely recyclable shoes. We chat to Co-Founder, Fran McKirdy.
- Tell us about The Bondi Shoe Club.
The Bondi Shoe Club (TBSC) is all about fun, colourful and vegan shoes, but our higher purpose is to help contribute to the conservation of Australia’s oceans, something we feel really strongly about as keen divers. The brand, from its name and logo to style of prints, encapsulates the beauty of nature, and we have worked hard to ensure the business is environmentally responsible from the get go.
- What inspired you to start The Bondi Shoe Club?
My fiancé and I are big ocean lovers and have been lucky to have dived some incredible places over the years. However, during this time we have sadly seen some dramatic changes due to coral bleaching and plastic pollution. When we moved to Australia two years ago we were keen to get our teeth into a project and do our bit for the ocean. When I noticed a lack of casual, colourful footwear in Sydney, we decided to combine a drive for ocean conservation with my love of prints and colour and so, The Bondi Shoe Club was born.
- Tell us about your career and background.
I’m actually a physiotherapist by trade and have been lucky enough to have worked in the UK, Singapore and Sydney for the past 11 years. But I was really keen to try my hand at something completely different and pursue a whole new career. If only I knew what I was getting myself in for when starting a shoe business!
- Describe a typical work day for you.
We live in the Eastern suburbs so a run along the coast and dip in the ocean pool is usually on the cards but if I’m feeling particularly energetic I’ll take on the Coogee stairs a few times! Depending on whether I have my Physio or TBSC hat on, I’ll have a full day at the clinic treating clients or pitch up in a local café around Coogee to get on with emails, sort orders, sample the coffee and work on the business with my fiancé, James.
- What advice do you have for those wanting to start a business?
Take the time to have a really thorough understanding of your target market and research your product before pushing the green light on anything. Secondly, keep it lean, there’s a lot you can achieve yourself with a little bit of effort and self learning, you really don’t need to outsource everything you don’t have experience or an understanding in. And most importantly, ensure you make it as environmentally responsible as possible from the start.
- What’s next for you, and The Bondi Shoe Club?
We are looking to experiment with other types of sustainable materials and shoe designs, so watch this space! We will be getting involved in a lot of conservation projects as well which we are really excited about.
