Beauty is Not Always Pain: Leading the Charge with Shantel Jackson

Ladies, you know how uncomfortable heels can get over a long period of time. Long days or nights out sometimes end with us carrying our heels in our hands rather than wearing them. It seems like we often have to sacrifice our comfort in order to maintain a look or style.

Shantel Jackson knows too well how uncomfortable high heels can be. As a self-proclaimed high heel addict, Shantel wanted to find a way to make high heels more comfortable for herself. When she found the solution in an outsole product, Shantel turned her design into a consumer product for all women, Shoe Gummi.

“I know for myself, I walk more confidently.”

Shoe Gummi is an outsole product that relieves pressure on the balls of the feet, thus making high heels more comfortable for longer wear. The outsole design was essential for Shantel who wasn’t satisfied with the typical insole products. “[Insoles] would crowd my shoe, slip out of place, and, to me, it really didn’t do me justice in trying to get comfort in a pair of high heels,” Shatel said. Not only does Shoe Gummi make high heels more comfortable, it also makes walking in them easier. Having the outsole on the bottom of your shoe slightly tilts your foot backwards which helps with balance and stability.

But creating a consumer product isn’t a simple process. Shantel shares that the first prototype of the Shoe Gummi is completely different from the product today. She describes the first design to look like a tadpole with a round head and a tail that went along the back of the shoe. “Having to do my research testing the product, I figured certain things weren’t needed, like the tail,” Shantel shared. The first prototype also failed stability tests and Shantel knew that she had to make changes to the design.

“Being an entrepreneur is something that is molding me and helping me become a better person.”

Let’s be real, Shoe Gummi is a product that could only come from someone who loves high heels. The orthotics, footwear, and accessories industry is a typically male dominated industry. Shantel Jackson is shaking things up by not only being a black women entrepreneur in a male dominated field, but by creating genuine products geared towards womens comfort.

“Just put your all into it and you will definitely see the fruits of your labor.”

Currently, Shoe Gummi is only available in black. But the brand has future plans to include more color options to match all of your favorite heels, including a red gummi for the Christian Louboutin lovers. As for Shantel’s favorite heels? She shared, “I love Balenciaga. And they’re pointed boots right now. Alexander Wang. They have like some good mules going on with the sparkles on the front. I’m loving Versace right now with the big gold buckles and big gold chains around the ankle and at the toes.”

“For anyone going through life, starting a business, or working a nine-to-five, don’t be afraid of failure or to fail.”