Episode 21 - In Her Footsteps: Lessons From Every Pair of Shoes | Part One

From kitchen couture to investment power suits—8 unforgettable women, 8 incredible pairs of shoes. In Episode 21 of I Want Her Shoes Podcast, host Anna Anisin reflects on the first eight guests to grace the mic—seven of them are Miami-based women who brought heart, hustle, and of course, unforgettable footwear. Each woman was asked to bring a pair of shoes with a story—and the results were iconic. 👠 Most Popular Guest Shoe? The Manolo Blahnik Hangisi. Three guests. Three colors. Three unforgettable stories. Melissa Pegus, Ella, and Courtney Spritzer all brought their Hangisis—each one symbolizing confidence, love, and legacy in its own unique way. 🌴 Most Chosen Shoe from Anna’s Closet: Hot Pink Palm Angels Slip-Ons with Palm Tree Heels Chosen by: Diana, Rhonda, and Virginia Represents: Bold, beautiful, and unapologetically Miami. 💬 Guests + Lessons (Episodes 1–8): 👩‍🍳 Episode 1 – Nicole Votano, Culinary Entreprenuer Nicole showed us how to mix kitchen craft with fashion flair—and the importance of choosing family without sacrificing creativity. Lesson: Intentional balance is a power move. 💇‍♀️ Episode 2 – Fatima Dicko, Founder of The Beauty Brow Bar She built a beauty brand rooted in service and community—because beauty starts with how you make people feel. Lesson: Leadership is love in action. 💼 Episode 3 – Melissa Pegus, Entrepreneur and Managing Partner at 645 Ventures Melissa broke down how personal style can help women in investing command attention—and recall powerful milestones. Lesson: Personal branding is personal. 👗 Episode 5 – Sherrell Dorsey, Exited Entrepreneur Sherrell taught us that sustainable fashion is about stories, not just stats. It's about values stitched into every thread. Lesson: Style is activism. 👠 Episode 7 – Cynthia Ortiz, Founder of Casa Lily From navigating tariffs to designing a signature wave heel, Cynthia builds fashion with ethics and empowerment in mind. Lesson: Small steps make a big impact. 🛍️ Episode 8 – Svetlana Gafurova, Director of Luxury Sales, Bottega Veneta Svetlana revealed how the modern luxury shopper has changed—and how brands must evolve to meet them. Lesson: Luxury is rooted in authenticity. Whether you’re building a brand, building a family, or building the confidence to be seen, this episode is your reminder that every step counts—and every story matters. 📌 Resources & Mentions: Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwanthershoespodcast/ Anna’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iwanthershoes/ Sign up for a newsletter: https://news.iwanthershoes.com/subscribe Learn more about the Podcast: https://iwanthershoes.com/ 💬 Join the Conversation: What was your favorite shoe story from this episode? Tag @iwanthershoespodcast on Instagram or LinkedIn with your thoughts and your own power-shoe moment using #IWantHerShoes. 💖 Rate & Review: If this show has inspired you, we’d love for you to leave a 5-star rating and review! It helps more amazing women find us—and join the journey. EPISODE CREDITS: Writer and Host: Anna Anisin Produced, edited, and mixed by the Formulatedby Team LINKS: Visit the I Want Her Shoes Website Follow on Instagram Watch on YouTube Subscribe to the Newsletter