Business: Foot Solutions Naperville
Address: 931 W. 75th St.
Phone: 630-357-0992
Owner: Melissa Cain
Opening: 2001; Cain took ownership in 2011
What does this business sell? “It’s a little weird. It’s not a shoe store. We are not an orthotics lab. We are kind of a hybrid. Basically what we tell people when they ask is that we are a health and wellness facility that helps people with common foot problems or if they have back pain, hip pain, knee pain,” Melissa Cain said. “We don’t call ourselves a shoe store because we do so much more than just offer shoes. We do make custom orthotics, and we also have over-the-counter orthotics to help people inside their shoe.”
What was the impetus for buying this store? “We actually had a (Foot Solutions) store in Orland Park since 2008. … And we knew that we wanted to expand at that time. So when the Naperville store came up for sale, we knew it was a great fit and a great market.”
What’s the best thing about being in Naperville? “We love the people. … We love the customers. They appreciate what we do. They are gracious, and they are open.”
What’s the biggest challenge about Naperville? “Naperville is a large market, and there is a lot of competition, but because we are so unique in our offering, we stand out a little. You know, people that need us, need us. They can’t shop on Zappos or go to Nordstrom. They can’t just go to a store and pick up a pair of shoes.”
When is your busiest time of year? “Springtime. When you are dealing with the Chicago winter, once it gets warmer out there, you want to start getting active again, want to go power walking or just exercising in general. We are able to help them with that, get them ready to hit the ground running. And not only that, we sell so many different types of sandals that are so comfortable. People get excited about that, too.”
What’s the most popular thing you sell? “I’d have to say Finn Comfort. They are by far the most popular. They are so comfortable, handmade, hand-stitched, finest product, made in Germany. And they last forever.”
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What is the thing you most like to do in your business? “I handle the advertising and marketing, and because that is my background. … I actually apply a lot of those skills now. And I love it when it works. When we do a promotion and it works, it’s a great feeling.”
What is your least favorite thing to do? “I don’t like to do the paperwork, personally. I wish I had an assistant to help with that. There is a lot of it.”
What is the best thing about owning your own business? “I like to create my own destiny. I did work for 25 years in radio advertising in the Chicago market. … It was a great experience, you know, working for ‘the man.’ But I found that I am much better served for myself and my family running my own show. … And it’s a sense of pride, too, when you are making a difference in peoples’ lives and you know you are doing it.”
What is the biggest downside? “I don’t know who said it: ‘An entrepreneur is the only person who will work 80 hours per week to avoid working 40,’ and it’s so true. …I have some great employees. I rely on mine a lot. But if one of them has to leave, then you have to do it all.”
What is the biggest misconception about your business? “That feet are the same. Feet are completely different from each other. They are like snowflakes. No two feet are alike. So when we make their orthotics, they are truly customized not just to their individual feet compared to everyone else’s feet but also to their feet compared to one another.”
Who are your customers? “We do certainly cater to the baby boomers out there. And you know, gravity just starts to take its toll, and you’ve been on your feet for many, many years. But we work with all ages. … We also deal with sports injuries and a variety of issues. We also have special-needs customers.”
What advice would you give someone thinking about opening a store? “Make sure it is a business that you like. … I never feel like I work a day in my life. It’s all enjoyable. It truly is. It’s very gratifying. If you open something you are passionate about within that business, it makes it a fun ride, and it’s a learning experience.”
Daina Saleh is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.