Hello,

 

We hope you are doing well. 

 

The shoes we chose to wear all day should provide a comfortable base for our busy lives, but let’s face it, comfort does not always mean cute and stylish.  

 

We all have those bulky shoes in our closets that are comfortable but we prefer not to be seen in them! That’s  why we created BENDY. We were shooting for the comfort of a sneaker AND the style of a flat. 

 

But we also knew there were a gazillion shoe brands. In fact, we believed the world needed another shoe like it needed another coal burning power plant.

 

We had a hunch if we could create one that put planet and people first AND be stylish and comfortable, we could stand out from the crowd.

 

And guess what?

 

We succeeded.

 

Now we can tell you that positive reviews NEVER get old.  We still jump for joy when women tell us they love our planet-friendly, comfy shoe.

 

Today we thought we would share a few with you.

 

Because of customers like you, we are able to do our part and offer women an alternative way to shop for comfortable shoes. 

 

Take care and thanks for your continued support of our small, sustainably-minded, 100% women-owned business!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shop our stylish comfortable shoe

 

Stay safe and well,

 

Caroline and Mary Sue

Yes you read it right, we suggest you break up on this Valentines day!

 

And by that we don't mean to break up with your loved one, don't worry.

 

What we ask you to consider, is a break up with fast fashion.

 

First, let's see what fast fashion actually is? 

 

• Fast fashion is clothing that’s made quickly and cheaply so it will sync up with trends and what consumers want right now.

 

• And when the trend of the moment has passed, new clothing appears on the racks, and people buy more...

 

 

Lucy is right. It sounds fun, and it often looks fun and is something so many people love to buy. But there's a dark side of fast fashion.

 

• Fast fashion is not only made to be disposable, worn for a season or less and discarded, but is incredibly energy consuming, polluting and wasteful.

 

• And sadly 1 million tons of apparel and shoes ends up in landfill each year.

 

That's a lot!

 

Labor rights violations run rampant in countries where fast fashion is made and they have for many years.

 

And over the decades, fast fashion went from a minority player in the industry to becoming the new normal.

 

Take a look at these stats from China, where the majority of our shoes and clothes are made.

 

 

We know, this is overwhelming information, but we are here to tell you that we can do something about this!

 

In fact, we started our company to offer women an alternative way to shop. We created BENDY to help women break up with fast fashion.

 

• BENDY is handcrafted in our home state of California, by artisan shoemakers.

 

• We can ensure that fair wages, safe working conditions, and no forced or child labor is used in making BENDY.

 

•  We stitch our upper to the soles instead of using glue. This reduces workers exposure to toxic glues.

 

• BENDY is made in small batches with shorter lead-times. This means we can more easily predict demand & avoid the dangers of over production associated with fast fashion.

 

They are simple, comfortable, stylish and more planet friendly. This last element has never been more important.

 

What else can you do to break up with fast fashion?

 

Shop BENDY here

Photo credit: Julie Anderson, One Wild Life Photograph

 

If ever there were a time to remember that change is possible within ourselves, it's near the start of a new year. 

 

As a female-led small business ourselves, stories of inspiring women entrepreneurs have helped get us through tough times. Today, we're proud to feature Jenelle Botts—veteran, renowned photographer, mom, wife, and BENDY shoes fan. 

 

Jenelle is an award-winning and internationally published commercial and lifestyle photographer who tells thoughtful and authentic stories through her craft.

 

During her 13 years in uniform as an intelligence analyst (and two deployments one in Afghanistan and one in Iraq), she was able to serve as a warrant officer and work directly with soldiers.

 

Currently, her family—two kids named Henry and Madeline, plus her husband Seth, who she met on active duty—reside in Raleigh, North Carolina.

 

"They are the reason I have joy in my heart and a wine delivery subscription," Jenelle says about her beautiful kids.

 

But it wasn't a straight shot for Jenelle. With a successful photography career just over the horizon, she had some moves to make. After a storied career, she decided to submit her resignation and become a stay-at-home mom. 

 

"After my daughter started to get older, I found that I had more time to think about myself again and what I wanted to do now that my army career was over. Photography had been something that I did for myself for a long time. One day a friend asked if I could take some family photos for them and the rest is history!"

 

Jenelle opened her business in 2018 while stationed in Germany, serving ex-pat and military clients.

 

Jenelle adds, "When I closed up in Germany to prepare for our move back to the states I knew I wanted to pivot to commercial photography so I didn't have to work on weekends! The pandemic kind of handed me product photography as an option when photographing people became hard."

 

Jenelle on her BENDY shoes:

 

I love my BENDYs! They are cute and stylish. It's the comfort of a sneaker with the style of a dress shoe.  They run true to size for me. I'm a solid size 8, and the 8 is a perfect fit. They also breathe well. I wore them all day on a hot North Carolina summer day with minimal sweating! My feet didn't feel hot or stuffy.

 

I get lots of compliments when I wear them. They look great with shorts and skinny jeans and even a maxi dress. 

 

 

From us at BENDY, we're happy to have awesome women like Jenelle as part of our family. Check out Jenelle's creative product and branding photography here. If you're a military spouse entrepreneur or business owner, consider joining MSCC.

 

Shop BENDY here

 

 

Hello,

 

This was a very rough year for many of us and like you, our company faced some big challenges and setbacks.  As a company, we had to think, adjust, learn and listen in order to navigate our way through. We bravely forged ahead and have come to believe that our planet friendly shoe and sustainable business model is more relevant and important than ever. So with the New Year, we have a new vibe. See what is ahead for us.

 

Today we’d like to share with you our plans and what we are preparing for you this year. 

 

And also we want to thank you for your continued support, without you we wouldn’t be here!

 

 

Product

 

We improved our pattern by adjusting our topline ever so slightly so it will fit a higher instep and not feel as snug. This means BENDY will fit more foot types.

 

We are now reinforcing the forefoot. Through customer feedback, we learned that our shoe could be improved by strengthening this area.  

 

This increases the durability of our shoe so your BENDYs will wear better and last longer.  

 

We see this as a win for you and for the environment.

 

And you know what? Bendy will have a side kick in 2021.

 

Look for a new pattern to be launching. Same comfort and as true to our value (planet friendly shoes). We think you are going to  love them!

 

 

Our makers

 

Our California factory shifted from making shoes to protective gowns, isolation suits, and face masks in March to help combat the nationwide shortage of Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) for people on the front lines. 

 

We had to pause shoe-making  but then we started up again in the Fall.

 

This caused some unexpected size and color shortages in core colors, but we are working really hard  to restock them by March.

 

 

 

A new website and look is coming in 2021

 

In the last quarter, we’ve spent a lot of time working on a new look and a new website for our brand. 

 

Our new site will better showcase our brand’s personality and our commitment to sustainable shoe making.  

 

Many of you know we are self-funded and launched our business in 2019 with a crowdfunding campaign.

 

We have learned, made adjustments and are building on our successes. We are brimming with excitement over this new look that is coming soon, stay tuned!

 

Commitment to Circular Shoe making

 

We have always valued safe working conditions and fair wages and made planet friendly material and construction choices but we realize that we also have a responsibility to consider our shoe’s end of life plan.

 

Therefore, we have created a Circular Shoe Guide as our North Star. 

 

Progress not perfection is our goal. We make the best choices we can with the knowledge and resources available to us. Our vision includes a 100% circular shoe making process by 2023. 

 

 

Wides

 

We feel bad when we hear from customers that they love our shoe but they can’t wear it due to having a wide foot. We take your feedback to heart and are excited to be researching the introduction of wide widths for you lovely ladies in 2021. 

 

 

Launch of our Give back program

 

You know that BENDY is all about being kinder to the planet… so we are planning to give back to the planet on every pair of shoes sold! That means that when you buy our shoes you are also giving back to the planet, pretty sweet!  All in line with our planet friendly shoe values.

 

Stay tuned for our launch of this program on Earth Day 2021.

 

What are your plans for this year? Feel free to share them with us, we would love to hear from you.

 

Stay safe!

 

Caroline and Mary Sue

 

Shop Here

 

 

 

Did you know that being cozy can be good for your health?

 

Cozying up at home during the COVID-19 pandemic can be great for not only your physical health, but also your mental well-being. Thanks to the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced hoo-ga), researchers have learned that embracing coziness and life’s little pleasures can improve overall happiness.

 

Need proof? Danes are considered some of the happiest people in the world, according to the 2017, 2018 and 2019 World Happiness Reports.

 

Health benefits of “hygge”:

 

Hygge has a wide range of benefits. It can:

-Increase happiness

-Decrease the adrenal stress response, resulting in fewer cortisol spikes

-Help you be present in the moment

-Improve your self-care and self-love

 

How to practice “hygge”: 

 

Embrace self-care. Light some candles and curl up in a comfy chair with a warm blanket, a book, your journal, or a sweet treat if you want one.

 

Practice self-compassion. Let yourself be. Don’t be hard on yourself for not being productive in that moment or for having a sweet treat.

 

Create a cozy environment. Surround yourself with whatever is going to help you feel more relaxed and supported. This may mean removing unnecessary clutter and tidying up regularly, using lamps for a cozy feel, and selecting comfortable pillows and furniture.

 

Spend time in nature. Even in the winter, Danes take long walks and spend time outside. Spending time outdoors has proven stress-relieving benefits and can help you connect to something bigger than yourself. If you're able to, go for a walk around your neighborhood.

 

Connect with others. Social support is an important aspect of health and well-being. People who practice hygge surround themselves with family and friends. It’s about connecting with and enjoying each other’s company, not competing or impression management. Spending quality time with others also boosts feel-good oxytocin, the “cuddle hormone.” 

 

Live in the moment. Hygge isn’t something you achieve, but rather a lifestyle. You don’t have to put pressure on yourself to do life perfectly. View life as a journey, not an end state.

 

Buy comfortable clothes and shoes.When it comes to feeling relaxed and comfortable, the clothes you are wearing play a huge role in the way you feel. Speaking of foot care, make sure you check out our super comfortable and stylish BENDY. If you don't already have a pair this would be an excellent time to treat your feet.

 

Stay safe everyone.