Hello there,

 

Did you know it’s Small Business Saturday? Today is the day to shine a light on and come out and support this determined group who have especially taken it  on the chin of late.

 

We wanted to point a few reasons to support small businesses whether its your favorite local shops in your own town OR small, creative online makers like us.

 

 

Not only this but two out of three new net private-sector jobs are created by small businesses.

 

Not only do small businesses create a significant percentage of new jobs, but the jobs they create provide high levels of job satisfaction. The feeling is amazing when you have a job that makes you happy, right?

 

The more that small businesses leverage their potential to support each other, the greater their capacity to create a thriving local business community.

 

Said another way, when you spend money at a small shop, you are investing in communities, not billionaires.

 

And yes, one more thing, please, think about this when you start shopping for this holiday.

 

Shop BENDY

 

Stay well, 
 

Mary Sue and Caroline

 

P.S Presents from small businesses are sure to make your giftee smile. Gifts from small business stand out. Here at BENDY you will get a personalized note in each box from one of us (take that Amazon)!

 

 

Dear BENDY family,

 

Whether we like it or not, many holiday traditions are being re-imagined this year. Many of us are embracing alfresco mini feasts and scenic family hikes so we can stay safe and still see our loves ones. And
many families, like mine, are gathering in much smaller groups and missing members who could not travel.

 

Despite the range of emotions that we are all feeling this year, a meal with your favorite foods and treats could make it all a little better. Getting comfortable and focusing on what we are grateful for is what this holiday is all about.

 

I for one am thankful for my family and friends who I have leaned on during this challenging year. I am especially appreciative of my new covid puppy, Froggy. He has warmed my heart with his bountiful energy and love.

 

 

As for getting comfortable, now we can help with that part.  BENDY is that shoe that feels like an old friend. One to count on when you need to feel good from head to toe. Slipping on a pair of BENDYs is sure to add an element of comfort, just like the fresh whipped cream on your pumpkin pie.
 

Now if you have been following us for long, you know that we are not a big discount brand. We operate in a lean and mean manner and think our well-made, Italian leather shoe is a fair price and a good value. But it is the season of giving thanks, so we are offering $20 OFF this week. If you have been thinking about trying a pair or adding another color of BENDYs to your collection, now would be the time.

 

Enter CODE: GRATITUDE
 

Shop our stylish, comfortable shoes here

Much love,
 

Mary Sue

 

 

BarkingDogShoes.com reviews and recommends the best footwear for people with various foot issues (as well as for women with average feet for whom comfort is a high priority). People with bunions, plantar fasciitis, over pronation, flat feet, Morton’s neuroma, and a host of other foot problems have found comfortable and attractive shoes thanks to the thousands of recommendations Barking Dog Shoes has provided over the past 10 years. Barking Dog Shoes is always on the lookout for new styles and brands to keep readers looking and feeling their best so we were over the moon when the featured our comfy, planet friendly shoe.

 

Meet Heather, she recently reviewed our BENDY

 

I’m currently the high school director at my church, but COVID has given me the opportunity to step into a few other roles in the church that I could never have anticipated: my current newest endeavor is filming our services as part of the tech team. When you consider the time we spend setting up, running through and then filming the actual services, I can easily be on my feet for three hours straight, much of that standing still. Being behind the camera, I can’t very easily stretch my legs, massage my back and still keep everyone in frame, so I need any support I can get. Enter BENDY shoes.

 

I wore my new BENDY shoes for the first time two weeks ago. I tried them out for shorter stretches at first, running some errands, taking a quick walk to the park, transporting kids to playdates. Then it came time for their true test: Sunday morning. I paired them with my new favorite dress yoga pants and a tech team shirt and set myself up behind camera.

 

Even after filming two services, my feet and back still felt great. These were, no joke, the third different brand I had worn in three weeks of filming, and these gave me the most support and comfort by far.

 

How do they fit?

 

As a size 11, I always have a little fear and trepidation when trying on shoes for the first time. Will my gargantuan feet fit in these? Will I look like a clown? These hugged my feet but weren’t too tight. I have a narrower foot, and these fit nicely on width, too. Plus, the sleek design didn’t emphasize the size of my feet. See this chart to help you order the correct size of BENDY shoes.

 

How do they feel?

 

I love the feel of my new BENDY shoes! They slip on easily (I’m always a sucker for easy on-and-off) and feel so cushy. The heel stays on, even when I jog a little or climb up on top of rocks. As someone who likes efficiency, I love a good slip-on that stays put. Plus, I really like the–wait for it– bendy nature of them. They’re great from a style and movement perspective.

 

Versatility

 

Though the BENDY leans a little more toward the casual side, they can easily pair with so many looks– with a cute dress or skirt, shorts and a t-shirt or your favorite sweater and jeans. They’re transitioning with me from summer to fall, too. They come in loads of colors, so you can go neutral or add a pop of color. One of the most important things for me when considering any part of my wardrobe is comfort. In fact, one of my favorite pieces of wisdom from my dad is “comfort knows no shame.” With BENDY, I get the comfort with zero shame because, dang, these are cute! You can’t always say that.  Also, I love that they’re 100% woman-owned. Any time I can support other ladies, I’m in!

 

Shop BENDY

 

Heather lives in gorgeous Colorado with her husband, 3 kids and 2 dogs. She loves hiking, playing tennis, reading and embarrassing her kids by dressing in costumes and chasing their school bus every so often. She firmly believes that you can wear cute, fun clothes while still being comfortable.

 

 

 

The BENDY shoe was bred from a need to treat our planet and our feet better. When podiatrist and shoe blogger Dr. Colleen Schwartz tried a pair on for herself, both of these sentiments came to her mind.

 

"The beautiful BENDY sets the trend for a gorgeously refined yet casual, put-together look," Dr. Schwartz said on her blog, adding that she loves "how this elegant sneaker flat is made in California of transparent ethically sourced materials."

 

But the BENDY is far from the only shoe that Dr. Schwartz has reviewed. As a podiatrist, she uses her expertise on what makes a shoe good to suss out kicks for comfort, style and more. She does this all through DrColleenSchwartz.com, where people can "shoe shop with a foot doc."

 

Dr. Schwartz is More Than a Shoe Blogger Extraordinaire

 

Despite her status as a bona fide shoe blogger who's passionate about shoes, feet, wellness and biomechanics, Dr. Schwartz has a storied history that's made her who she is today.

 

She's a rare tumor survivor—a warrior, no less—who's currently on targeted tumor treatment.

 

Dr. Schwartz is joyful. She's resilient. She's energetic.

 

With a wide range of interests that include pilates physical rehab, acupuncture and primordial sound meditation (some very cool realms, if we do say so ourselves), Dr. Schwartz is anything but a one-trick pony.

 

And her passions aren't just in shoes, biomechanics and foot health, either.

 

"I love new beginnings from vegetable garden design simulation and caring for seedlings to harvesting and cooking. Creating meals straight from the garden and chicken coop is healthy and brings real joy to my family and friends," she says.

 

"I still laugh at the vivid memory of my six year old self screaming to my parents, 'I hate weeding, I hate onions, and this is so not fair!'"

 

After moving from California to central Iowa, Dr. Schwartz completed the Master Gardener Program and volunteered at a local university's botanical gardens. In her passion for gardening, she gets to live out her roles as joyful learner and persistent doer.

 

A One-of-a-Kind Business Model That Truly Fills a Gap

 

Dr. Schwartz has built an amazing business through her website. At its core, the platform is an affiliate shoe shopping site where she can review various brands and styles of shoes on look and function.

 

But as amazing as Dr. Schwartz' website is for folks with foot issues seeking answers on the fly, that's not all her platform is good for.

 

She offers one-on-one telehealth visits where patients can get totally personalized shoe recommendations. Dr. Schwartz bases her analysis on each individuals' foot function and shoe needs. And she knows that no two people are the same in any capacity, feet included.

 

Dr. Schwartz says, "With more shoe shopping online coupled with ease of telehealth consultations, I look forward to solving every client’s shoe dilemma virtually."

 

For anyone seeking an in-depth, personalized session with Dr. Schwartz, she's available for virtual shoe consultations via colleen@drcolleenschwartz.com.

 

How 'Faithful Gratitude' Makes a Difference for Dr. Schwartz

 

For Dr. Schwartz, each new day is "full of infinite possibility."

 

"Faithful gratitude inspires a sense of wholeness each day and seems to be my basis for hope and happiness," she says.

 

Her work aligns with her purpose, but it's not her whole purpose. Human connection—with friends, family, strangers and her rare tumor community—is the most important thing. Her work as a doctor and a healer helps her connect with others. And with a virtual platform, she can continue that connection even in the midst of a turbulent pandemic.

 

How the BENDY is Better — According to a Pro

 

Dr. Schwartz has a hand in collaborative research on human gait. As a podiatrist, she surrounds herself with information on feet and what it takes to have a healthy, well-functioning foundation.

 

In short, she knows what she's talking about.

 

"As a podiatrist, I see so many foot problems that could be avoided or eliminated by better shoe choices," says Dr. Schwartz.

 

On her blog, she shares, "For podiatrists, the word 'bendy' describing a shoe is typically not a winning combination for biomechanics or foot health. In fact, this is not the case with the BENDY shoe. While it is indeed true that good shoes should not be overly bendable particularly in the transverse mid foot or longitudinal axis, you can test your shoe by making sure it can’t be wrung out like a sponge.

 

As a podiatrist, I believe the high quality multi-laminar Ortholite insole makes this slip-on flat one of the most cushioned shoes in my closet. The insole is shape retaining, antimicrobial, moisture wicking and can be removed. The shock absorbing outsole and insole together put athletic shoe comfort into the sophisticated BENDY flat.

 

A proper bend in the forefoot near the ball of the foot is ideal. Despite the name, the BENDY shoe does not have an overly flexible sole, making it a very comfortable shoe good for your feet. So compared to my APMA Seal approved shoes, the BENDY shoe bends in just the right places."

 

 

 

Meet Kris Mae Weiss

 

This former NYC Elite Model turned photographer is a wife to a photographer and a grand daughter to a photographer. So it's no surprise she is comfortable in front of AND behind a camera. We knew this collab was going to be a good one!

 

As mom of a one and two year old, Kris knows that comfort is nonnegotiable these days. She shows off her personal style and black BENDYs four ways: Date night, heading the the farmers market and chillin' at home.

 

Her genuine smile, effortless vibe and beautiful photography come together in perfect harmony in these images.

 

And she has some pretty sweet words to describe her kicks too:

 

"They are THE MOST comfy shoes EVER".    - Kris Mae Weiss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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