Little SOHLS
Little SOHLS is a children’s footwear brand that focuses on creating comfortable, stylish, and foot-friendly shoes for little ones. We design and manufacture shoes that support healthy foot development for both first walkers (0-2 years) and big explorers (2-5 years), helping parents provide the best start for their children’s feet.
What inspired the idea for your business?
The idea for Little SOHLS came from a personal experience. After having my eldest child, I found myself constantly frustrated by ill-fitting shoes that seemed to wear out faster than they should and also cause multiple tantrums when putting shoes on! I wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice with my second child. I wanted to create shoes that were not only cute and stylish but also promoted healthy foot development. Little SOHLS was born from the desire to offer parents better choices for their children's first steps. Something I wish I had at an easy, accessible and affordable price 3.5 years ago!
Where is the business now? And where is it headed?
Little SOHLS is steadily growing and gaining recognition for its focus on quality shoes designed for foot health. We have recently expanded our product line to offer two new series, along with an additional range of sizes, designs, and colors that cater to different stages of foot development. Our new Velcro series, one of the first of its kind in Australia, was specifically designed for first walkers (0-2 years). In the future, we aim to become a trusted name in children's footwear, releasing new styles while maintaining our commitment to both foot health and style, with a broader reach to parents around the world.
How does your brand differentiate itself in the market?
Our focus on healthy foot development sets us apart from many children’s shoe brands. We design shoes that prioritize comfort, flexibility, and support, ensuring they promote natural foot movement. While other brands may offer similar products, we keep our shoes accessible and affordable. As parents ourselves, we understand the cost of living and strive to provide shoes that support both children’s foot health and family budgets. We're constantly connecting with and learning from our customers, and recently developed an exclusive Velcro series for first walkers, designed with their feedback.
Can you share the challenges you've encountered and how you've navigated them?
A major challenge has been finding the right balance between style, quality, and affordability. High-quality shoes can be expensive, but we believe in making healthy, well-designed footwear accessible to all parents. We’ve overcome this by carefully selecting materials, optimizing production processes, and staying true to our core values of foot health and comfort. One of our key strengths has been our ability to stay connected with our customers and listen to their feedback, allowing us to continually improve.
What have been your key strengths and weaknesses, and what have you learned from them?
Our key strength is our commitment to community. By actively listening to our customers, we’ve been able to craft two new series designed by and for them. A weakness has been scaling our production and keeping stock levels consistent. This has taught us the importance of building strong, reliable relationships with our manufacturers and constantly analyzing data and trends to support peak products.
What are the core values and principles that shape your brand's decision-making process?
Our core values are centered around quality, affordability, and customer trust. We are committed to providing shoes that not only support children’s foot development but are also made efficiently and affordably to ensure accessibility for all parents. Every decision we make—from product design to packaging—is guided by these principles.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to start their own business?
My advice is to start with a passion or a problem that drives you. Don’t be afraid to fail; every setback is a learning experience. Stay true to your vision, listen to your customers, and be patient—it takes time to build something meaningful. And most importantly, stay flexible and be willing to adapt as you grow.
What achievement are you most proud of in your business journey?
The achievement I’m most proud of is seeing how Little SOHLS has made a difference in parents’ lives. Hearing from customers about how much their kids love wearing our shoes, and knowing that we've played a part in supporting their foot development, is incredibly rewarding. It’s a reminder that what started as a solution to my own frustration has grown into something that genuinely helps other families.
Another huge achievement was being recognized and featured in VOGUE and Vanity Fair just six months after our product launch. We were also honored to be named a finalist in Waverley Council’s Best and Brightest Business Awards for E-commerce. These recognitions continue to affirm that our hard work and exceptional product are being noticed by industry leaders