Today we’d like to introduce you to Vicky Hayes.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Vicky. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In 2002 I was injured on the job working for the telephone company. An extension ladder was dropped on the side of my ankle and it damaged the nerves and broke two bones by my toes. It was after two surgeries to repair… I was stuck in a walking boot and crutches where my life was just put on hold. It was just a few months that I stumbled across a vender booth at a festival where they had the strangest looking shoes, and I was offed the chance to wear them around a bit. It was almost instantly that my ‘good leg’ felt relief of having ALL the weight carried on it… and the bad foot was also a noticeable improvement very quick.
So I bought the craziest looking shoe – for what I thought was a fortune at the time, and within a week, I could stand longer, take less medication and feel like moving around again. Everywhere I went, someone would ask me about the shoes… so I began to research them, flew to Albuquerque, the Z-Coil Headquarters and decided to open the store in Houston. I felt very strong about how much the shoes have helped me – and every week I’ve have the store… I help so many people feel better and stay active, without medication. I have a passion for it and just cannot describe the feeling when someone breaks out in tears because they are walking without pain, or can stand straight up, or can enjoy their life after working all day on their feet – when they get home and can still play with the kids or just ‘live’.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Yes, it was a pretty smooth road for the first 5 years. Introducing the crazy shoes to the Houston’s’ 3+ Million people was spreading like wildfire and even the hospital district was enjoying the shoes. With a partner, we opened a store in Houston, League City and The Woodlands spanning from 2003-2010. In 2008 my mother became ill and late in the year I moved home for about 6 months. In that time, my partner quit and ended up filing Bankruptcy and all of the stores we closed by the middle of 2010. I lost everything.
It was after working back in Corporate America that a good friend reminded me of the passion I had for my customers and shoe store…. helping people was my thing. So, in early 2016 I reopened my Crazy Coil Shoe Store and have been working diligently to re-establish my connections and working on getting the work out again. With the shoes, I also carry Custom Fitted Insoles that are latterly formed to the foot here in the store. The road back has not been an easy one, as the fear of success again, and the chance of losing it again is always on my mind. However, I have always been a fighter.
Crazy Coil Shoes & Insoles – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Z-Coil Pain Relief Footwear as designed to help with back, leg and foot pain. I specialize in making the proper adjustments for my customers to help reduce their pain by at least 50%. I say fifty percent because that is a ‘real goal’… and there are many times the pain is gone completely. However, I never like to make those promises. I am known for my patients with customers and listening to their words and symptoms. These shoes are not a ‘normal shoe out of a box’, they can be custom adjusted for the ‘person’. That is what makes them special.
The Footbalance Custom Fitted Insoles that I carry are also ‘Custom’ molded here in the store and available to take out in about 15 minutes. I have a device that shows foot pressures and takes photos to see how much change is in a person’s gait. Then the insoles are molded using a specially designed memory foam bedding that allows the insoles Perfect Fit for the customers. They can go in ‘any’ shoe… not just Z-Coils. So runners, bikers, sports, golf… or just work shoes, the insoles balance the foot pressure immediately.
What sets me apart from others is my experience, patience working to find a solution together, understanding of body mechanics and the overall desire to improve a person’s quality of life without medication.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is being happy with your ‘whole self’ and taking that to work with you. I don’t just ‘go to a job’, I am the job. It is a daily commitment to do my best for my customers… and I love it. When I get home and take care of my daughter, providing her with a secure environment and see her happy – I feel very successful. Of course the business needs to be profitable, and when you know you are doing your best – and doing the right thing… the profits come. People talk and my referral business is like none other. That is always at tell tale of how you are doing, when people share their stories and send their friends to you because of how and what you did for them – success.
Pricing:
- Z-Coil shoes range from $199-$339 and I offer a $10 coupon with all advertising
- Footbalance Custom Insoles are $97 and are Full Foot. They usually start at $250+ from the doctors office
- Z-Coil referral system – Once you get a pair, 10 referrals and you get a free pair
Contact Info:
- Address: 9121 Stella Link Rd, Ste C
Houston, Texas 77025 - Website: www.crazycoil.com
- Phone: 713-592-0050
- Email: vicky@crazycoil.com
- Facebook: crazy coil shoes and insoles
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
