Would you please say "hello" to South Korean young entrepreneurs and your feeling about Korea?

Of course I say hello, and I wish the best of luck to all young entrepreneurs worldwide!

What inspired you to start Kathryn Kerrigan, Inc?

I was tired of finding very few options for my size 11 feet.  Just like many other women, I love beautiful footwear!  Unfortunately, many brands do not carry larger sizes.  I decided to fill this void and allow women of all sizes to wear fabulous shoes!

Tell us a bit about yourself - your background and education?

m from Libertyville - a city outside of Chicago, Illinois.  I attended Lake Forest College where I studied pre-law.  Later in 2005, I received a Masters in Business from Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois.

Tell us about some unexpected problems that you have faced after starting your business and what you have learned from that.

Starting, owning, and running a business is an exciting challenge.  I definitely thought I would achieve success with a few years of starting.  While I have had great success thus far, I know it's an ongoing process to get to where I want to be in the fashion industry.

I have seen loads of shoe lines come out of Korea and all over the world in the past year, what makes your business different and unique?

We pride ourselves in providing fashionable footwear options to women in sizes 5-15 - a span of sizes broader than ma other companies.  Furthermore, our shoes are hand-crafted with premium materials by Spain and Italy's finest craftsmen.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy?

PR & Social Media

What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?

The has to be a priority.  Consequently, the time with my friends and family decreased.  Also the first three-five years are about understanding your finances - professionally and financially, and learning how to balance the two.

How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?

We try to find people that share a similar vision, love for fashion, and a 21st century work-ethic.

What advise do you give women who want to start their ow successful business?

Research, research, research!  Learn as much about the industry that excites you, as you can.  This may mean taking classes or working in the industry.  Expose yourself to all that you can, so you can find your niche and truly develop a passion that will blossom into a successful future.

What is the best way to achieve long-term success?

Never lose sight of your goal.  Over-night success is nearly impossible.  You need to put your heart into your work.  If you do - it will reward you in the end.

What advice do you have to Korean University students on how to spend time in their youth and university life?

Learn as much as you can and experience as much as you can.  Try to study abroad, learn about various employment opportunities and environments, and a multitude of cultures.

Do you have any plans (personal or business) that you can share with us about your future plans/goals/lifetime goals?

We are looking forward to see where the future of Kathryn Kerrigan, Inc goes!  At the end of April, we are opening a store in Winnipeg, Canada.  Following this opening, we will be expanding with more stores across the United States, and eventually around the world!

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