Stylish Entrepreneur Takes One Step Forward

BOARDMAN, Ohio – A love for shoes and a passion for people led Shalayah Sanders to take a step towards her future as an entrepreneur.

One Step Forward, a shoe store in the Southern Park Mall, opened its doors in 2018. Sanders, store owner, says she was inspired by the amount of comments she receives on her stylish footwear.

“I’ve always loved shoes and people would always tell me ‘Oh my God, you have the cutest shoes,’” Sanders says. “And I kept thinking about it and decided I wanted a shoe business, and I just like retail and customer service.”

Sanders says she started with the goal of selling a variety of shoes at an affordable price.

One Step Forward sells a variety of women’s shoes from tennis shoes, special occasion shoes, boots and flip-flops. It also has a selection for younger girls and carries jewelry and handbags. She says many retail outlets price gouge, and everyone deserves a place to shop for trendy styles at a reasonable price.

“I don’t want to make prices to the point where women can’t come and shop or they can’t relate because some women like higher heels and some like flats,” she says. “I want to cover everything and every woman.”

One Step Forward’s location is moving to another storefront in the mall within the next few weeks. She says the new storefront will have a “different look and be more upscale,” but she’ll keep the same quality and approach.

Sanders says business has been great, and some customers have turned into good friends. She says she’s excited for the growth, expansion and many more years in business.

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of stories about the companies highlighted in the Western Reserve Transit Authority’s “Give Small Business a Lift Campaign.”

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.