TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR ROLE AT THE WALKING CRADLE COMPANY.
I am the Customer Service Specialist for all of the fantastic customers that shop walkingcradles.com & walkingcradleslastdance.com on a day-to-day basis! I also do a fair amount of work on the websites themselves, which also keeps me quite busy! Our weekly web meetings allow me to share my creative side, which is often permeated with “off the wall” or “punny” ideas. Sometimes those ideas are incorporated into the campaigns, sales and promotions we offer from month to month.
I also have the pleasure of working closely with almost every department here—one of the many perks of working for a small, tight-knit company like The Walking Cradle Company! Likewise, I enjoy working with our hard-working salesforce and our remarkable retail partners from across the country!
The most fulfilling part of what I do is working with others; Communication is key! I love the feedback involved in every aspect of my job and of course the people I have the pleasure to work with. I am so fortunate to work with so many women (and men too) that inspire me, each and every day! I have learned so very much, gained so much experience (both on and “off the job,”) and fostered new friendships and connections in the past five years; For these things, I am truly grateful!
TELL A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU ENJOY OUTSIDE OF WORK HOURS.
My primary hobby outside of work for the past two years has been navigating “wedding planning” during a pandemic. Admittedly, I’m driving my poor husband, Matt and my immediate family nutty--but COVID has necessitated drawing out the process! Nevertheless, Matt and I decided not to wait to make it “official” and married on our original date in May of 2020 in my parents’ backyard in the presence of God, our immediate family and close friends. At the onset of the pandemic we were fraught with worry, but as time progressed, we have considered the postponement a blessing rather than a curse. We consider ourselves lucky! In God’s appreciation for jubilation, we are set to have two celebrations—one with our immediate family and friends, and then again with our extended family and friends!
As newlyweds, Matt and I spend our time away from work spoiling our grumpy cat, Spencer and our sweet cuddly puppy, Macy! We also enjoy gardening when the weather permits and doing anything and everything outdoors with our best girl, Macy—whether it be barbecuing, walking, tennis, side-walk chalking, camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking! You name it!
At one point in time, “Brennan Farm” was my absolute favorite place in the world to be! Before it left our family in 2016, it was considered my Grandmother Rose & Great Aunt Sarah Jane’s farm (née Brennan); established by their Great Uncle John who came all the way from Kilkenny, Ireland in the mid-1800’s. I still think of the place fondly, especially on St. Patrick’s Day... After all, the main gravel road to the farm house and barns is still named “Dublin Road” to this very day.
In spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, I would like to share an Irish Blessing (sent from my marvelous Aunt Mary), with all of you:
"May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day. May songbirds serenade you every step along the way. May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue. And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through."
Below is a photo of the late Charlie Brown Bear, Matt & myself in front of a plot of pine trees my father planted in his early 20’s at the farm. They were nothing more than saplings, as tall as his waist when planted! As you can see by the photo--they have grown as tall as buildings since then!
TELL US ABOUT ANOTHER WOMAN WHO HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN YOUR LIFE AND HOW.
The woman that has played the most pivotal role in my life is my Mother, Elise. She has been such a shining example, yet a monumental support and comfort to me throughout the years. She had a flawless ability to manage being a devoted wife, while working full-time, and caring for two children (not to mention all the pets over the years—which were, at certain times, a fish, or a chameleon, and/or 2 guinea pigs, and/or 2 cats, and 1 dog).
Her beginnings also started in the shoe business! Her first job was working at Mr. Dave’s Shoe store. Later, she progressed in her career in Education, thanks to her patience, tenacity, persistence, and intelligence! She excelled and even put herself through college while working full-time! Coincidentally, my Mother and I graduated in the same class at Lindenwood University! It was a particularly special graduation ceremony for both of us for so many reasons.
All the while, as she progressed in her career, she saw our family through any of our troubles--and always with her head held high! She put up with nonsense from my brother and me, sure, but she was always patient and forgiving, yet serious in her encouragement to be kind to one another and take responsibility for our own actions.
She pushed us to succeed, but always reminded us to have fun! For example, I was anxious to get a job at 16, but she told me to take the time to pursue my hobbies and just “be a kid”— Play lacrosse, run cross country, join the honor society, be in school plays, hang out with my friends! She would always say, “You have your whole adult life to work, Angela.” We were only able to have such a fulfilling childhood and truly “be kids” because she and my Father were willing to work so hard on our behalf.
As Matt and I work towards having a family of our own, (we aren’t sure when, where or how), but if and when we do, I hope and pray I can be as amazing of a wife, mother and human being as my Mother. I often tell myself I would be so lucky to be half the woman she is.
Words simply cannot express the significance of her positive impact on my life and those who are lucky enough to know her! I consider myself so very blessed to be her daughter and am eternally grateful for having the privilege of calling her “Mom.”
IF YOU COULD GIVE ANY ADVICE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
Focus and keep your priorities in order, but do not be too hard on yourself! Everything is in God’s timing, not yours! Be patient and have faith!
BEFORE WORKING AT WALKING CRADLES, DID YOU CONSIDER THE IMPORTANCE OF SHOES FITTING PROPERLY AND COMFORTABLY? IF YES, WHEN AND WHERE DID YOU LEARN THIS VALUABLE INFORMATION. IF NO, TELL US HOW IT HAS CHANGED YOUR THOUGHTS ON FOOTWEAR?
I did consider the importance of comfortable and properly fitting shoes when I was running for the high-school cross country team. I was suffering from terrible shin-splints! Upon the recommendation of either my Mom or my coach (I can’t remember), we took a trip to Fleet-Feet where they measured and fitted me for a new pair of properly fitting running shoes—and voila! The painful shin-splints disappeared! This is when I realized how important it is to wear quality, comfortable, properly-fitting shoes for whatever the task—but it has resonated with me even more since working for The Walking Cradle Company! People often do not realize how very important it is!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WALKING CRADLES SHOE AND WHY?
Tough question! There are so many great styles that Walking Cradles’ offers! My most recent favorite is the Orleans Slip-On Sneaker in the Tie Dye Multi Stretch Fabric! Why?!? Because tie-dye, that’s why!!! I have been known to bring my buckets, spray bottles, rubber bands, gloves, and dye into work for everyone for a tie-dye party…Pictured below are a few photos from my tie-dying adventures!
I wish I could say we hand-dyed the shoes, but alas, we did not…We left the beautiful design to Jamie & the flawless production to our experts in Brazil! Not to mention all the comfort & quality features that are incorporated into the construction of the Orleans; The Orleans is our top selling style for so many reasons!
As we welcome Spring & Summer, I can't wait to wear the Keegan wedge! My "go-to" to add height are wedges! They are easy to walk in and so comfortable! The Keegan is adorably detailed with perforated and crisscrossed genuine nubuck leather uppers, an adjustable buckle--and constructed with our signature Tiny Pillows foot-bed technology on top of a cork wedge! I will definitely be wearing a wedge similar to this during our upcoming reception!
I am also eyeing the Foster in the Luggage Woven Leather. I love wearing a quality, comfortable loafer...Not to mention, I feel like a "golightly" when wearing Walking Cradles like these...The woven look adds just the right amount of texture and interest to an otherwise very plain (but oh, so comfortable and versatile) shoe! It can pair with so many outfits! I know I will make it from point A to point B in total comfort and with a touch of class in the Foster.
– Walking Cradles is so thankful to Angela for keeping our amazing customers connected with our Walking Cradles community & making sure they are 100% satisfied with their purchases. She is a total team player- available to assist and jump in on any projects we have! She brings such a positive, bubbly vibe to our office, that never goes unnoticed!
We've had such a lovely couple of weeks sharing a little bit about all the wonder women behind Walking Cradles! Thank you so much for getting to know us, and for continuing to support this incredible company! We truly could not do it without you!
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