Page 26
December 2004
The AC Phoenix
Beatrice Hardee
SHOE LOVER’S
PARADISE, INC.
By Beatrice Hardee, Owner
SHOE LOVER’S PARADISE, INC. officially
opened its doors to the public for operation
November 27, 2004 at Flea Country USA. We
are located in the Pine brook Shopping Center
off Patterson Avenue.
The idea to start my own business came to
me during one of my many workout runs. I
had been in prayer for God to give me
direction about my career. He spoke to me
during my workout run on June 19, 2003 and
said start a shoe business. Of course I
continued to pray for confirmation and direction. So really, my
business comes out of much prayer and being obedient. A few
days later God gave me the name for my business, “Shoe Lover’s
Paradise”. I have always had a tremendous love and passion for
shoes. Thus the name was perfect and it has just stuck with me
all this time. They say if it came from God you will not be able to
let it go. I have not been able to shake the vision God gave me
and he just continued to give me direction through this process.
He has opened so many avenues and doors for this vision to
become a reality.
In my conversations with the master and saying I know
nothing about starting a shoe business and still seeking direction
now that he has told me what to do; He said to buy the shoe busi
ness up the street from my house. This revelation just blew my
mind. Questioning God, I said I don’t even know these people
and I had only shop there once. I could never catch the store
open for business. I kept saying I don’t know if these people want
to sell their business. The Lord said, “They want to sell”. One
evening I left a note in the door for the owners to call me. Over a
month passed still no call and I kept checking in the evenings and
Saturday off and on for someone to be there and never could
catch anyone at the store. One particular Saturday as I cleaning
my house God spoke and said go the store now someone is there
and of course I kept on cleaning thinking I was hearing things and
after the third time I dropped what I was doing, told my daughter
I was going to run to the shopping center for a few minutes and
went the store and sure enough there was someone there. I went
in and introduced myself to the lady working and she said she
gave my note I left to the owners. She asked had they not called
me back yet and I said no not yet. She said she would mention it
to them again. In my visit and during the course of our conversa
tion out of the blue she said 1 don’t know why you want to see the
owner, but I think they want to sell this business if you are
interested. Can you imagine how I felt? I almost screamed with
excitement and joy. A year later around the end of June 2004 I
made an official offer to purchase the entire business and they
accepted at the end of June. So, it was almost a year to the day
when God gave me the vision to start this wonderful opportunity.
To God Be the Glory!
During this time I have traveled to New York to the various
markets to purchase the most upscale/unique shoes and hand
bags to offer on this side of the Carolina’s. I believe, “The girl/
person that finds the RIGHT pair of shoes, finds BLISS.”
Shoe Lover’s Paradise is a legitimate upscale shoe business
that just happens to be located inside the flea market. While there
are things from the closet and “what knots” as my Grandmother
used to say, there are legitimate business such as mine located
inside as well. I want the public to know, you’ve tried the mall and
other stores; visit Shoe Lover’s Paradise for much more of what
you are looking for. We have shoes that will cure the Blues.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to share my testimony
and God’s vision for my career.
A message to all of
our valued
friends...
Is there anything
above peace or
beneath hope?
At This Time Of Year...
Thoughts turn to loved ones, both past and present.
Of happy childhood memories. Unwrapping toys, helping with
the baking and licking the bowl. Remember always their kindness
and love. Sweet times gone by.
Thanks for looking to us in times of loss and sorrow,
Merry Christmas
FROM THE STAFF OF
822 CARL RUSSELL AVENUE • WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27101
PHONE (336) 722-3459 • FAX (336) 631-8268 • PAGER (336) 631-7343
This Year, Share the Season
With Someone Special