Anna Pops, whatisda?

11/06/18

A super conversation with the madams of Maison Slash

Read with us what we have shared with Maison Slash as parentpreneur...

ANNAPOPS, whatisda?
Annapops is an experienced store with personalized shoes for your kids, but also unique children's clothes and silly accessories. We sell children's shoes from size 16, but also the moms can expand their shoe collection here! At Annapops you will find outfits for 2 to 14-year-olds. But older sons and daughters also like to come here, so soon the supply will - literally - grow to 18 years.

Out of mind of? 
Fashionable, driven and with a great sense of style: that's Tina, a 36-year-old girl's mom. Her daughters Loïs and Fauve will soon be 6 and 8. It's a shame she has only discovered her entrepreneurial side at a later age. She holds a bachelor's degree in construction and should, therefore, have become a site manager. Were things different for a while! After some real estate sales, the sale of kitchens and a job in the city, she now has her own shop. From real job hopper to parentpreneur, so! 

How it all started
The idea for the shop came after the birth of our eldest daughter. The classic story: we didn't find a decent, cool children's shoe for her in Aalst. After a search that seemed to last forever, we ended up in Ghent. There I found my appetite. But whether I really wanted to drive that far every time for a new couple! And so my husband and I decided to start a shop ourselves: why not, together, we as a couple? And so we opened a tiny business, just at our home, in a street where few shoppers actually come. So that quickly called for an online launch: we had to make ourselves heard on the global web! Our e-shop also saw the light of day in this way. The name Annapops? We devised these on holiday in France. We got to know a British family there: that mother spoke to her daughter with pops and we thought that was an extremely cute trout name. One came to the other. 

What are the reactions?
We sell beautiful shoes. And the advantage is that they actually sell themselves. Every small customer later becomes a living advertising board: they get compliments and people ask where they found those nice walkers. That's how they end up with us. Parents also like to come here because they have so much confidence in our taste so some of them let their children choose from our wide range. And then those little ones are so happy they were allowed to choose by themselves and mom and dad go home satisfied. No quarreling, pure fun! 

What is ANNAPOPS for you?
Annapops collects shoes that are beautiful and good at the same time: crafty and honestly made shoes that are lovable for children's feet. Our range of outlet shoes (- 50%) is also wide which allow moms and dads with a smaller budget also to choose quality. I want everyone to feel welcome here and love it when customers take their time. Something that is not always easy with children. Now, we only have the possibility to take a coffee in quiet moments, but in the future, we would also like to provide tables, chairs, and stacks of newspapers. So parents and children can relax before, during or after browsing through all the nice corners of the shop. 

What is your ultimate dream?
In order to make it a real experience store, we need more space. And we've found it, so our plans for the future are bubbling! I see Annapops as a wonderful meeting place where you can stay long and relaxed with the whole family. And what else? A second shop in a real big city! Although I feel that a conversation with the skillful boys is needed. Have a good chat with people who do know how to draw up a business plan and how to deal with larger budgets! Until now we did everything on our senses and did not take any major risks, but for the next steps, I can use some help. 

I am a slash parent/parent and also want good children's shoes.  What should I pay attention to?
The ideal children's shoe is one made of leather. That natural material is the best way to serve those small sweaty feet. Don't forget that children sweat much easier than adults and that their shoe closet is usually a lot smaller (which makes them less likely to alternate). In addition, a sturdy heel piece is important to absorb shocks and only the nose may fold. Fabrics sneakers that you can wring out like a mop are a no go. Always measure children's feet before you shop (or have them measured in the shop) and provide a growth margin of 1 centimeter. And then this last, but oh so important tip: let your kids walk on barefoot often enough. This gives them firm muscles for their feet. Hippie hop! 

GDPR

04/05/18

General Data Protection Regulation


GDPR is a European law for the protection of privacy. Because many people want their privacy, we would like to inform you about how we handle the data we collect. We believe that our Anna Pops fans have a right to the protection of their personal data and we have modified our privacy statement on our new site. We promise that we will protect your personal data and will never share or sell it to third parties. 

More information about our privacy statement? Contact us by e-mail.

Our own shoe collection

26/03/18

Ocra by Pops

We have a weakness for unique shoes, you already knew that. It was a matter of time before we released our own collection. In May last year, we visited the factory of shoe manufacturer Ocra in Italy and the idea grew to design a small collection exclusively for our customers. Together with the factory, we looked for quality leather, a refined finish, and of course an excellent fit.


Mini Collection
During the design process, we paid attention for proportions: the height of the shoe, distance from the nose to the onset of the fasteners, the thickness of the sole, etc. The result is a mini collection of 9 different shoes in different sizes. Timeless models with an original choice of lace positions and materials. We choose for example materials who change color according to the light that falls on them. There is a first step and a derby. The shoes are available online as well as in the shop in Aalst.

The connection 3.0

22/03/18

Where taste makers meet fashion makers

The connection 2018 is over! That this 3rd edition was successful again is also shown by the turnout. More than 600 curious people came on Friday evening. They were able to enjoy the spring and summer collections of 2018. In addition, the attendees have had a real total experience: taste makers meet fashion makers! 
The ultimate experience this year consisted of:
* 5 stages dressed as green islands spread over 2 halls;
* 5 families who showed the collections;
* Food of l'Histoire 32 and Cheeses of Van Tricht
* Music by DJ R. Rolex

Women's clothing and accessories from Bogaert, clothes for men from Pastoor, spectacles and sunglasses from Pupil, children's shoes and clothing from Anna Pops, hairstyles through Le Salon. 

All this is made possible thanks to: Bogaert (women), Pastoor (men), Pupil (optics), l'Histoire 32 (food & drinks), Puur groen (green setting) and le Salon (hairstyles). 
This year we have been able to call on a number of experts who have assisted us: De Filatuur, De Kringwinkel Teleshop, Cîme and Kazen Van Tricht. We are also very grateful for all the help behind the scenes and from all the super models.

Thanks to all visitors for making another great edition of it... On to the next one!
... we are already very proud,
Anna Pops

5 rules of thumb

11/12/17

by podologist Kaat Parmentier



5 rules of thumb for a good children's shoe

1. A children's shoe must be of the right size in length, width and height. Also provide sufficient height for the toes.

2. The ideal children's shoe is closed at the back. It has a barely to impressable heel closure/contrefort as well as a good fit around the heel.

3. A child's shoe must bend in the right place: just at the level of the toes so that the foot can roll off normally. There must also be no torsion (twisting) in the longitudinal direction. In other words, you may not be able to swing the shoe out like a mop.

4. Children's shoes should preferably have an adjustable closure: laces or velcro. Button your laces, otherwise your shoe will fall off your foot and the foot will not be stable.

5. Does your child do sport? Make sure you have an adapted sports shoe: a running shoe for walking, a tennis shoe for playing tennis, a football shoe for playing football.... 

WoW what a brand

09/12/16

Nathalie Verlinden

Women's shoes / children shoes / ecological / fantastically beautiful / ... but what else? We fired nine questions to her ...


1.How would you describe your role within ‘Nathalie Verlinden’ – the brand?

I am a busy bee and like to do a bit of everything. I do the design, sales, follow up the manufacturing process in Italy, I take care of the transport and billing but above all, I am a mother. 


2. Where did it all begin? What is the reason you do what you do? What makes you so passionate?

The start was very impulsive. I just followed my gut feeling, but making shoes has proven to be tremendously captivating.


3. If ever you had the chance to travel continuously, what would be the first place you would visit? 

There are so many beautiful and interesting places, but Canada and Argentina are on my to do list. 


4. How does your day start? 

I take breakfast with my 11 year old daughter while we listen to the radio. I always eat a self composed bowl of cereals. 


5. What or who inspires you? 

That varies. It all depends on my focus during that period. It might be art or architecture but also nature or landscapes. 


6. What is your favorite piece of design or art?

I find it very difficult to chose only one piece. One of my favorite designs is the Japanese tea pot by Katsufumi Baba and I bought a few art works recently by John Van Oers, a sculptor from Antwerp. 


7. What is your most beautiful creation so far? 

Again? So hard to chose! I think I am just very proud of the philosophy behind the collection, the eco-friendly way of producing. It is all about quality of life. I am always looking for new and better designs and consider business and the impact it has on the quality of our lives. It is a constant struggle, finding this balance. The importance is doing things better, not just more! 


8. What would be your advise for a young starter, seen from your perspective?  

Passion is not enough. I work in an emotionally driven market, the fashion and luxury industry. Economic times are uncertain, so a longterm vision and strategy are undispensable, in order to survive unforeseen storms.  


9.Do you have any other creative kills that you would elaborate? 

Yes, every season, but I remind myself everytime that the cobbler needs to stick to his last.

Shop: Eugeen Bosteelsstraat 10, Aalst - order@annapops.be - +32(0)53 41 57 39 - open from Wed to Sat, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.