It all started with a pair of Manolo Blahniks, or rather the lack thereof. When Sally De Rosa, president and CEO of Rent A Shoe, got married, she wanted to wear a pair of satin Manolos. They were about $800. Unwilling to pay the full price, she wore a pair of no-name shoes.

Two years later, with the help and inspiration from her friends, Sally has now opened Rent A Shoe, an online shop that gives everyday fashionistas the option to rent designer shoes for a fraction of the retail price. Launched May 2014, the Canadian company offers over 20 designers, including Gucci, Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo.

The shop’s first transaction was perfect: a bride found herself in Sally’s shoes, yearning for a pair of designer heels she could not afford. Since Rent A Shoe did not have them in stock, the bride used the site’s Request A Shoe function and her request was met within 24 hours. “We were able to make a bride’s shoe story happen,” says Sally.

Sally De Rosa, president and CEO of Rent A Shoe.

Revising their product line quarterly, Rent A Shoe keeps its customers up-to-date with fashion trends.

When a shopper orders a shoe, it’s polished, UVC sanitized and delivered in a carefully wrapped pink bag. When they are ready to return the pair, customers simply ship the product back using a prepaid packing slip. Currently, the company ships within Canada, but has plans to expand into the U.S.

By shopping at Rent A Shoe, customers save money, reduce their closet clutter and support great causes, with a portion of the profits going to the Canadian Women’s Foundation as well as Plan Canada’s Because I am a Girl project.

“For me it was always important to make [it] a social enterprise, so part of the profits went to a charity. The first thing that came to mind was Because I am a Girl, because I support it personally,” Sally continues. “But not everyone who wants to donate money wants it to go outside the country and with Because I am a Girl we’re sponsoring a specific girl in Ethiopia. So, by bringing in the Canadian Women’s Foundation we re-localized the charity.” For Sally, part of shopping at Rent A Shoe means, “You’re giving back to the community while wearing some stylish shoes.”

Sally says that giving back to charity is an important part of the company’s concept.

“Being lifted by a really great pair of shoes makes you look classy and feel feminine,” she adds. So go ahead and take some fabulous heels for a spin!

Exclusive to FAJO readers is a 50% discount on all rentals or purchases at Rent A Shoe. Simply enter code “FAJOMAG″ when making a purchase. Happy shopping!

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