Faith-Based Friends Create Shoe Company in their Community
Shirmodda Robinson (L) and Cynthia Matthews (R) holding one of their shoes in the Abana Shoes store. (Picture by Henrietta Wildsmith)
Two friends allowed their faith and perseverance to help build a shoe company that gives back to their community in Shreveport, Louisiana. Shirmodda Robinson and Cynthia Matthews created the shoe company Abana, which reflects their community in Shreveport and highlights their unique personalities.
The business partners were store managers at the Shreveport Foot Locker in 2004. Robinson grew up in a single-parent household, struggling financially. In comparison, Matthews grew up in poverty in Alabama and suffered through an abusive relationship for over 13 years. However, the two bonded over their similarities and understood their neighbors' struggles in their community.
"My heart goes out to any individual who is hurting or in need," Matthews said.
The store managers were able to reach out to the community’s youth at the Foot Locker store. One day, four boys came into the store asking to try on multiple pairs of shoes. While the managers were getting the shoes, three of the boys were gone, along with several pairs of shoes.
"We always treat every customer, regardless of their age, as if they are important and as if they matter," Matthews said.
Instead of calling the police, Robinson told the boy that didn't leave if they brought back the shoes by the end of the day, she would not call the police. One of the boys returned the stolen pairs of shoes. Robinson sat him down and explained to him why they should not steal. He replied that they took the shoes because they did not have any shoes and the kids in the neighborhood bullied and teased them. That day Robinson bought the stolen pairs of shoes for the young boys out of her pocket.
The owners of Abana Shoes. (Picture by Henrietta Wildsmith)
This event sparked the idea of designing their footwear Abana Shoes. The name Abana means made of stone. Abana derives from the Bible, 2 Kings 5:12, stating: "Its modern name is Barada, the Chrysorrhoas, or "golden stream," of the Greeks. It rises in a cleft of the Anti-Lebanon range, about 23 miles northwest of Damascus. After flowing southward for a little way parts into three smaller streams, the central one flowing through Damascus, and the other two other cities, diffusing beauty and ferover the years fertility where otherwise there would be barrenness."
Robinson said the name also means constant and everlasting.
"We see Abana as an inspiration, being positive and using the business as an avenue to help others," she said. "It's not about selling the shoe. It's the message behind the shoe."
Lacking resources and capital, it took Robinson and Matthews over a decade to release a line of footwear and sell them online. However, while achieving their dreams, the friends blessed others. The entrepreneurs would do giveaways in the community and donate shoes in Caddo Parish and Bossier Parish in Louisiana.
Matthews believes that their entrepreneurial journey is a new beginning for them. She said that God had shown his favor to the vision that he has put into the plan.
"When God gives you a vision, you must go after it even when it seems like you don't have the means. You walk and work by faith," Matthews said.
The Shreveport natives wanted to continue to give back to their community, so for every pair of shoes purchased, a portion of the proceeds helps a family in need.
To order a pair of Abana shoes, check out their online store or go to their physical store in Bossier City, Louisiana.