Insights & Stories
Explore insightful articles on lymphatic health, customer testimonials, product innovations, and practical how-to guides in our comprehensive blog. Discover valuable resources to enhance your understanding and management of the Lymphesphere
Insights & Stories
on Nov 19, 2019
ANCHORAGE (KTUU) - Getting a business idea off the ground and turning it into a successful product is no easy task, but one Alaskan company, Pandere Shoes, was able to do just that.
They started by identifying a problem.
“I've had difficulty finding shoes to fit my feet for the last 40 years, because I have a medical condition called lymphedema, so one foot is chronically swollen," said Pandere CEO Laura Oden.
Insights & Stories
How to Keep Retired Feet Happy
on Nov 19, 2019
Now that you have finally reached the long-awaited milestone of retirement, nothing stands between you and everything you never had enough free time for – travel, golf, gardening, maybe even ballroom dancing.
Nothing, that is, except your tired, aching feet.
Foot problems are a common complaint among retirees. Like every other part of the body, our feet suffer from the effects of aging too:
Insights & Stories
Pandere (Latin) – To Stretch, Expand or Unfold
on Oct 30, 2019
When we began working on a concept for stylish, expandable shoes in 2016, we knew we needed the perfect name – one that would capture both the unique qualities of our product and our mission to give people their mobility and dignity back.
Over the next two years, as we worked on our first prototype, we talked with hundreds of women across the country who were fed up with being forgotten by the shoe industry. Our co-founder Laura Oden understood the frustration. Laura has had lymphedema for 40 years and had always struggled to find shoes that fit.
Insights & Stories
on Oct 24, 2019
Do you feel like you’re trying to force a round peg into a triangular-shaped hole when you slip your shoes on every morning? Are your feet discolored or do they have indentations from your shoes when you finally take them off at the end of a long day?
Even if you don’t think of your feet as wide, you might need wide shoes.
Insights & Stories
on Oct 11, 2019
Like many others living with lower limb lymphedema, I struggle when it comes to footwear. Most of my swelling is in my right foot and ankle, so finding a shoe that comfortably fits is a challenge. And finding a shoe that’s stylish, too? Forget it.
I’m always on the lookout for lymphie-friendly footwear, so when my friends at Pandere reached out to me asking if I’d be interested in trying their latest style on for size, I was ecstatic.
Insights & Stories
on Oct 04, 2019
The Foot Freedom Almanac’s Guide to Buying Shoes for Wide Feet
As much as 72 percent of people don’t wear shoes that are wide enough or long enough for their feet. The same 2018 study, published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, found substantial evidence demonstrating that ill-fitting shoes are associated with foot pain and a number of foot disorders. Do you have wide feet?
Insights & Stories
on Sep 30, 2019
I’m not sure if Jonathan and I just have really big feet or we just keep moving to countries where people have tiny feet. Whatever the reason, buying shoes is always a nightmare.
When our new friends from Pandere Shoes contacted us and said, ‘Hey, we have a new range of shoes perfect for travelling. Want to try them?’
We didn’t need to be asked twice. Um, but we did wonder if they cater for size enormous feet.
Insights & Stories
7 Ways to Treat Your Feet During Pregnancy
on Aug 26, 2019
Finding comfort during pregnancy isn’t always easy, but soothing tired feet is. Here are 7 ways to treat those tired feet - because a relaxed mama means a relaxed baby!
Insights & Stories
Baby Boomster blog feature - August 14, 2019
on Aug 15, 2019
When Pandere offered to send me samples of their expandable shoes, I was thrilled because, as a woman over 50, my feet have become more uncomfortable with age. Aching arches, sore heels, and occasional swelling are all part of growing older. I want comfortable shoes that fit and adjust to whatever my feet decide to torture me within any given day.
But, as a woman who doesn’t want to look like a clodhopper in “granny” shoes, it’s always exciting when you can find expandable shoes that don’t look ugly and are stylish as well.
Read the post here.
Insights & Stories
Five Shoe Features You Need If You Have Wide Feet
on Aug 01, 2019
It’s important for anyone to wear shoes that fit well, but for those of us with wide feet, this can be a tall order. If you have wide feet, we’ve got you covered. Here are five shoe features to look for when shopping for shoes:
Insights & Stories
Shopping for the Real You blog - April 11, 2019
on Apr 11, 2019
And then I found this company, Pandere.
This is the shoe for the egalitarian, utilitarian, hipster in you. And they look very comfortable.
Read the post here.
Insights & Stories
on Nov 01, 2018
Laura Oden, co-founder of Pandere, has had lymphedema for 35 years. She is a healthcare business planner by day and a singer-songwriter by night.
Celia Crosset, co-founder of Pandere, holds two and a half Master's degrees. She is a healthcare business planner by day and a competitive weightlifter by night.
Ayla Rogers, co-founder of Pandere, is an entrepreneur and real estate licensee by day and an investment strategist by night.
Insights & Stories
on Sep 28, 2018
Geekwire featured the Ready Set Raise accelerator program of the Female Founders Alliance where Pandere Shoes was a participant.
Pandere Shoes (Anchorage, AK): Expandable shoes for people with foot and health challenges.
Laura Oden has lymphedema, which causes swelling in her feet and prevents her from fitting into regular shoes. As a long-time entrepreneur, she decided to create a more comfortable solution for herself and the 43 million people who also suffer from the same problem. The result is Pandere, which makes shoes that expand in toebox, midfoot and around the ankles. The company has pre-sold 250 pairs and has another 10,000 interested customers in its product, which is made in Portugal.
Inside the inaugural Female Founders Alliance accelerator: Eight startups, one hope for the future
Insights & Stories
on Sep 12, 2018
Ready, Set, Raise is a new accelerator built for women by women
Insights & Stories
on May 29, 2018
Report: Alaska’s recession doesn’t seem to have dampened startup activity
Insights & Stories
on May 18, 2018
Take a look at your feet. Chances are, you have the same size shoe on each foot. But for lots of people managing common medical challenges (like diabetes, arthritis, circulation issues, edema) the story isn’t that simple. Often they buy shoes several sizes too big, which causes other issues. Or they buy two pairs in different sizes….but should they have to?
Three Alaska entrepreneurs, all women, decided the answer was ‘Heck, no.’ They’ve launched Pandere Shoes and worked with designers around the world to develop a shoe that can expand as needed in the toe box, the ankle and mid-foot.
Insights & Stories
on May 16, 2018
Alaska shoe startup ready to step into production
Insights & Stories
on May 15, 2018
Three Alaska women team up to create all new type of shoe
Insights & Stories
Legoponics blog feature - May 9, 2018
on May 09, 2018
Pandere Shoes for Unique Soles
Insights & Stories
on May 07, 2018
Entrepreneurs launch shoe company with potential to improve millions of lives