Tomorrow I will be in Washington for meetings on the Hill regarding a request for SBA (Small Business Administration) funding. Katherine and I met with everyone in October for “advice” and now we are asking for money.

I am pitching a wow project.  It is called Artful Business and it is a project that teaches innovative marketing and networking skills to small businesses and arts groups in Queens as part of the Queens Art Express.  Our goals? More jobs for businesses and artists, more awareness of Queens as a destination site for niche cultural offerings.

What I remember vividly is walking, running, jumping in and out of cabs in between our meetings.
I also remember my studded boots setting off every metal detector so this time, I am wearing shoes that are comfortable, non metallic, perhaps a cool designer sneaker.

As soon as we get into Washington, I begin to see them – nondescript gray pumps that DC women seem to own by the hundreds. Hard on the feet, hard on the eyes. My faith in government is gravely undermined by this disturbing lapse of style.

You are probably thinking to yourself  – what a shoe snob!  Well, I am.

Shoes are what shapes your movement.  Your posture, your presence.  Would you trust all of that to inferior footwear?

To be successful,  I need to look fundable.  Someone who can inspire allocations and multiyear grants.  You know that I am going to be wearing shoes that:

• look fabulous
• fell comfortable
• do not set off metal detectors

Any suggestions?