Big and Elegant

90degreez had the pleasure of interviewing Amy Tricoche, owner of Big and Elegant a women shoe store that specializes in wides and double wides. Journey with us as she gives her awesome testimony and explains how it all started.

90degreez:
Tell us a little bit about Big and Elegant - the name, the motivation behind starting your shoe company.
Amy:
Big and Elegant was birthed out of my own need. I am a size 10W and had the worst time finding comfortable and fashionable shoes; I loved my grandma but I didn't want to wear her shoes. As a former plus size women(size 22-24) I always believed we could be elegant no matter the size we wore hence the name Big and Elegant. 

90degreez:
You mentioned in your style file that your shoe store is also your ministry. Explain more about that and your opportunities to minister to customers.
Amy:
The ministry side of the store is "Shoes with a purpose" taken from Isaiah 52:7. I have a passion for women specially those that are hurting. God gave me a revelation a few years ago, that I was like Bounty, the quicker picker upper. I love to touch the lives I come in contact with and I pray I can make a difference in someone's life on a daily basis. The store allows me to do just that. You may come in for shoes and leave with or without them but one thing for sure you'll leave with is a word of encouragement, a smile, a compliment and at times maybe a prayer.

90degreez:
You know that what we go through is not for ourselves but for a testimony to others - and you have an awesome one! You were diagnosed with Chrones disease, declared legally blind and at the time a single mom once weighing in at 270 pounds size 22 -24. What were some of the "steps" you took to overcoming, develop your new look and what advice can you give to anyone facing similar challenges?
Amy:
Prayer changes many things. I started by first of all accepting myself for who I was and all the accomplishments I had achieved with the body I had. I was thankful for what we had done thus far and understood that I needed God to help me. God took what the enemy intended for my destruction and used it for His glory. After praying, I stopped eating 2-3 hours before going to bed, changed the plate size so that visually it didn't look like I was eating a small amount of food. I'd eat a little of everything but portion control. I started working out 10 minutes a day for that's all I could do (the key is to be consistent) I would then gradually increase the time till I got to 30 - 45 minutes a day for 5 days a week. I've managed by the grace of God to stay in a size 12 for 2 years now but I still workout everyday for at least 30 minutes and eat a little of everything but keeping the portion control in check. 

90degreez:
I am sure many women can identify with your testimony and are striving for a breakthrough themselves. What was your breaking point?
Amy:
My breaking point was a process. In February 2001 I got sick and tired of existing and not living the life I knew God had planned for me. At that time I recommitted my life to the Lord gave up cigarettes and decided to live for Christ. My son and I moved to Tampa (I was a single mom at the time) and we started a new life in Tampa. I got plugged in to a great church that taught me the word of God. Little did I know that it would be that Word that would get me through my midnight hour when I was diagnosed with the Chrones. While dealing with the disease God was dealing with the inner me and making the changes He needed to make to allow me to be the person He created me to be. I had to deal with my issues and the process started from within which was then reflected on the outside. I had a desire to want to take care of the physical once I understood I was His temple and He abided within me.

90degreez:
Not only has God healed your sight, but I am sure that now your "vision" is clearer than ever. In what way do you see "Big and Elegant" impacting the fashion industry for the kingdom of God in the future?
Amy:
I see Big and Elegant growing to reach thousands of women not only with the fashionable and comfortable shoes in wide and double wide that we offer but with excellent customer service. I truly believe that if we go back to catering to our customers by establishing relationships with personalized customer service more than selling shoes we will make a difference. 

One last word for all your readers, All things are possible through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. Believe in your dreams and though they tarry if you faint not, they will come to pass.

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