Caroline McCulloch is the founder and owner of Frankie4 Footwear. As a physiotherapist and podiatrist, she and husband Alan, also a podiatrist, started the business to ensure women had access to fashionable shoes that also offer foot support – it is no longer considered an oxymoron!
The name Frankie in Frankie4 comes from Caroline and Al’s first fox terrier dog, and the number four comes from their four design ethos – Fashionable; Functional; Innovative; and Giving Back.
Frankie4 has developed a range of sockettes and all net proceeds from the sale of these sockettes goes to Brainchild Foundation – a charity that helps children affected by brain and spinal cord tumours, and their families.
Caroline grew up in Goondiwindi, and is still very much a country girl at heart. She and Al, and their two children live at Brookfield in Brisbane’s western suburbs. This not only allows plenty of space for the kids to run around, the area also has a plethora of bush walks and bike trails to explore. Not to mention, the best coffee in town from the Brookfield General Store.
In 2017 Caroline won the Lord Mayors Business Award – Business Person of the Year. For Caroline, after 13 years building and running her own business, this award was very gratifying and gave her and Al the opportunity to stop and acknowledge what they’d achieved. It’s evident they have created a good business, but in Caroline’s own words they also created “not only a great product, but a sustainable business with really really great people.”
And at the heart of it all, Caroline’s mission is simple – women shouldn’t have to compromise on style just to be comfortable!
