Amazing women are all around us. At Vionic, we’re fortunate enough to have many of those women working in all aspects of the company, with a great amount in leadership roles. As part of our ever-growing appreciation, we want to celebrate the women who make Vionic what it is by highlighting their stories, achievements and more with our Women of Vionic blog series.
Lisa Fuentes is the Director of Customer Care at Vionic. Now in her 7th year in the Vionic family, she has made a lasting impact as a trailblazing leader at the company. With fearlessness, determination, and humor, she continues to pave the way for others while always remaining true to what matters most in her career and family life. Read her Q&A, and learn more about our Women of Vionic spotlight of the week!
How long have you been with Vionic?
Seven long, glorious, and educational years.
What’s your title role at Vionic, and what does that entail?
My current role at Vionic is Director of Customer Care. I manage various teams, and I manage the wholesale order book of business, made up of Standard Accounts, Key Accounts and International Accounts. Along with that, our Returns Department falls under the Customer Care umbrella. I acquired the Wholesale Returns Department in 2015 so that we could standardize and improve the entire wholesale order process from start to finish. In a nutshell, my goal is and always will be to create a positive customer experience.
Why did you choose to work at Vionic?
I left a long career in the mortgage business and was looking for stability at a time when the economy and housing market were very volatile. Vionic afforded me a place where I could use my skill set to grow professionally. Coming in when Vionic (formely Vasyli) was in its infancy, was ideal and gave me the opportunity to grow an internal team to fit the exponential growth we have experienced through the years.
One of the first exercises we did as a company was to identify our core values. Instead of having management plastering values on a wall, they empowered the employees to identify what core values were important to us. This ultimately meant that we held ourselves accountable to our values! I knew after that team building experience Vionic would be a career.
What do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment at Vionic?
My greatest accomplishment is my customer care team. When I was the customer care supervisor in 2011, I had three team members. Over the years, my team has grown into a self-sustaining department. Training employees from the ground up has enabled them to take a motivated stake in owning their “piece” of Vionic. I am proud to share that many of my former team members have been promoted to other parts of the business and made their initial tenure with Vionic a career.
How does Vionic empower women?
Professionally, Vionic empowers women who are looking for something more than just a “9 to 5” job. The hands-on training and culture have proven to be a perfect recipe for success. The work environment is fast-paced yet rewarding. Many people have come to Vionic and made this a career and not just a job.
From a consumer perspective, Vionic empowers women to get on their feet! A lot of times, people take for granted the ability to walk around, pain-free. Vionic has helped millions of women start walking and living again while looking stylish.
What are 3 things that are important to you when working on a team?
Communication, appreciation and leadership.
What advice do you have for young women starting in the workforce?
Work hard, support your team, stay hungry. Your success will come. Oh, and take notes!
Where do you see the future of Vionic heading?
The sky is the limit. When I walked in 7 years ago, I could not have imagined this kind of success. Changing people’s lives will always be at the forefront of what we do at Vionic.
Do you have a favorite Vionic style?
Our Satima Sneaker and Tide II Sandal are SOLID styles that have held the test of time. I would back up the truck on these, any day of the week. (That’s a shipping joke!)
What’s your secret to feeling your best self?
Sleep! I’m a Director at Vionic and a mom, and there are a lot of responsibilities that come with those titles. I often feel like I can “sleep later,” but it will eventually catch up with you. It is important that I carve out time for myself to meditate and get enough sleep. I am a better version of myself for my team and my daughters.
Heidi Aaron
Lisa – I wish you made all your most popular styles in size 12. I go to Shoe Station all the time and they have three entire rows of vionic shoes to choose from and in all those shoes there is only two styles that come in a 12 and one is a slipper! I have literally stood in those isles and multiple women have been searching for size 12. HELP!
ecervantes
Good news, Heidi! We will be expanding our size 12 styles starting with our upcoming spring collection debuting in a few months. Stay tuned!
Daisy Goodwin
I went to Belks store on Black friday saw these shoes love the style I tried them on and they felt awesome, I said I have to get these shoes. I had a coupon went up to purchase the shoes the sales lady say can’t use coupon on this type of shoes, my question was why? what makes your shoes different that a coupon couldn’t be used? that was my only deep concern, it was BLACK FRIDAY.
Yes I did purchase the shoes, I had them on once inside but yet to wear out. Not being able to use my coupon really broke my heart as well as my account, thinking about taking them back.
ecervantes
Sorry to hear your coupon did not work at Belks, Daisy! We only issue coupon codes for our website that cannot be used with another retailer. However, do you have your coupon code number? We would be happy to take a look into this further for you. Feel free to also reach out to our customer care team at info@vionicshoes.com or 1-800-832-9255. We’re happy to help!
Anthony daddi
I just purchased a pair of the Tucker casual sneakers and they are very comfortable but have no support .
I am in the process of returning them.
I also want to mention your delivery service is the worst!
ecervantes
Sorry to hear you are having trouble with a pair of our shoes, Anthony. Please know that we offer a 30-day guarantee on all Vionic Shoes: http://www.vionicshoes.com/30-day-guarantee. Feel free to contact our customer service at info@vionicshoes.com or 1-800-832-9255. We’re happy to help!
Carolyn Meltzner
I just received my slippers and they are very slippery on the sole, the right one more than the left!! I need to exchange and hope the second pair will be better. How do I do this?
Vionic Shoes
We’re sorry to hear your slippers aren’t working out for you. You can process an easy online return or exchange for free here – https://www.vionicshoes.com/returns-and-exchanges
Dena
I have become frustrated ordering Vionic shoes that now appear to be shipping from China. Multiple ads come across my newsfeed with amaziing prices. Are these Chinese knockoffs? Has Bionic changed marketing strategies? I now have five pair ordered and waiting well over 30 days for delivery. Disappointed and frustrated!
Vionic Shoes
Hi Dena, sadly, those fraudulent ads you are seeing are not legitimate. There are a number of false advertisements on Facebook selling discounted products. Those are not authorized or legitimate retailers. We are working to have those ads removed. Are you signed up for our email newsletter? You’ll be one of the first to learn about official promotions, product and more. You can sign up here: https://www.vionicshoes.com/email-join
Charlotte Uiselt
I need help on face book on Memorial Day weekend QVC had an deal buy one or two or three pairs of your shoes for a great deal. Well I bought two. Sandals with a buckle on the side. Thinking I’m ordering from QV C where I have bought your shoes before and loved them. Well I got the shoes just the other day she shoes are trash. Not your quality. But they have your brand on them. The bag said Cozy comfy goody. I texted them wanting to send them back besause there are trash. That’s were I need your help. Who are these people that are trying to sell your shoes. The girl is named Ashleykelley do you know her. I want my money back. And these people in jail. Fraud Please help me!! On a fixed budget.
Vionic Shoes
That is a fraudulent retailer selling fraudulent product. There are a number of false advertisements on Facebook selling discounted products. Those are not authorized or legitimate retailers. We are working to have those ads removed. Are you signed up for our email newsletter? You’ll be one of the first to learn about official promotions, product and more. You can sign up here: https://www.vionicshoes.com/email-join
Dawn Slieter
Hello,
I ordered a pair of Vionic Women’s Sky Storm Active Sneakers from Amazon in late December. When they arrived I found them to be extremely comfortable.
Last week, I went for my morning walk. Generally I will go for about 3-4 miles. Halfway through the walk, the back of my right heel start to rub painfully against the back of the shoe.
I was 2 miles out and had no choice but to return home with the painful rubbing. My heel was in bad shape (literally rubbed raw) by the time I reached my house. When I examined the shoe I discovered a hard crease/ ridge in the back of the shoe. I have walked in these shoes many times before without incident so I was disappointed to see and feel this defect. I alternate them with other pairs of sneakers in my wardrobe so as not to overuse them. What would cause this defect? I am hoping there is some recourse here as I love the shoes. Would it be possible to have the shoe evaluated to see if there is a defect? I would appreciate any advice or direction.
Thank you
Vionic Shoes
Most questions can be answered on our FAQ page on VionicShoes.com.
However, if you need to contact our Customer Care Support Team, please call us via our toll free number at 1-800-832-9255 (WALK), Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:30 PM Pacific Time.
During high call volume times, please send us an email at info@vionicshoes.com and be sure to include your name, order number if applicable, and the style name of the shoe.
Linda
Should I order bionic sneakets in the same size as my vionic flip flops and vionic mule slippers
Vionic Shoes
We always recommend ordering your regular shoe size in Vionic shoes. Our sandals and slippers are designed to cover both half and whole sizes. When ordering sandals and slippers, we recommend sizing down to the nearest whole size. For example, if you wear an 8.5, we recommend sizing down to a size 8 in sandals and slippers. We also offer a 30-day wear test with each pair of shoes purchased from vionicshoes.com so you can shop with confidence – https://www.vionicshoes.com/30-day-guarantee