Shoe designer Faryl Robin Morse accidentally entered the shoe industry while she was still in high school, after she brought a $100 pair of pants. Once her mother found out about her purchase she made her return the pants for store credit, but gave her the opportunity to buy them back if she got a job. So she started working at Kenneth Cole.

“I spent senior cut day selling shoes,” Morse said.

Now, 20 years later, after attending the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and design school Ars Sutoria in Milan, she is still in the shoe industry.

FarylRobin Footwear is only four years old, yet it has managed to gain national success. A success Morse says is homegrown, meaning she and her team get their inspiration from everywhere but other designers.

“I was on a yoga retreat in Mexico. Inspiration can come from anywhere,” Morse said about her 2006 fall collection.

Morse shared career advice and personal experience with some apparel design and merchandising students at a lecture at SF State Thursday, which excited and motivated attendees.

“Very inspiring. I love their shoes,” said Christina Iskandar, 23, a senior who is studying apparel design and merchandising, about Morse's lecture. “I own a pair and every time I wear them everyone is like ‘wow.’”

At the beginning of the school year Morse contacted SF State because she was scheduled to show her collection, modeled by five SF State students, at the new Bloomingdale’s in the Westfield Shopping Centre and wanted to get students involved.

“It’s phenomenal,” said ADM professor Connie Ulasewicz. “Great opportunity.”

Morse started the company to fill a need she felt was being ignored, the need for stylish and affordable shoes for young women between the ages of 25 to 35. The company targets women who are fashion-conscious, but can’t afford to buy a $300 pair of shoes..

“Our costumers wouldn’t buy knockoffs,” said Morse, “they would rather starve to buy the shoe.”

Although she said it takes hard work and a lot of money to run a thriving business, she does credit some of her success to luck. She once flew from Las Vegas with one of her competitors, Steve Madden, on his private plane along with two Nordstrom buyers whom he told to buy FarylRobin Footwear.

The designs caught on and now Morse’s shoes can be found at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and other stores. Celebrities like Jessica Simpson, Eve and Ciara have all bought her shoes.

“Shoes are my passion,” said Morse, “people should do what they love.”