In honour of International Women's Day, we wanted to get to know Dr. Liza a bit better. Read more about her inspirational career journey, the why behind her brand, and which celeb she'd most love to see in dr LIZA shoes!
1. What inspired you to become an osteopath and chiropractor?
From the age of six I knew I wanted to help people feel better and decided then that I’d be a doctor when I grew up. In university I studied pharmacology in preparation for medical school and decided in my first year that traditional medicine based on medication and surgical intervention wasn’t for me. I looked at health holistically and in my search for a modality that reflected this I discovered Chiropractic. Five years into practice and seeing the best results with my patients using myofascial release I learned about Osteopathy. It fit perfectly with my method of treatment so I went back to school to get my Osteopath designation as well.
2. Tell us about launching the dr LIZA brand - what has been the most satisfying part of the journey so far?
I come from a long line of fashionable women and as a student looked forward to dressing up to work in heels every day when I graduated. Unfortunately I couldn’t find stylish heels that I could wear every day for my physically intensive job where I was on my feet for most of the day. Almost a decade into practice one of my patients - a design director at a major fashion retailer - said that I would be the one to create high heels that ‘us fashion girls’ could wear comfortably. And I did 😊
The most satisfying part of the journey so far has been the thousands of women around the world who say how much dr LIZA shoes have changed their lives. And how they can finally be their true selves embracing authentic style comfortably.
3. How does your Nigerian background inspire your design work?
It wasn’t until I started my doctorate program that I really started to find my true sense of style and embrace my Nigerian heritage. Growing up my mom also ensured we were well put together and we even had little kitten heels with bows as kids. And then visiting Nigeria I would marvel at how stunning everyone looked even working behind the market stalls and selling wares along the roads. And I thought it was so beautiful to really dress joyfully every day. This is the essence of my design work for dr LIZA shoes - designing for beauty, comfort and joy that you can wear all day every day no matter what you’re doing.
4. Who would be a dream collaborator for dr LIZA?
I love the work of Nigerian designer Lisa Folawiyo. I would absolutely love to collaborate with her on a collection. Lisa x Liza 🥺❤️
5. Who would you love to see wearing a piece from dr LIZA and why?
I would absolutely love to see Viola Davis in dr LIZA shoes. I gifted her a pair of dr LIZA NGOZI sandals at the Toronto International Film Festival because like many women she finds high heels uncomfortable. And how can we have the woman king being uncomfortable? I stalk her social media incessantly to see if she’s wearing them 😂
6. Tell us about balancing your work and your personal life - how do you decompress after a long day, and how do you look after your mind and your body?
I’m so fortunate to truly love the work that I do so that most of the time it doesn’t actually feel like work. Despite this I am a strong proponent of self care and have always made that my priority. We only have one life to live so I want to make sure I look back and know that I really felt joy for at least a moment every single day and lived my best life - literally.
To make sure I’m getting the most out of life I need to feel good and part of this self maintenance involves stretching, dancing, exercising and focussing on breath work daily. I also spend time with people and activities that bring me joy and restore my energy. And one of my biggest energy conservation techniques is being vigilant with how I spend my time. If I don’t want to - I won’t. And then there’s food and fashion - two of my true loves whom bring me excitement and love every day.
And then there’s love. I love loving.
7. What's one piece of advice you wish you'd received throughout your career that you want to pass on to others?
Trust no one. Haha. But no seriously - when it comes to business go in without any trust so that you’re always doing your due diligence.
8. You love to travel - what's your favourite destination, and what would you do there if you had a day totally to yourself?
I feel like Bora Bora is the definition of paradise. Left alone I would start the day looking at the sun rise over the mountains while the gentle light reflects on the water while sipping on a coffee. When light enough I’d take a dip in the water, shower and then head to breakfast. And then spend the rest of the day in and out of the lagoon, reading, writing, doodling and listening to music.