SUCCESS STORY: Detroit native a big deal in footwear industry
Sierra Massey has made traveled an inspiring journey in the global footwear industry.
Detroit native, Sierra “Cee Cee” Massey was a little girl with a big dream, looking to build the confidence of young girls, like herself, and women who wore large shoe sizes.
As Founder and CEO of Cee Cee Massey, Sierra is proud to launch a footwear brand that will provide women who wear sizes 10-16 with stylish and comfortable shoes that will invoke confidence and elegance with every stride they make.
Massey grew up in Detroit as a young African American girl with low self-esteem, not only because of her large shoe size, but because she was taller and shapelier than her peers.
At the age of 14 she was wearing size 13 shoes.
“My family didn’t have money for designer shoes so that left me shopping for men’s shoes at a local discount department store, which doesn’t vote well for a young girl’s confidence.” Massey continued with,
“When I was in eighth grade I came home in tears and told my mom that when I grow up, I was going to make my own line of shoes for girls with big feet. I didn’t want them to have to go through what I went through and feel the way I felt.”
Inspiring journey
Massey was determined to learn more about shoe design, construction, and production.
In 2010 she began taking a Shoe Designing and Manufacturing Class in Manhattan, New York, where she commuted every week from Detroit to New York on a Greyhound bus.
The support from her mother Lynette, her sister Natasha, and her 6th grade teacher Aaron Mollette, her friends Alissa Jenkins and Lois Jackson combated her determination and perseverance allowing her to sell her first pair of shoes in 2011 out of a shop she started in her home.
In 2012, she began working at Detroit Manufacturing Systems (DMS), while continuing to hone her craft as a shoe designer and manufacturer.
Her team members at DMS also helped motivate and encourage her efforts. In 2018 her inspirational story, enthusiasm, and drive resonated with the new owner of DMS, Bruce Smith.
Making a vision reality
During the following years and through COVID, Bruce and his company began helping Massey with her vision to start her own company, Cee Cee Massey Shoes, the brand she is launching today.
“I’m incredibly proud to support Sierra Massey in her entrepreneurial journey with the launch of Cee Cee Massey Shoes,” said Bruce Smith, Chairman & CEO of Detroit Manufacturing Systems.
“Sierra’s dedication, creativity, and vision align perfectly with our company’s values of innovation and excellence. By investing in her dream, we are not only empowering a talented member of our team, but also contributing to the growth of a brand that promises to set new standards into the footwear industry.
Massey is now making a big footprint designing shoes that are crafted with the finest materials, combating innovative design with timeless sophistication.
Testament to hard work
Each pair is a testament to the brand’s dedication to quality and luxury. Utilizing advance cushioning technology and ergonomic design, the shoes offer all-day wearability without sacrificing style. From chic stilettos to versatile flats and boots, the collection offers a wide range of options to suit every occasion, ensuring that there is a perfect pair for everyone.
The shoes are crafted using a blend of fashion and practicality, with every design made to deliver confidence and elegance to women with a few extra inches in their stride.
Cee Cee Massey is building a community for shared experiences, so all women feel supported and included. “I want my customers to feel empowered, to feel beautiful, to feel seen, heard even, and to express their individuality through fashion.”
The Cee Cee Massey Shoe collection offers a selection of shoes ranging from $9.95 to $99.95 that are available for purchase online at https://ceeceemassey.com/. To celebrate the launch, the brand is offering an exclusive 15% discount off their first order when they sign up for brand emails.
