Written by Vanessa L. Seide
Bedford Hills resident Vanessa L. Seide is the founder of Very Lovely Soles Footwear, has been a Westchester resident since she was 10 years old, and she now resides in Bedford Hills. With over 13 years in the footwear industry, she understands what it’s like to be a small business entrepreneur.
Why did you want to be a judge?
I’ve lived in Westchester for basically my whole life, so when I saw it on Instagram, I figured I’d be a good asset to the judging.
What’s your professional background?
As for my professional background, I have my own footwear business., Very Lovely Soles.
What perspective did you bring as a judge?
Well, first of all, I own my own business. But, second of all, I’m also a consumer. Add in my residential longevity, and combined, I believe that gives me a great perspective.
What did you expect as a judge?
I didn’t expect anything in particular.
What did you enjoy most about being a judge?
I guess being able to help someone feel like they’re the best in the area. I was excited to be a part of helping someone feel like they’re being seen by the community.
What kind of judge are you?
I think I’m pretty critical. Not everyone’s the best, so I think I’m pretty fair in that sense of really holding onto what I think is the best. There were a lot of categories and places up for the awards, and I would have wanted my business to be judged fairly, so I did that for other people and gave my honest opinion.
Which famous judge best matches your personality?
I honestly don’t know. My husband says Mel B, but I don’t even know her judging style.
What was the biggest challenge as a judge?
Some of the places I’ve never been to, so it was difficult to judge just based on people’s comments.
Last question: Who would make a better judge, your fifth grade teacher or a flight attendant?
My fifth-grade teacher actually got fired for loving alcohol a bit too much; I remember smelling it on her breath. She was a mean drunk, and it eventually cost her her job. But I’ve had some really nice—and really sober—flight attendants, so I’d easily pick them over my fifth grade teacher.
This article was published in the January/February 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
Kayla Schmidt
Kayla Schmidt is a freshman at Horace Greeley High School. She is part of the newspaper and the SADD club, and she is also the co-manager of the track team. In her free time, Kayla enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and dogs, along with reading (preferably on the beach).
