Interview by Women in Motion Podcast | Hosted by Renita Manley and Lee Kantor
Presented by WBEC-West
🎧 Listen to the full episode: SEO vs. AIO – Women in Motion on Business RadioX
Shannon Kehrer was just 19 when a frustrating fashion flaw sparked an idea: socks that actually stay on. What started as a personal solution quickly evolved into Hidey Style Socks, a woman-owned business now recognized on QVC and featured on a national entrepreneur-focused reality TV show. In a recent Women in Motion podcast, Shannon opened up about her journey, her brand, and the critical role WBEC-West played in her meteoric rise.
“It Started with a Sock That Wouldn’t Stay On”
Tired of “no-show” socks slipping off her feet, Shannon created her own solution: stylish, high-quality socks with a stay-put anklet and genuine Swarovski crystals. With no experience in sewing or product development, she bootstrapped her idea while working a full-time job and caring for her disabled father. “I designed Hidey Style Socks for myself first,” Shannon shared. “But then everyone I talked to said, ‘Yes! I hate when that happens too!’ That’s when I knew I had something.”
From Pop-Ups to Prime Time
The early days were grassroots. Shannon grew her brand at local vendor events, reinvesting her earnings into marketing and wholesale outreach. Her determination eventually led her to WBEC-West, where everything changed.
“Joining WBEC-West was a game-changer,” she said. “At first, I just wanted the Women-Owned logo for my packaging. But then I started seeing the emails—pitch competitions, networking events, supplier programs—and realized there was so much more.”
Pitching Her Way to QVC
After entering a WBEC-West pitch competition, Shannon progressed through multiple rounds, ultimately landing on stage at WBENC Nationals. That’s where a QVC representative noticed her.
“Samara from QVC came up to me immediately after my pitch,” Shannon said. “She wasn’t the buyer, but she believed in my product and passed it along. A few months later, Hidey Style Socks was officially on QVC—a dream four years in the making.”
Power of Certification and PSP
Shannon is also a graduate of WBEC-West’s Platinum Supplier Program (PSP), which helped her shift from B2C to B2B sales. “The PSP showed me how to sell to corporations—employee gifts, client appreciation, branded socks,” she said. “They helped me develop a professional capability statement and taught me how to pitch to corporate buyers. Now, I don’t go to any event without it.”
Reality TV with a Business Twist
Although she can’t yet reveal the name of the Amazon Prime series she was featured in, Shannon offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the experience. “It wasn’t just for entertainment—it was intense. There were real challenges, real business coaching, and real eliminations,” she said. “I had to run my business while filming and stay true to who I am. It was exhausting and exhilarating.”
The show helped Shannon level up her branding and marketing, sparking a company-wide rebrand and a clearer growth strategy. “I learned how to work smarter, not harder,” she said.
Advice to Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs
“Join WBEC-West. Get certified. Apply to PSP. Show up. Those pitch competitions and events—those are how you get seen,” she emphasized. “Certification opens doors. And it’s not just the access—it’s the community. The support from WBEC-West and people like Dr. Pamela Williamson has been life-changing.”
What’s Next for Hidey Style?
Shannon is expanding into larger retail stores, growing wholesale accounts, and preparing for the release of her reality show this fall. “Once it airs, I know everything will change again,” she said. “I’ve dedicated my whole adult life to this business—and it’s just the beginning.”
Want to hear more about Shannon’s journey, reality TV experience, and top branding lessons? Listen to the full podcast here:
https://businessradiox.com/podcast/women-in-motion/building-a-brand/
Visit Hidey Style: www.hideystyle.com
Follow Shannon on Instagram: @hideystyle
About WBEC-West
WBEC-West, the Women’s Business Enterprise Council-West, is committed to driving growth, fostering equity, and inspiring innovation among women-owned businesses across the Western United States. Through its comprehensive certification, education, and advocacy efforts, WBEC-West empowers women entrepreneurs to connect with major corporations, government agencies, and organizations looking to diversify their supply chains.
As a proud Regional Partner Organization of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), WBEC-West supports a dynamic network of women-owned businesses in Arizona,
California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Hawaii, and beyond. Its initiatives are designed to remove barriers and create opportunities for women entrepreneurs, offering access to invaluable resources, tailored educational programs, and high-impact networking events.
From certification workshops and leadership development programs to innovative offerings like the virtual Supplier Center of Excellence, WBEC-West is dedicated to equipping women-owned businesses with the tools and strategies needed to scale and succeed in today’s competitive marketplace. For more information about WBEC-West and its initiatives, visit www.wbec-west.org.
