A Richmond-based company run by a Delta family is singing the praises of Oprah Winfrey after one of its products was recently selected for Oprah’s Favorite Things List 2017.
PUDUS (pronounced poodos) — the ultimate slipper sock guaranteed to wrap your feet in warmth and comfort — was featured in the December issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.
The Segal family of Ladner has seen demand for its sock slippers skyrocket after they were included on Oprah’s Favorite Things List for 2017 (Submitted/Delta Optimist)
“I put on these cozy sock slippers for the Favorite Things shoot, and loved them! So will anyone you give them to, from toddlers to grandmas,” said Oprah in the magazine.
PUDUS was founded in 2015 by the Segal family (Dr. Jean Segal, wife Randi, daughter Haylie and son Brandon) who also developed a fashionable version of compression socks in 2012.
Randi, Brandon and Haylie work on various aspects of the company, while Dr. Segal, a surgeon at Delta Hospital, serves as medical advisor.
“It was pretty amazing when they decided to feature our product. Oprah has been wonderful for us,” said Haylie. “Our product has skyrocketed everywhere. We are just so fortunate and excited about her featuring it. We couldn’t have asked for anything more than publicity from someone like Oprah.”
According to the company’s website, the PUDUS Classic Collection unites more than 40 vibrant designs to an elevated level of softness.
Available in three sizes from toddler to adult, PUDUS extra-soft, animal-friendly fleece and high-traction silicone grippers provide comfort at every step.
“All of our retailers have been doing really well. Amazon, our website, it has just pushed the product all across North America really,” said Haylie. “This is an entirely different product. We had an idea and decided we wanted to go for it again, so we used what we learned with the compression socks and built two different brands alongside each other.”
Haylie said the idea behind PUDUS is a simple one.
“Everyone loves slippers. Everyone wants to feel comfy. We started with the compression socks and now we have branched out into some outerwear as well, but we wanted everyone to feel warm and cozy. Slippers are a great gift and we just went with it,” she said. “Both brands are growing exponentially every year which has been very exciting for us. With everything that has been happening with Oprah, there is lots to come with both products.”
The family appeared on Dragon’s Den in 2015 to showcase the compression socks.
Haylie and Brandon live in Richmond, but Jean and Randi still live in Delta--in Ladner. Both Brandon and Haylie grew up in Ladner and graduated from Delta Secondary.
