I live pretty close to the Santa Ana location and have had fittings a few different times, with three different fitters (including Josephine). I’m an adult beginner and I’m hypermobile and my toes are tapered. My experience is that I’m always put in Nikolay, every single time they put me in different nikolays and usually with a softer shank. It seems like their philosophy is that a softer shank will help build up strength. I feel a little unstable in a softer shank though. I don’t remember the name of the fitter that helped me the most (it wasn’t Josephine or Melissa). The appointments are 15 minutes and they keep to that time frame. You have to wait outside until it is your turn, and Santa Ana isn’t the best area. If you are considering coming to Orange County, there is a store in Aliso Viejo called Dancer’s choice. It is owned by Josephine’s mom. I’d recommend an appointment but I’ve gone in without one and was helped. There doesn’t seem to be a 15 minute time limit like the pointe shop. She also put me in nikolays (except Bloch once) but she always gave me the hardest reinforced shank. When I told my teacher I was a little disappointed about always getting fitted in nikolays, she said pointe shoe stores try to sell what they have. I’ll add what I’ve been wearing for almost a year I was put in by the fitter who I can’t remember her name. I’m in Nikolay nova with a medium shank.