Vladimir Grigoriev and the Shoe Manufacturing Industry

Talent often has no direct connection to formal education. Vladimir Grigoriev spent a long time in advertising after obtaining a degree in economics in his youth. However, since childhood, watching his mother work as a designer at a shoe factory, he dreamed of custom shoemaking. Some time later, his friend asked him to make shoes. Vladimir personally came up with the designs and aimed to create something unique. Not achieving satisfactory results, he temporarily set aside the idea.

How Did Vladimir Grigoriev’s Shoe Production Start?

Afterward, Vladimir engaged in ordinary tasks, and a fantastic idea struck him. He created several designs capable of highlighting a distinctive brand style recognizable at first sight. At the same time, customers could make modifications and select the color of the model themselves.

The option for customization became the main focus of production. At the time of the idea's inception, they did not have their own factory, so Vladimir and his friend sought help from acquaintances. The employees of a firm primarily producing black and brown boots were not pleased with the new orders.

How Did the Business Evolve?

The initial production did not go well. The craftsmen confused color choices, and the small volumes of work were unprofitable for the factory. Therefore, the company declined to manufacture the new shoes. After facing failure, Vladimir's friend gave up on the idea, significantly limiting opportunities.

Undaunted, Vladimir persisted. Just like many major corporations today, one setback was not decisive for him. Using his savings, Vladimir rented a space to establish his workshop. He already had designs and ready-made models. All that remained was to learn how to sew. Within six months, he honed his skills, bought the space, created a website, hired employees, and set up his production, spending a total of $4500.

In a relatively short time, he managed to establish partnerships with material suppliers and build a customer base. After structuring operational aspects, he developed a shoe configurator where customers could select shoe parameters. This became a pivotal factor in his business development. Currently, approximately 80% of all sales come through the shoe configurator, even though products based on it are 20% more expensive. With a total investment of just over $5000, the monthly revenue of the enterprise is at least $4000, with a net profit of $1100. Nonetheless, Vladimir is only advancing his enterprise and has numerous plans to execute.

Share this article with your acquaintances. Vladimir's determination could significantly influence their decisions and be a decisive factor in starting their own business. We also recommend reading the inspiring story of the brand New Balance.