João Ferreira, who has a degree in management, is the second generation of the Paradigma footwear family.
Was working in the footwear industry a natural choice?
Yes, during my teenage years, I’d always followed the world of sneakers, and as my father had a footwear business, it was almost a ‘no-brainer’ to try working in the industry. However, both he and my grandfather warned me many times that it was a difficult industry that would give me a lot of headaches.
How would you define your brand/project? How does it stand out in the market?
We are a company that is always trying to keep up with new developments and what the market is asking for, and our strength is classic men’s shoes.
We work on a private label basis and try to offer our customers the best possible value for money, with a focus on premium/luxury brands.
We are a company that is always trying to keep up with new developments and what the market is asking for, and our strength is classic men’s shoes.
We work on a private label basis and try to offer our customers the best possible value for money, with a focus on premium/luxury brands.
What have been the biggest challenges to date?
The biggest challenge has been learning about the different materials. This is an industry that uses many components to make a product that looks much simpler than it is.
What advice would you give to a young person starting out in the industry?
Listen to the advice of the older people: they have a lot to teach. But it’s also important to speak your mind. Despite our lack of experience, we often have a different and more up-to-date vision of what our customers want.
Listen to the advice of the older people: they have a lot to teach. But it’s also important to speak your mind. Despite our lack of experience, we often have a different and more up-to-date vision of what our customers want.
