One million shoes sold: a success story from eastern Switzerla
Two young entrepreneurs from eastern Switzerland are celebrating an impressive success they have already sold a million pairs of the comfortable shoe they developed It all started in 2008 on a small scale, as Claudio Minder, a founding member of Joya Schuhe AG. remembers: “As we d invested all our savings in shoe production all we could afford to rent as an office was a room in a flat share ” The shoe he describes as the “softest shoe in the world” was developed by Karl Muller, the son and namesake of the inventor of MBT “What started out with eight black shoes has grown into an attractive collection with more than 70 models”
The company itself has grown too. from a two-man operation to a medium-sized enterprise employing more than 60 staff at home and abroad. The shoes are available in 17 countries, with most sold in Germany and Scandinavia. “I think that what makes Joya so successful is the unique nature of the shoe There is currently nothing else like it on the shoe market”, explains Claudio Minder, who manages the main office in Roggwil. Switzerland.
A golden shoe to celebrate
The millionth shoe is being celebrated with an unusual bespoke production: a gold-plated shoe. The sparkling shoe is just like a real Joya shoe, right down to the last detail. Forty are being painstakingly handmade. This limited series of golden Joya shoes will be given away to customers and business partners at various sales promotions and prize draws.
Accolade: a gold medal for the Joya shoe
The two young entrepreneurs were only recently given a special accolade for their comfortable functional shoe” in Germany. According to a representative survey by the German specialist magazine Markt Intern”, some 2.600 shoe retailers consider Joya shoes the most comfortable m Germany. This puts Joya in first place, in front of traditional brands such as Ganter, FmnComfort. Mephisto, MBT, Waldlaufer and others. “We were absolutely delighted by this distinction. It confirms that people value our product and our service. We would like to thank our
Developing a Swiss brand further
The young company invests a lot in developing new sole technologies. A team of seven
specialists works in the research department run by the inventor of Joya, Karl Muller, himself.
We are currently testing a particularly soft, supple sole which will set another new standard.”
The two entrepreneurs from eastern Switzerland have set their sights on new ground for their new shoe: the as yet untaooed I IS mari***
For further information about Joya go to: www.joyashoes.com.
