SNEAKERS
BRAND
NZ Footwear
TYPE OF CLIENT
Startup Founder / Medical Professional
(Podiatrist & Innovator)
SEASON
Spring 2026 Launch
BRIEF
Transform a clinically proven orthotic insole into a fashion-forward women’s footwear brand. The goal was to create product that delivered real therapeutic benefits without the stigma of “orthopedic” design by balancing style, comfort, and credibility while identifying the right product category and market positioning.
WHAT WE DID
Led a full end-to-end brand build from strategy through launch:
-
Conducted market analysis and identified white space opportunity, pivoting category from sandals to sneakers
-
Defined target consumer, brand positioning, and product roadmap
-
Designed and developed 16 SKUs with integrated orthotic technology
-
Managed factory sourcing, communication, and production in Portugal
-
Built iterative feedback loops with real consumers for validation
-
Delivered go-to-market strategy including pricing, positioning, and trade show execution
RESULT
-
Launched a fully realized sneaker brand in just 12 months
-
Successfully debuted and sold first pairs at trade show for profit
-
Achieved strong product-market fit through real-time consumer validation
-
Delivered premium-quality product after prior failed manufacturing attempts
-
Positioned brand to scale with clear strategy, differentiated offering, and strong foundation
