From Job Loss to Leading Shoe Brand: A Brazilian Couple's Post-COVID Business Triumph
A Brazilian couple bounces back from COVID-19 job loss to build a thriving shoe company employing 600 staff, showcasing resilience and entrepreneurship.
- • Marina and Ricardo Larroudé lost jobs during COVID-19 but started a shoe brand from home.
- • Their company now employs about 600 people, mainly in Brazil, generating millions.
- • They emphasize resilience and refuse to give family executive roles without merit.
- • Their experience in the 2008 financial crisis helped them navigate early challenges.
Key details
After losing their jobs in New York at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, Marina and Ricardo Larroudé turned adversity into opportunity by founding their own shoe brand from their home. Drawing on resilience developed during the 2008 financial crisis, they navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship amidst economic uncertainty. Today, their company employs around 600 people, primarily in Brazil, and generates millions in revenue.
Marina leads the brand's creative direction while Ricardo serves as CEO, maintaining strong governance by refusing to hand executive roles to family members merely as favors. Marina emphasizes the importance of teaching their children resilience, stating they will not be given jobs for convenience but instead learn to respond proactively to challenges.
Their success story highlights the power of adaptability and determination in the post-pandemic economic recovery. Starting with no business knowledge, their fresh perspective helped the brand flourish during a time when many struggled.
This narrative of growth complements broader business development efforts in Brazil, such as the Connect 2026 event in Trancoso, Bahia, which promotes networking and strategic learning among travel industry professionals. Together, these stories illustrate a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit emerging stronger in the post-COVID era, focused on innovation, partnership, and resilience.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
