Meet Julie Kuo | Co-founder and CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Julie Kuo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Julie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

My parents came to the United States 40 years ago to find a better opportunity and future for their children. They built a successful footwear business that is one of today’s industry leaders in fast fashion. They were able to make fashionable, trendy yet affordable styles for your everyday woman. They allowed footwear to be an extension of a woman’s beauty and self-expression.

That same spirit of celebrating a woman’s strength and individuality is what led my sister and I to create AVRE.
We wanted all women to feel empowered and authentic in their own skin yet conversations were happening in the industry. We were made aware of how practices in the fashion industry were damaging our planet by creating excessive amount of waste and high levels of carbon emissions. The industry was evolving and we needed to change with the times.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

The desire in wanting to support woman from all walks of life and to be able to do this in a sustainable way all while being able to give back to our community was what inspired my sister and I to launch AVRE. The very footing of each AVRE shoe is to recognize and celebrate every woman’s step towards an Authentic, Versatile, Responsible, and Empowered life. Understanding how certain manufacturing practices were damaging to our planet, and learning about recycled threads my sister and I realized there was an opportunity to show the world they could have beautiful shoes that was also good for mother earth. The idea is to have as little waste as possible. With our innovative 3d knit-to-shape technology it has led us to reduce and minimize our production waste than the standard industry cut to sew production practices. Our shoes, designed and built with durability in mind, go beyond the functionality of an ordinary shoe. All of our products are machine washable with the intention of being continuously worn and reused. All of our shoes are specifically made with recycled threads made of recycled PET water bottles and in doing so we not only reduce waste filling up our landfills, but emit fewer greenhouse gases and conserve water and energy in the process. We are always looking to evolve and we wanted to help be part of a solution that would create a better tomorrow for our children and future generations.
We are a business-to-consumer footwear business and having to operate and run during a pandemic has definitely had its challenges. The shutdowns and limitations in social activities, as well as people’s mindsets and their ability of even purchasing nonessential items, had a major impact. The normal way of marketing and creating brand visibility has been very challenging for us as a new brand as one of our major ways of introducing the brand was through social events. With social gatherings not being allowed as well as people limiting contact in order to stay safe, some of the activities and initiatives we had planned to build brand visibility had to be postponed. We’ve had to rely heavily on social media and organic growth with audiences falling in love with the message and our designs once they’ve received the shoes.

For anyone looking to break into this world, I always want to be honest about the focus and passion that it requires. Know your purpose. Do not get discouraged by outside factors, or other people’s opinion. Business is about going through cycles, where you have to be flexible and be open to keep pivoting. If something is not working, don’t be afraid to break your pattern and change. You must remind yourself to continue to push through and be accepting to try new approaches until you hit a breakthrough. The breakthrough will come as long as you don’t become stagnant.

We were inspired to create a brand in a male-dominated industry and vowed to motivate other women to feel empowered to pursue their goals. We aspire to foster the same strength and encouragement that we received from our own family to other women. The very footing of each AVRE shoe is to recognize and celebrate every woman’s step towards an authentic, versatile, responsible, and empowered life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to the beach. As Californians we are lucky to be able to live close to large bodies of water. The beauty and freedom you feel when you are by the beach is on a different level.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents deserve the credit as they laid the foundation for my sister and I to be able to create the AVRE brand. My parents immigrated here from Taiwan over 40 years ago to find a way to provide for a better future for themselves and their children. Growing up was very humbling to see all the struggles my parents endured to be able to make for a better life for all of us. . They didn’t speak the language nor did they have any friends and family around to support them. They were able to build their business from the ground up with nothing but heart and determination. These same values they instilled in me to pursue my dreams and passions.

Website: www.avrelife.com

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