The Retail Buyer’s Playbook: 10 Questions to Ask a Shoe Manufacturer to Protect Your Margins
Choosing the right OEM manufacturer or shoe factory China can make or break your product launch. This short guide gives straight‑to‑the‑point answers to the ten questions buyers use to shortlist partners — covering lead times, MOQs, customization, quality assurance and landed cost — so you can separate reliable factories from risky leads quickly. Key Takeaways […]
Top 10 Questions Retailers Ask Footwear Manufacturers: Answers from a 20-Year OEM Manufacturer
I have spent over 20 years on the factory floor. So, I have worked with everyone from startups to big global brands. And I can tell you that a brand’s success or failure often comes down to one thing. It is the quality of their manufacturing partnership. Asking the right questions can save you a […]
How shoes are made: A step-by-step process
As a brand owner or a footwear buyer, understanding how shoes are made is your secret weapon. It’s the knowledge that separates the amateurs from the professionals. It allows you to have more intelligent conversations with your factory, to truly control your quality, and to make smarter decisions that have a direct impact on your bottom line. […]
How Much Does It Cost to Manufacture a Shoe in China?
I’ve spent over 15 years in the trenches of footwear manufacturing in China. I have worked with everyone from ambitious startups to major global brands. And in every single initial conversation, the same critical question comes up: “How much does it really cost to make a shoe in China?” The answer is more complex than you […]
10 Costly Mistakes Brands Make When Sourcing Shoes from China (And How to Avoid Them)
I’ve spent over 15 years in the trenches of footwear sourcing in China. I’ve had the privilege of helping dozens of brands, from ambitious startups to established retailers, turn their design ideas into real, profitable businesses. I’ve seen brands succeed spectacularly, and I’ve seen them fail catastrophically. And I can tell you this: the difference often […]
The Shoe Manufacturing Process: A 2025 Insider’s Guide to Quality, Materials & Innovation
As a brand owner or a buyer, do you really know what separates a good shoe from a great one? It’s not just the design. It’s the process. I’ve spent my career inside shoe factories, navigating the complexities of production, and in this guide, I’m pulling back the curtain. We’re going to go deep into […]
Inside the Shoe Factory: Discover the Secret Behind the World’s Most Comfortable Shoes
Ever wondered what really happens inside a modern shoe factory? I’ve spent my career on the production floor, working with global brands and boutique startups. And today, I’m going to be your guide. We’re going to pull back the curtain and walk through the entire journey a shoe takes. We’ll see everything from a simple […]
China vs Vietnam for Shoe Manufacturing: Which is Better in 2025? (A Buyer’s Guide)
As a brand owner or a buyer in the footwear game, the question ‘China or Vietnam?’ is probably the biggest strategic decision you’ll make this year. I’ve spent over a decade navigating the supply chains in both countries, working with everyone from startups to major retail brands. And I can tell you, the answer isn’t […]
How to Start a Shoe Brand: The Ultimate Guide to Finding a Manufacturer in China (2025)
So you want to start a shoe brand. I get it. I’ve helped dozens of entrepreneurs and established companies turn their raw ideas into real, profitable businesses. The dream is exciting. A unique design, a powerful brand story, customers lining up to buy your product. But the reality? The success or failure of your entire […]
How to Find Reliable Shoe Factories in China for Custom Orders
What is Private Label Shoe Manufacturing Private label shoe manufacturing means creating footwear that a brand designs and sells under its own name, while the actual production is handled by an external factory. In this model, the brand controls the design, style, and branding, but outsources manufacturing to private label shoe manufacturers in China or […]