Marina Larroudé — who made the leap from editor to retail fashion director to brand founder — made the most of every career experience.

“From Style.com I went to Teen Vogue and was fashion director there, and then I was fashion director at Barneys, which helped me tremendously in learning how to do content and better understand the [retail] landscape in America,” the designer recalled at the WWD x FN x Beauty Inc Women In Power forum on Sept. 8.

The experience she gained along the way was crucial when Larroudé launched her eponymous footwear brand alongside her husband Ricardo in 2020 — right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal was to create luxury shoes for women at a more accessible price point than what is typically offered in the high-end market. She built the company from the ground up, experimenting with new business models and transitioning to a direct-to-demand strategy.

In addition to disrupting the marketplace with accessible price points, Larroudé differentiated itself with unique details, like matching insoles on her shoes. The brand also chose to create its own lasts rather than use existing creations in the marketplace.

“I try on all the prototypes. I need to make sure the shoe is very comfortable. Because otherwise I get a return, and it’s not going to work. I tell the design team, I don’t care how beautiful it is if a woman cannot walk three blocks in them. So comfort and quality has always been a key focus for us. And then we can market it in a fun way,” she said.

When it comes to facing career challenges, Larroudé emphasized the importance of always evolving. She cited the launch of a pre-order system last December, an innovation in response to a shortage of units on Black Friday.

“We’re always adjusting and doing something differently,” Larroudé explained. “Whenever we were hit with the tariffs, we [decided to take] a look at the Brazilian market since we are already [making our shoes there]. And then that grew our business. So I always see a challenge as an opportunity.”

As she advanced in her career and became a mother, Larroudé found inspiration in the mentors around her. “If they can do it all, I can do it all,” Larroudé said. “I saw [my former boss] Amy Astley. She is an amazing editor in chief, she has two children and she’s kind to everyone. Everyone really respects her. So I think that’s my motto, show up every day and do those things.”

Looking back, the designer said she wished she had started her own venture earlier. Her advice to others entering the workforce? “Build a foundation. Build a network. Meet new people. Learn a lot throughout.”