Juntos, which means "together" in Spanish, is an innovative shoe company that aims to promote sustainability. Juntos believes that every individual has the power to make a positive impact and that small changes in our lifestyle can lead to significant changes for the better. Their shoes are both stylish and sustainable, made from materials such as alpaca wool and banana trees sourced directly from the Ecuadorian landscape. The production process is responsible and fair, and each purchase contributes to the education of Ecuadorian students in need. I had the privilege of trying out a pair of Juntos shoes and can attest to their comfort and style. Not only are they sustainably made and ethically sourced, but they are also incredibly comfortable and fashionable. Whether you're running errands or taking a leisurely stroll, Juntos shoes will keep you looking stylish and feeling good. Juntos is the perfect choice for those seeking an environmentally friendly option that is comfortable, stylish, and allows them to make a positive impact. Read on to learn more about the Juntos shoe and how it could be the perfect fit for you this season.

Where is Juntos based?
Corporate headquarters are located in New York City. Materials are sourced and produced in Ecuador. Juntos is incorporated in Miami, FL. At the moment we are in-residency at NYU Innovation Labs, and following the accelerator program, Juntos headquarters will be at Soho Works, Dumbo.

What inspired the idea of creating an eco-friendly shoe brand?
The spanish word for “together”.

Co-founder Mauricio, played soccer competitively in Ecuador. And discovered an overlooked shoe worn by soccer players and those who toil. Inspired and known as a street shoe, like the flip-flop is to Rio, this simple canvas lace-up is to cities like Guayaquil, Ecuador. Worn by the working class, day in, day out, they’re an iconic part of the landscape — part functional necessity, part social signifier. Juntos embraced this heritage, refining and repurposing the design while preserving everything that makes the shoe, the shoe.

Why is sustainability important to you?
Co-founder Mauricio started developing business models at Syracuse University, Whitman Business school. He was fascinated by ESG, Purpose and circular concepts which are purposeful. His curiosity and love for design and green natural spaces, culture and people led him to develop Juntos and its circular concept.

Juntos was built with a business model to be community-based and environmentally conscious. Inspired by the popular Ecuadorian street shoe — (el zapato de lona) and the people who wear them, we saw opportunity to rethink something used by everyone, everywhere. We reimagined the everyday shoe using sustainable materials like alpaca wool and banana trees, found in abundance in the Ecuadorian landscape.

Choosing sustainability as a pillared to our brand was a choice made early on in creating circularity in our business model. Juntos team strongly believes sustainability and openness in operation and community are essentials in creating a brand which will provide stakeholders, investors and non-profits student organizations its greatest chances of impact, empowerment and return on investments. The future lies in the hands of businesses and individual to act environmentally aware and responsible.

The co-founders, Sue, Mauricio, and Elias are citizens of the world that firmly believe is the actions of each of us impact the environment. Juntos is committed to being a force for good in the world.

What was your motivation to use alpaca wool as materials for your shoes? What are the advantages of using alpaca wool?
Alpaca is washable. Our shoes must be comfortable! Alpaca is all natural. Of all ranch animals, alpacas are the easiest on the environment. The alpaca fiber is hypoallergenic — keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. As the concept was developed in between Brooklyn and Ecuador. The Juntos team focused in on sustainability and natural resources we could use to develop Juntos shoes.

The alpaca fibers are also superfine and comfy to the foot. Providing a new foot and footwear experience. Juntos Shoes are washable. Remove the insoles, Throw them in delicate wash cycle with cold water. Air dry the pair of shoes following wash cycle.

Can you tell us a little bit about where you get your wool from and why you chose this ranch?
Stuart and his wife Patricia White run a sustainable alpaca ranch in the Ecuadorian Andes near the Mazar Wildlife Reserve outside Cuenca, Ecuador. We work with leading organizations to ensure our materials and production processes are held to the highest standards of farming, environmental support and fair labor.

In the near future we plan to open up our operation to the Juntos community and provide a thorough experience to the Juntos community. The intensions are to operate in an “open source” community approach. The plan would accommodate visitors to spend some time at the ranch. On the digital ecommerce side of our business, we also plan to open up the shop and economics of the business to the Juntos community. Juntos strongly believe a community based open retail concept will allow the brand to develop and constantly improve.

You also use sustainable materials like banana trees, coconut insoles, and sugarcane midsoles in your shoes, where do these goods come from?
The Alpaca fibers are washed and treated in Cuenca, Ecuador. The natural materials; Banana tree, sugarcane and coconuts are tested and treated in between Ecuador and San Francisco by textile experts, Advanced Apparel Concepts. Our EV bottom sole is made out of sugarcane, a practice used to replace a more toxic previous option.

Juntos has commenced the assembly process with the leading manufactures of EVA ultra-soft cushioned shoes of the world. China footwear innovation and capabilities in manufacturing are world class. Nonetheless, Juntos is in process of sampling and vetting factories in Colombia as they are also known as quality footwear makers. Reducing the carbon footprint is always an objective for Juntos. And we plan to bring manufacturing to one place in Ecuador as we learn from the leading manufactures of the world. Setting up a sustainable supply chain is imperative to our long to plans and economies of mother earth.

What made you decide to use these materials vs some of the others that are out there right now?
Co-founder, Mauricio Laniado was born in Ecuador. He comes from a third generation banana farming family from Machala, Ecuador. Banana producing haciendas provide delicious bananas, but also creates waste. The Juntos team and textile experts were able to use and test with local materials which were accessible. It was very helpful to build a concept from a location you have resources and boots in. The materials were selected based off the local waste economy in Ecuador starting with our own family banana hacienda.

It has been a crazy few years, how have you seen staying positive?
Having a diverse group of co-founders helps remain focused and motivated. Working in beautiful settings like the alpaca hacienda and on top of the Andes Mountains also make the job more rewarding and fulfilling. The footwear market continues to grow and shows no sign of stopping.

What is your motto in life?
Discover, Share and replenish the source.

To learn more about Juntos, please follow:
Juntos.co
Instagram: @juntos.co
Juntos: Meet Stuart White

All photos are Courtesy of Juntos.

Juntos - Look Good. Do Good.