Jose Prochmann is an experienced woman’s shoe designer based out of L.A. Jose and I met during WSA and I took over a month to finally get in touch with him to follow up…. I am so happy I did because Jose has an amazing energy and is definitely someone who has great things to share. Jose has his portfolio on Corflot.com which is a great website for designers to show their work….please take a peek at his creative designs! www.coroflot.com/josep

Jose responded to my posting from last week ( http://www.shoebizness.com/?p=1110 )asking how you folks ended up in this wonderful industry. I love his story and just had to share! You will be seeing more features with Jose, because as I mentioned….he has a lot to share! Thanks Jose!!

“My falling into the shoe business came as a means to pay my bills and university. After high school, needing a job, I went to the local mall saw a sign at the Naturalizer store (sales person wanted) and applied. The manager looked me over and laughed!! She said” after you cut your long hair, wear a suit … with tie, shave… I will give you a job”. The next day I came in for the interview as she requested. Well I asked, do I have the job now? She did not know who I was at first…. then she recognized me. While her eyes getting bigger, she said sure, but there is one more big test you will have to do. This test will have to be done in front of all the girls’ sales staff. No problem!! Bring it on…. I told myself. In the back room all the girls from the store stood waiting for the manager ….. She came to me with a big smile and a few shoe boxes. She explained to me that my next test would be to try on the high pumps….. How can I sell women shoes if I do not know how they feel??? What she did not know is that you never dare a surfer …. Well, I took the dare!!! There I was in the back room with 5 girls laughing at me ….. Black suit and tie …. With 4 inch heel pumps trying to walk holding myself on the shoe racks….My surfing days were all over! Who knew that someday, I would be designing some really cool shoes?” –Jose Prochmann

Check out the designs below from a line Jose designed for Nascar this year! I think they are great!