Surviving that first year was no small feat, but the challenges didn’t stop there. Over the next five years, businesses faced a minefield of rising tariffs, new taxes, and shifting trade policies, forcing many to rethink how and where they manufactured their products. For a young brand like Larroudé, the odds were stacked even higher.

Turning risks into rewards

But instead of reacting to the chaos, the Larroudé founders chose to rewrite the rules. “We assess if a risk can destroy the company, and if not, we try it and adapt,” explains Enrico Martins, Executive Director at Larroudé. This mindset allowed them to navigate rapid market changes and take bold steps forward. By establishing their own factory in Brazil, they took control of their manufacturing. It was a bold, proactive move in a time of uncertainty. And through these decisive actions, Larroudé has done more than just survive—they’ve set a new standard for success.

Owning the process, owning the future

The turning point came during Larroudé’s second year. Determined to take control of their operations, the team made a bold decision: to vertically integrate by opening their own factory in Sapiranga, Brazil—a region renowned for its shoemaking craftsmanship.

From day one, Larroude knew they would be only as good as their ability to control the process. This move transformed Larroudé into a self-sustaining powerhouse. By owning their production process, they could align inventory with real-time demand, reduce waste, and bring new designs to market faster than ever. Their Direct-to-Demand (D2D) model allowed them to produce only what customers ordered, ensuring efficiency and sustainability.

“We launch new styles almost weekly for pre-order, observe what performs well, then scale production quickly for successful items,” explains Enrico. “This agility is possible because we are vertically integrated, owning our factory in Brazil, which allows us to move from development to production in weeks, unlike the typical 8-12 month cycle.”

Fulfillment built for growth

With a state-of-the-art factory, Larroudé had mastered production. But this very success created a new, high-class problem: a tidal wave of orders from a rapidly growing fanbase. Getting their beautifully crafted shoes into the hands of customers with the same level of precision and care was the next critical hurdle. They had solved for making the product; now they had to perfect delivering it. That’s where ShipMonk came in.

“Agility isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity,” shares Enrico. “We needed a fulfillment partner we could trust implicitly to scale with us and keep our customers happy.”

ShipMonk’s technology-driven solutions became the backbone of Larroudé’s fulfillment strategy. By integrating Larroudé’s Shopify system with our proprietary software, the brand gained real-time visibility into every step of the fulfillment process. This eliminated errors, streamlined operations, and allowed Larroudé’s team to focus on what they do best: designing bold, beautiful products.

“Fulfillment and logistics are a significant cost,” Enrico explains. “After partnering with ShipMonk, it’s been great to streamline operations, integrate systems, and have weekly calls with our Merchant Success Manager, Michelle McCall, to align on priorities. Fulfillment is now less of an issue, allowing us to focus on the overall customer journey.”

The true test of the partnership arrived during a major sales promotion. As orders suddenly exploded by 500%-600%, it was the kind of spike that could cripple a young brand’s operations and reputation. But for ShipMonk, it was just another day at the office.

“During our sale spike, ShipMonk didn’t just handle it; they nailed it,” says Enrico. “Their team treated those hundreds of extra orders like business as usual, and as a result, our customers never felt the rush—we delivered on time like clockwork.”

ShipMonk’s Virtual Carrier Network also proved invaluable, optimizing shipping routes and rates to deliver significant cost savings without compromising speed or reliability. “We’ve seen no difference in service quality or delivery times to our clients, but we’ve benefited from ShipMonk’s larger negotiated rates,” Enrico notes.

This feeling of a proactive, seamless partnership is mutual. From the ShipMonk side, the close collaboration is what makes handling such explosive growth possible.

“Working with the Larroudé team is a masterclass in proactivity,” says Michelle McCall, Larroudé’s Merchant Success Manager at ShipMonk. “Our weekly calls aren’t just about troubleshooting; they’re about future-proofing. We get a frontline view of their growth plans, which allows us to scale resources and prepare our teams in advance. That incredible 500-600% sales spike wasn’t a moment of panic for us—it was an exciting challenge we were fully prepared to meet because of our close collaboration.”

Results that speak for themselves

This powerful combination of innovative design and flawlessly executed delivery didn’t go unnoticed. With their operations running like clockwork, Larroudé earned a spot on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024 list and was named Brand of the Year at the Footwear News Achievement Awards. More importantly, they strengthened their bond with customers, who trusted the brand’s bold designs and reliable service.

“ShipMonk doesn’t just support us; they grow with us,” says Enrico. “Together, we’re proving that logistics can be the difference between good business and great.”

What’s next for Larroudé?

As Larroudé celebrates its five-year anniversary, the brand is poised for even greater success. Expansion into new categories like handbags and ready-to-wear signals their ambition to build an ecosystem of style and innovation. As they venture into these new categories and global markets, they aren’t held back by logistical worries. With ShipMonk providing a rock-solid foundation for fulfillment, the Larroudé team is free to focus on the future.

“We’ve been doubling revenues yearly, and to continue, we need to be better at implementing systems before volumes become too high,” Enrico explains. “ShipMonk’s strong tech infrastructure will continue to be a key part of our growth.”

For ShipMonk, supporting that future is about more than just technology; it’s about ensuring Larroudé’s creative ambitions are never limited by logistics.

“The best partnerships are built on shared ambition,” notes Michelle. “Larroudé is always thinking about the next level of growth, and our job is to make sure logistics are never a barrier. They trust us to handle the volume, so they can focus on designing the next award-winning shoe.”

Ready to scale your business?

Larroudé’s story is proof that the right partnership can turn bold ideas into reality. Whether you’re navigating rapid growth, tackling fulfillment challenges, or looking to optimize your operations, ShipMonk is here to help.

Let’s make your next big move together. Contact us today to get started.