Now that I'm back home and have had a chance to catch my breath, I've been thinking about our market week in Paris.
Greg and I made the trip over for Man/Woman, and like every trade show, it was a whirlwind. Long days, nonstop meetings, a lot of walking and trying to squeeze as many conversations as possible into a few short days. Paris was hot, the city was buzzing with Fashion Week and World Cup excitement. It was a great atmosphere; but it definitely wasn't a holiday!
Trade shows are exhausting...But as I look back, they're usually also worth it.
What stands out most isn't any one meeting or product discussion. It's the people.
We had the chance to spend time with partners like Huckberry, talking about where Easymoc is headed and our future growth together. We also had conversations with brands we genuinely admire, including Merz b. Schwanen, exploring ideas for future collaborations and sharing thoughts on where our respective businesses are going.
Some of my favorite conversations, though, weren't necessarily about products!
When you're building a small brand, it's refreshing to sit down with other people who understand both the challenges and the rewards. You talk about manufacturing, growth, mistakes, wins, losses, and what keeps you motivated. There's a level of honesty that comes from knowing everyone is trying to build something meaningful in their own way.
Those conversations remind me that none of us are doing this alone.
That's really what makes shows like Man/Woman special. Yes, they're about introducing collections, meeting retailers, and planting seeds for future business. But the business is really built on relationships. The products may get us in the door, but it's the people that keep us coming back.
At Easymoc, we've always believed in making things the right way, and I've realized that's true of relationships too. They take time. They take trust. And they can't be rushed.
I came home tired, inspired, and grateful. Grateful for the conversations, the familiar faces, the new introductions, and the reminder that this industry is still, at its core, about people.
The shoes matter. But the relationships are what make all of it worthwhile.
-Ryan
