Meet the Crew: Jose Perez

In the Meet the Crew series, we introduce you to the members of Footshop, specialists in their field, who take care of our everyday business. Today’s hero is Jose Perez, the only Spaniard in our office who has a highly important role – he is the curator of the selection that appears on our website and in our stores. Read his inspiring story.

Where did you grow up and how did you end up in Footshop?

I’m from Madrid and after my studies, I decided to move to London and after some time working as a waiter I received a job offer from Prague, unfortunately not from Footshop. After three years in Prague, I saw an opportunity to join the company and did not hesitate (lucky for me they did not ask for the Czech language) and they had the crazy idea to offer me the position. Three and a half years after here I’m, working in the best sneaker company.

What was it that made you decide to work here?

I have been interested in the sneaker and streetwear culture since I was a teenager; I still remember the baggy jeans and XXL t-shirts. I started collecting sneakers when I got my first job. The first thing I did when I moved to Prague was a search for sneaker stores and guess which one showed up first. I already knew Footshop as a customer so when I saw you were looking for people I did not think twice.

Briefly describe what you do at Footshop.

I’m a part of the purchasing team, we are the ones deciding which sneakers will have in Footshop. We are in contact with different brands, and together we make the best selection of sneakers, trying to find the best products for our customers.

What brands do you work with?

New Balance, Reebok, Asics, Patta, Puma, Timberland, On Running, Under Armour, Hoka One One, and Karhu. I also worked with many other brands before. I’m really happy with the brands I work with now, the relationship with all of them is great, and I knew most of their products even before joining Footshop.

What was your first day at Footshop like?

Hard to remember, it was a long time ago, but I remember a lot of Czech and Slovak cool people, very welcoming, very nice, and with cool outfits; from the first day, they made me feel comfortable, but I had to deal, and I still do, with jokes when I try to speak Czech. ‘Love them for that.

Did the expectations of your job match with reality?

Totally, the feeling what you do in your job reflects in the results of the company, when you see customers wearing something that you choose it feels great.

What is your typical working day like?

First things first I make myself a cup of coffee and after that, I’m ready to start the day. I usually check the results of the previous day, check my emails, and start working. From ordering sneakers for future collections, restocking products, or working on projects with the brands to searching for more fashion and streetwear trends and, of course, meetings. It is hard to say because each day is different, which makes my job much more enjoyable.

And what does your day look like after work?

I try to go to the gym, but I have to admit, I fail often; spend time with my friends over 1 or 3 good Czech beers, and on top of that what I enjoy the most is spending the evenings with my dog outside, especially when the weather is nice. And from time to time, lie down on the sofa, order some fast food and watch The Office or read a book.

What are your favorite spots for a dog walk in Prague?

I live near Petrin, I like this spot since it is a really big park with many dogs, so she is happy there. When I have some more time, I like Letna and Riegrovy Sady because of the amazing views of Prague. The last one is Modranska rokle, which is more of a forest than a park, she loves it there.

How many pairs of sneakers do you have?

Not as many as I would like to have. In Prague, I would say around 60 or 70. Some of them were chewed by my dog, and some of them were at too many parties. I don’t wear them much anymore, but I keep them because of the memories. In Madrid, I had around 30 or 40 pairs more in good condition, but working for Footshop, it is hard to hold myself back and my collection is still growing…

Talking about growing your collection, what was your best cop at Footshop?

Hard to say, but many of my retro Jordans and AM1s (concepts and Travis Scott’s).

What do you listen to at work?

I mostly listen to American, British, and Spanish rap, but not only that; sometimes I enjoy listening to some salsa. When I feel homesick, I go for rumba. Also, for the last couple of months, I’m starting to enjoy podcasts.

What are you currently working on?

I make sure we have all the products for the winter and upcoming events. Christmas is near, we need to have the stock full of good products, prepare for the next year’s sell-ins, and work closely with our stores and marketing team for the next campaigns.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I would like Footshop to keep growing, and have new brands and big projects that I would love to be a part of. And of course, it would be amazing if we expand in Spain so I would be more than happy. On top of that, I have some other projects which I like to combine with my Footshop work.