Meet Julie Kuo of Avrelife

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Kuo.

Julie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My parents immigrated here from Taiwan over 40 years ago to find more opportunities to provide a better life for themselves and their family. My parents worked relentlessly never giving up on the American dream of being able to find their own success. Growing up was very humbling to see all the struggles my parents endured to be able to make for a better life for all of us.

They left behind all that was familiar to them, their family and friends and with hard work and fierce determination, what started as a two man operation grew into the multi-million success it is today. Knowing very early on that I would join my parent’s company, I would attend college to give myself the foundation, skills and knowledge to be able to be a positive addition to the team to not only continue but grow their legacy. I studied at UCSD majoring in Business Management and graduated in 2003. Two days after graduation, I immediately joined the company and haven’t looked back since. I have been working at my parent’s company for over 20 years now. I came onboard as customer service rep, then a sales rep, eventually becoming the VP of the organization. Being able to immerse myself in multiple positions allowed me to learn the fundamentals from all aspects of the business. I am still working here today all the while pursuing my dreams of launching Avre with my sister Connie. The desire in wanting to support woman from all walks of life and to be able to do this in a sustainable way all while being able to give back to our community was what inspired my sister and I to launch Avre. The very footing of each AVRE shoe is to recognize and celebrate every woman’s step towards an Authentic, Versatile, Responsible, and Empowered life.

Understanding how certain manufacturing practices were damaging to our planet and learning about recycled threads both Connie and I realized there was an opportunity to show the world they could have beautiful shoes that was also good for mother earth. We partnered with Repreve, one of the world’s leading certifiable recycled fibers. All of our shoes are specifically made with these threads derived from recycled PET plastic bottles and in doing so we not only reduce waste filling up our landfills but emit fewer greenhouse gases and conserve water and energy in the process. We empower women to be proactive and to know that the choices they make as consumers are affecting this world in a positive way. Being mindful and aware and making the changes in life for a sustainable future to help protect the earth for many generations to come makes all the difference. As a mother, wife, businesswoman, my actions impact many lives daily. I need to do my part to ensure they have a better future.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
We launched November 2019. We are a business-to-consumer footwear business, and having to operate and run during a pandemic has had many challenges. Not only are we dealing with diminished spending on non-essential items, we have had to deal with limitations of the traditional way of building visibility through social events. Typically you would have influencer social events/gatherings, small pop-ups, but with social distancing and people limiting contact those initiatives have been put on pause for now. Instead, we have had to rely heavily on creating new innovative ways to promote and build brand awareness through social media and organic growth.

We’ve been impressed with Avrelife, Inc, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
AVRE is a newly launched brand that highly values sustainability and women empowerment. The name AVRE stands for Authentic, Versatile, Responsible, and Empowered, and our products are designed to emulate just that. Our brand is created based on our pillar foundation of wanting to do more for our environment while creating designs inspired by women regardless of shape, size, race or creed. Don’t waste it, wear it! We take recycled plastic & transform these renewable materials into each AVRE shoe. Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to reducing the environmental impact that carbon, water & waste makes on our earth. Sustainable practices create sustainable shoes. We pay attention to the small details and understand how important it is for everyone to do their part.

After all, our Earth’s future depends on how we treat and take care of it. All of our designs are manufactured with our signature recycled knitted material. Each AVRE shoe is knitted with fibers created from recycled P.E.T plastic. • reduce waste, • protect our oceans, • improve air quality, • reduce greenhouse gases, • and lessen water consumption • It takes about 8-10 water bottles to create each pair. Our goal is to spread awareness about the positive and ongoing effects our recycled products will have on the Earth. The shoes are made from threads derived from recycled plastic bottles and shipped in waste-minimizing boxes. A percentage of sales also goes toward causes that support women and the environment.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is being able to achieve the goals that you set out for yourself. Success is personal and individual. What I deem as success may not be what the next person sees as success. For me, success is being able to find happiness, contentment and balance in all aspects of my life. Being a mother of two little girls, a wife, and a businesswomen operating two businesses full time, It can become overwhelming at times. Having to understand and accept that all I can do is my best each and every day. If I need to spend a little more time at home one morning because my baby girl is not feeling well, go into work 30 minutes late for a meeting, that may happen. It is not a reflection of how poorly I am performing at work nor a lack of importance I have for work, but rather prioritizing what needs more of my focus, love and care at that time.

Pricing:

• $95 – $145 for shoes

Contact Info:

• Email: juliek@avrelife.com
• Website: www.avrelife.com
• Instagram: @avrelife
• Facebook: avrelife