Our story
Hello, my name is Shena, and I am the founder of ZZFABER.
My journey with this brand didn't start with a business plan. It started with a personal problem: I have wide feet. For years, I was frustrated, unable to find shoes in the local market that were comfortable, healthy, and fit me properly.
Everything changed when I met Janka. She introduced me to the concept of barefoot shoes, and it was a revelation. A wide toe box, a flexible sole, a design that respects the natural shape of the foot—I realized this was what I had been searching for.
I knew I couldn't be the only one. We decided to start ZZFABER, launching first in the Czech Republic and Slovakia with a customized shoe service for a small group of passionate barefoot enthusiasts.
From the very beginning, it was a challenge. Our manufacturers and designers had no experience with barefoot standards. We were learning as we went, exploring new territory with every pair. Our biggest hurdle was the sole. Our early versions were wear-resistant, but far too thick and hard—they didn't meet the barefoot standard.
It is incredibly difficult to develop a sole that is both thin and durable. Our workshop filled up with samples that weren't quite right. There were times I felt exhausted, but I thought of the expectations of our first, loyal buyers. Their support and praise are what gave me the strength to keep going.
After countless attempts, we finally developed our own mature production line and a design concept we are proud of. We evolved from making custom shoes for a few to serving a growing community of new and old buyers alike.
I am so proud to say that customers who find us tend to stay with us. Many now buy shoes not just for themselves, but for their entire families. We are deeply grateful for this community. We listen carefully to every piece of feedback and use it to constantly adjust and improve.
New customers sometimes ask us, "Why are your shoes so affordable? Is there a quality problem?"
What I want to tell you is this: We are the manufacturer. We produce our shoes and sell them directly to you. This cuts out the middlemen. Our purpose isn't to chase high profits, but to build our brand by making healthy, high-quality footwear accessible to as many people as possible.
It can be said that you only need to buy our shoes once to know the quality.
Our tenet is simple: good quality, good price, and good service. What we pursue is to continuously design comfortable, elegant, and authentic barefoot shoes for you.
