Social Currency with Sammi Cohen Marina and Ricardo Larroudé (Larroudé) on Innovative D2C Models, Betting on Brazil and Trading in the 9-to-5
Nov 11, 2025
Marina and Ricardo Larroudé, dynamic co-founders of Larroudé, share their journey from job loss to launching a successful footwear brand. Marina, a former Teen Vogue fashion director, focuses on innovative design, while Ricardo, an ex-financier, drives operations and strategy. They discuss their unique direct-to-demand model, building a factory in Brazil, and using pre-orders to manage costs. The duo emphasizes product quality and customer satisfaction, while navigating challenges like return-to-vendor dynamics. Their inspiring story showcases resilience and creativity in business.
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Pandemic Launch From The Dining Table
- Marina and Ricardo launched LaRroudé from their Manhattan apartment after both lost jobs in the 2020 pandemic.
- They started very small, shipping from home and hiring two helpers before formalizing operations and a 3PL.
Factory Ownership Fueled Faster Growth
- Building an in-house development studio and factory accelerated growth and allowed fast replenishment.
- Vertical control let them chase demand mid-season and iterate designs quickly.
Manually Fixing A Heel Defect
- Early on they discovered a manufacturing defect where acrylic heels detached and personally reglued dozens of pairs.
- Small crises forced hands-on fixes and rapid quality checks in the warehouse.