Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alex Delgado. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Alex, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Finding my purpose wasn’t some big “aha” moment, it’s been a messy, bumpy road, and honestly, it still is. I’ve always loved creating things, working with my hands, and bringing ideas to life to express myself. But let’s be real, making a living off that isn’t easy.
In my 20s, I ended up in a job I hated, one that didn’t align with my values. I stuck with it for five years because I needed the money. Then, I got lucky and was invited to join a custom shoe project, where I discovered the art (and science) of shoemaking. It felt good, and for the first time, I thought, this could be it.
The project grew, and I finally left my soul sucking job. But just when it seemed like I was on the right path, life threw me a curveball, we were having a baby! Kids are pure love, no doubt, but they’re also expensive. The shoe project wasn’t stable enough to handle that kind of responsibility, so I reluctantly went back to my old work while juggling part-time hours at the shoe company. It drained me completely. I had less time to do what I loved and more time doing what I hated, just to pay the bills, not for a fancy lifestyle, just survival.
With money problems came relationship struggles, and with that, mental health challenges. Before I knew it, I was living in a state of intense mental discomfort, happines was gone, enthusiasm was gone, I was barely holding on, dealing with insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
After two tough years, things settled a bit, and finally left that spirit crushing job for good and committed to shoemaking full-time. But I didn’t just want to make shoes, I wanted to create something uniquely mine. That’s when Teko Footwear began to take shape. This project not only gave me a sense of purpose, but it also helped me heal. That’s why intentional self-care and an appreciation for life are core parts of Teko’s ethos.
With no formal design background, I started sketching ideas and figuring out what Teko would stand for. Reconnecting with my uncle, a cobbler, helped me bring it all to life. Instead of chasing trends, I focused on comfort as the foundation for creativity, connection, and joy. When life throws punches, a good pair of comfortable shoes can ground you, keep you moving, help you get it together, and get back to living the shit out of life.
It’s been a journey full of hard work, sacrifices, and moments of doubt. I know it sounds cliché, but every challenge has been a lesson, and as long as I can make a meaningful living doing what I love, it’s all worth it.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m Alex, founder of Teko Footwear. We’re a family-run company dedicated to designing and crafting ethically and locally made, ridiculously comfortable shoes. Every pair is produced by us in small batches with TRUE handcrafting.
Our purpose is simple: To have fun doing what we do best, making fine-looking, ass-kicking, ridiculously comfortable shoes.
Teko shoes are made for everyone, from every walk of life (pun intended). We aim to promote mobility, creativity, connection, and diversity among our fellow humans. One pair of happy feet at a time.
Here’s why you need a pair of Tekos:
-First of all, they’re insanely comfortable. Your feet will thank you, and you’ll be ready to keep moving, because these shoes are built for walking, and that’s how you’ll truly enjoy them.
-Ethically made. When you buy Tekos, you’re directly supporting the makers (that’s us!). And if the makers are local and good people, even better, right?
-Top-notch quality. Every pair is made with love, care, and premium materials, so we confidently stand by their durability.
-Your size, always. If it’s not in stock, we’ll make it for you, just give us a few days to cook them to perfection, and they’ll be on their way to you.
-Customizable colors. Want a unique look? We’ve got you covered with customizable colors and textures to make them truly yours.
Right now, we’re made-to-order through our website, but we’re gearing up for bigger things! Soon, you’ll find Tekos in select concept stores across California and US. Plus, we’re working on our first line of bags and wallets to complement your shoes, along with fresh new footwear styles.
So, stay tuned, there’s a lot of exciting stuff coming your way!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Adaptability. When I first started on the shoe industry, I had no idea how much adaptability would matter. I thought, “I’ll learn shoemaking, start a business, and boom, life will fall into place.” Yeah, nop. Life had other plans. From going back to a job I hated to support my family, to learning the ropes of running a business on a shoestring budget, adaptability became my survival skill. My advice? Don’t be afraid to shift gears when things don’t work out as planned. Plans are great, but life has a way of shaking things up, and you’ve got to move with it.
Resilience. The ability to keep going when it feels like everything’s stacked against you. I’ve faced moments where I wondered if this dream was even worth it. Nights when I couldn’t sleep because I was so anxious about whether this thing would take off. But you push through. You find little wins and hold onto them. My advice? Don’t give up, even when it feels impossible. Each setback is just a step forward in disguise.
Connection and Collaboration. Teko wouldn’t exist without the support and knowledge of others, whether it was my uncle, who’s a cobbler, or the people I’ve met along the way who believed in the brand. Building genuine relationships and being open to collaboration can take you further than you ever imagined. My advice? Surround yourself with people who inspire you, and don’t hesitate to share your vision. You never know who might want to help.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely! We’re always looking for creatives, activists, dreamers, artists and concious brands who share our philosophy and inspire people. If you or your brand or your project is driven by creativity, connection, social awareness and intentional well being, or if you’re passionate about sustainability, craftsmanship, or celebrating diversity and tolerance, we’d love to connect.
We’re open to any collaborations that spark something meaningful and has a positive impact on our society. whether it’s designing unique styles, creating community-driven campaigns, or teaming up to promote conscious and sustainable living. If that sounds like you, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tekofootwear.com
- Instagram: @teko.footwear
- Other: email: [email protected]
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
