Filipino shoe brand Triloueva, founded by founder Trina LOUisse EVAngelista, offers trendy and comfortable footwear made from sustainable materials like vegan leather, locally sourced fabric, and wooden heels. With a minimal capital of PHP5,000, Trina aimed to provide affordable, stylish footwear for her size 10 feet without breaking the bank. She managed all aspects of her business, including design, branding, advertising, and packing orders. Trina collaborated with skilled artisans in Marikina, a city known for shoemaking, to create an online footwear business. Triloueva’s marketing strategy combines luxury and affordability, attracting young professionals seeking sustainable and affordable work and business casual shoes.
What distinguishes Triloueva from other footwear brands is that Trina embodies the customer mindset herself. “I personally test each and every product to make sure I am satisfied enough for them to go into mass production,” Trina proudly shared. “My regular clients are a crucial part of my brand. I am always all ears for any input they have on my products. I even adapt some of their names for various shoe styles. By doing this, I want them to feel that they are a significant part of the brand, leading to their continuous support for Triloueva.”
The average lifecycle for Triloueva shoes is 3 to 5 years, a testament to the quintessential craftsmanship of the artisans Trina collaborates with. The brand gained popularity thanks to its top-notch quality and fresh designs. When the pandemic hit, the brand skyrocketed in popularity as Filipino celebrities and influencers rallied behind local labels like Triloueva. Today, Triloueva products are sold online and available at major shopping malls in Manila and Alabang.
With the ascent of Triloueva’s popularity, they started receiving orders from abroad. This made Trina realize the importance of collaborating with a reliable logistics provider that would prove vital to the success of her company’s operations. “For the past years, I’ve received requests from customers asking me to ship abroad but I had a hard time figuring out the logistics of doing it. When I turned to FedEx for support, I was pleasantly surprised by how they were able to activate my corporate account within 24 hours. Since then, FedEx has helped elevate my brand to the next level by opening up more opportunities to ship our products to customers worldwide with utmost convenience,” Trina said.
As a strong supporter of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the Philippines, FedEx offers a robust platform for local entrepreneurs to venture into international markets. With a vast network serving over 220 countries and territories, FedEx empowers SMEs like Triloueva to amplify their global presence. Trina lauds FedEx for its convenient booking, pickup, tracking, and payment processes. “Since I am constantly juggling time between my side hustle and a day job, the convenience and flexibility of using FedEx services have provided great relief for me when needed to manage tedious tasks, giving me more time to focus on my work and business,” added Trina.
Having built a solid name in the fashion world, Trina is even more motivated to expand her business beyond shoes. She envisions a boutique featuring diverse accessories and apparel and dreams of innovating Triloueva’s product line, contemplating including unique heel designs through international collaborations with renowned fashion designers. Moreover, Trina is determined to expand her brand’s e-commerce presence and eventually conquer the Asian market.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Trina’s advice is, “Do not force yourself to keep up with trends.” Amidst competitors shifting their manufacturing hubs for quick sales, she champions quality over fleeting trends.
Discover more inspiring stories from entrepreneurs across the Asia Pacific and how FedEx supports SMEs at FedEx Business Insights.
