“ The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.” –Leonardo da Vinci
“ The connection that our feet have to the ground is probably the most undervalued connection we make.” –John Brandolino, The Sole Man
The name and concept behind “ The Sole Man” began nineteen years ago, not on Duval Street in Key West, but rather on Lincoln Road in South Beach, Florida. John Brandolino move
d to South Florida from California in 1993 at the request of his former employer, Birkenstock USA. He had a talent for building strong partnerships with retailers and in the process learned everything necessary to open his own business some day. One of John’ s strongest Birkenstock customer relationships, turned out to be his most important; it was with Rosemary Armstrong, who he calls a legend in the footwear retail industry. After twelve years working for Birkenstock USA in all aspects of the business from marketing to product development, John received a phone call and it all came to a fateful end. He was laid off, while in the same town he made his first visits as a sales rep so many years ago-Key West. He seized this pivotal moment as an opportunity; as potential for his dream, the dream of owning his own business. John’ s customer, Rosemary, owned a Mephisto Store in Key West. What John didn’ t know is that she wanted to sell it and move back to Fort Meyers. She wanted John to buy her business not only because of their great business and personal relationship, but because she knew he would be the best person to uphold her legacy. John wore orthotics as a kid and learned early in life the value of good shoes. He realized that shoes need orthopedic value with contoured foot beds to support the arch, bones, muscles and ligaments we take for granted. The connection that our feet have to the ground is probably the most undervalued connection we make. John holds strong to the belief that his footwear and customer service enhance people’ s quality of life. The Mephisto store was reborn as The Sole Man on April 1st of 2005. John has found his calling selling the finest shoes from all over the world while sharing his personal and professional wisdom about the overlooked connection our feet have to the earth. John, The Sole Man, has a staff of footwear experts ready to serve you and your active lifestyle whether you’ re looking for Vibram Fivefingers to run in,Ugg Australia, Fitflop, Chaco, Olukai, Keen and there’ s much more. He still works the business most days selling what he considers the finest shoes available. “ Every brand I carry offers what I consider the most prominent foundation in quality comfort footwear.” “ So slip into something comfortable and if the shoe fits, buy it in every color.”
–The Sole Man
