About VALETZ
Our story
Born in the Caribbean.
Where style isn't studied, it's lived. We grew up among the breeze, leather, and the conviction that a good shoe says more than any words.
The origin of every step
Artecal
Before reaching your feet, each VALETZ piece was born in the hands of our expert artisans.
This was our home: a factory where tradition met design. Here, we took care of every stitch and the selection of every material to ensure that you were not just wearing a shoe, but a true work of dedication and quality.
Today we take a new step and all our products are manufactured in Colombia, crafted by artisans who are experts in the field.
We will be eternally grateful to everyone who worked alongside us and to those who opened their doors to us from day one.
2020
It all started with a dozen
In the Dominican Republic, we learned to dream; in Colombia, we learned to create.
Our story began in late July 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. Faced with a landscape full of uncertainty, we decided to step forward with an unwavering purpose: to offer our people quality footwear, proudly made at home. That commitment inspired our first slogan: The Dominican people's shoe store.
Today, VALETZ is the result of bringing these two worlds together, driven by a single obsession: doing things right, from the very first step.
2021
Our first store
A truly unforgettable year for VALETZ. The story behind our first physical store has an unexpected beginning: just one day before making the final decision to start construction, I was in a serious car accident.
In that accident, I lost the vehicle I used to pick up shoes from the factory and deliver them to customers. Anyone would have thought about putting things on hold, but that moment was the catalyst that drove me to take an even bigger risk. I thought that, if I had already lost the means to transport our work, it was the definitive sign to build a place of our own.
2022
Our second store, SD Este.
2022 showed us that we were on the right track. Unlike our first store, this time there were no accidents or drama, just a simple challenge. A colleague challenged me to open a branch in Santo Domingo Este. Since he was someone who didn't know how to turn down a challenge or lose a bet, I went all in.
Opening this second store so quickly was not only a personal victory, but it also reaffirmed our commitment to expansion, offering a modern and elegant space where our customers could find an even wider selection of footwear and accessories.
2023
The Heart of Valetz in Santo Domingo
Growth didn't stop, and in 2023, we took a monumental step. The support from our people was so overwhelming that our original store, measuring just 14 square meters, had become too small for us. We needed to evolve to meet our customers' expectations.
That's why we decided to take the big leap and open a new 140-square-meter location in Santo Domingo, equipped with parking and amenities designed to provide impeccable service. Today, this space is much more than our largest store: it has become our flagship location, the true heart of VALETZ, from where we direct our entire vision and operations.
2024
The Prize of Love and Hate
VALETZ's evolution led us to stand out beyond our borders in 2024, when we received government recognition for our work as a digital startup. To be honest, I went to the ceremony without really knowing what it was about or what to expect, and to our surprise, we ended up winning.
But if I'm being honest, my pride isn't based on awards or trophies. My true motivation is to see my stores grow —which I consider my children— and to know that every customer takes home something they like and that makes them feel good. Rather than showing off an award, we take this milestone as confirmation that we are doing things right, driving us to continue raising our standards for and because of you.
But what do the suppliers have to do with my move to Colombia?
This is where the story gets spicy. At one of those trade shows, an excellent supplier (Eulises from Fatti Amore, a real "heavyweight" in women's leather footwear) told me: "You have to go to Colombiamoda." On a whim, I bought a flight from Bogotá to Medellín and they got me a ticket to the event.
To be honest, I didn't even like Medellín back then, I had already visited once... but that's where I met the person who made me change my mind and pack my bags. Soldier fallen, my brother! They married me off. I ended up "trapped" with a Costeña woman, and since I don't have cheap tastes, I had no choice but to get to work and produce twice as much.
But seriously, seriously, aside from that, I always envisioned the VALETZ project in Colombia. From my first visit, I told everyone: "Bet whatever you want that I'll end up opening a store in Colombia." And well, in addition to everything we have already built in the Dominican Republic, I did it.
But what do the suppliers have to do with my move to Colombia?
This is where the story gets spicy. At one of those trade shows, an excellent supplier (Eulises from Fatti Amore, a real "heavyweight" in women's leather footwear) told me: "You have to go to Colombiamoda." On a whim, I bought a flight from Bogotá to Medellín and they got me a ticket to the event.
To be honest, I didn't even like Medellín back then, I had already visited once... but that's where I met the person who made me change my mind and pack my bags. Soldier down, my brother! I got married. I ended up "trapped" with a Colombian woman, and since I don't have cheap tastes, I had no choice but to get to work and produce twice as much.
But seriously, seriously, aside from that, I always envisioned the VALETZ project in Colombia. From my first visit, I told everyone: "Bet whatever you want that I'll end up opening a store in Colombia." And well, in addition to everything we have already built in the Dominican Republic, I did it.
But what do the suppliers have to do with my move to Colombia?
This is where the story gets spicy. At one of those trade shows, an excellent supplier (Eulises from Fatti Amore, a real "heavyweight" in women's leather footwear) told me: "You have to go to Colombiamoda." On a whim, I bought a flight from Bogotá to Medellín and they got me a ticket to the event.
The truth is that I didn't even like Medellín back then, I had already visited once... but that's where I met the person who made me change my mind and pack my bags. Soldier down, my brother! I got married. I ended up "trapped" with a Colombian woman, and since I don't have cheap tastes, I had no choice but to get to work and produce twice as much.
But seriously, seriously, aside from that, I always envisioned the VALETZ project in Colombia. From my first visit, I told everyone: "Bet whatever you want that I'll end up opening a store in Colombia." And well, in addition to everything we have already built in the Dominican Republic, I did it.
And what's next? (2025 - 2026)
I browsed looking for quality, and I found a home.
The story of VALETZ began with the Caribbean breeze, but the constant pursuit of excellence drove us to cross the sea. We came to Colombia drawn by its legendary shoemaking tradition and the unmatched quality of its materials.
This country welcomed us with generations of artisanal heritage. In workshops where each pair is cut, sewn, and shaped by hand, we found the perfection of craftsmanship that our brand demanded. Today, every VALETZ shoe is the result of that union: 100% genuine leather, crafted by expert hands that understand that quality is not an option, but a promise.
What started as a strategic move to boost production ended in an absolute crush.
We came looking for growth, and decided to put down roots so we could keep walking together.
Caribbean style, Colombian soul.