From a Personal Problem to a Unique Footwear Brand

Finding comfortable, durable footwear can be challenging when standard shoe sizes do not fit. For Avi, founder of House of Avi, this personal frustration became the starting point for building a distinctive footwear brand. Around 2017, while living in Australia, Avi struggled to find comfortable footwear that suited his needs. Instead of continuing to search, he decided to make his own.

What began as a personal solution gradually evolved into House of Avi, a footwear company focused on comfort, durability and inclusive sizing. The brand primarily caters to women today, after Avi’s friends’ wives showed interest in the sandals he had originally created for himself.

House of Avi’s Inclusive Shoe Sizes

One of House of Avi’s strongest differentiators is its extraordinary size range. The company offers regular footwear sizing from size 4 to size 20, a range Avi describes as unique globally. While larger sizes may be available elsewhere through custom orders, House of Avi offers them as regular sizes across its designs.

This approach addresses a significant gap in the footwear market. According to Avi, large-scale manufacturers generally focus on sizes that serve the majority of customers, leaving many consumers unable to find suitable footwear. House of Avi instead focuses on the underserved segment and has built a strong identity around inclusive footwear.

Made in India and 100% Bootstrapped

House of Avi operates with production facilities in Ambala and Agra, with family members involved in the manufacturing side of the business. Its own production teams include 13 people in Agra and 16 in Ambala. The company is also completely bootstrapped and is not currently seeking external investment.

The founder’s approach is centered on building a long-term, generational business rather than pursuing rapid growth through outside capital. He wants the brand to focus on producing solid footwear that lasts, while maintaining control over its long-term direction.

Building a Niche Footwear Brand

Around 70% of House of Avi’s sales come from its unconventional and larger sizes, demonstrating the strength of its niche positioning. The brand offers heels, mules, flats, sandals and loafers, with some larger-size designs gaining traction in international markets.

Rather than chasing every fast-fashion trend, House of Avi focuses on classic and timeless footwear designed for long-term use. This strategy reflects Avi’s broader philosophy: instead of competing for the largest market, the brand is building products for customers who have historically struggled to find footwear that fits.

Featured to The Startup Caffe

This story was featured on The Startup Caffe, highlighting House of Avi’s journey of building inclusive footwear through niche-focused innovation.
The conversation showcases how solving a personal problem can evolve into a distinctive, purpose-driven business.