VOS®

VOS® is an eco-friendly brand established to answer a very simple but profound question: Can you afford to care? VOS® believes most people have a genuine desire to help others and the planet, but unfortunately the majority of these people don’t have the time or resources to have a significant impact on their own. Through the eco-friendly product offering and the Two Steps At A Time™ social initiative, VOS® offers everyone the possibility to help others, keep the planet clean and it’s done without asking people to spend more than what they usually spend on similar products.

VOS® is not only an eco-friendly brand but it also supports a Two Steps At A Time™ social initiative. In partnership with Soles4Souls, VOS® takes a right step of promising for every pair of sandals sold, a pair of footwear is given to someone in need in an under developed community throughout the world. Then VOS® takes a left step and promises that for every sandal that is sold, it also helps provide basic health care and education to the natural rubber producing communities that cultivate the raw material for the sandals, initially in Guatemala. In partnership with AgroSalud and the Guatemalan National Rubber Association, natural rubber producing communities are bestowed clinics which provide basic health care and teach every day personal hygiene and education.

An onsite health promoter is sponsored at each clinic which provides individual face-to-face basic disease diagnosis and treatment, which is critical to people who may not necessarily have access to simple medications like ibuprofen. In addition to providing essential medications, the healthcare component helps maintain good nutrition in children and provides childhood vaccinations and biannual de-worming campaigns. Education goes hand-in-hand with good health, so VOS® is also helping to promote accident prevention in the workplace, oral hygiene and family orientation lectures. VOS® even considers the basic necessities of providing potable drinking water, garbage disposals and latrines.

José Alejandro Flores
Founder

José Alejandro Flores is an entrepreneur by nature; having the advantage of also applying his invaluable knowledge acquired by his multi-national corporate experiences over the years and his International MBA. Philanthropic principles are ingrained in his personal and professional values, which in turn he readily applies to his vision of the VOS® brand. The commitment to be an environmentally conscience brand along with contributing to the social responsibilities amongst global communities in need, are done in a manner that is second nature to him and his organization.

Having charismatic parents of both U.S. and Guatemalan nationalities has provided him with an identity benefit, exposing him to a culturally diverse environment his entire life. He has utilized this identity benefit as an inspiration for the creation of the VOS® brand, infusing his ongoing life experiences in both the developed and developing worlds. His first-hand awareness of the endless array of issues that our global communities face, led to the simple but profound question: Can you afford to care?

His multi-cultural background and international mind-set permeates into all aspects of his professional life, which is spurred by his appreciation of all cultures, languages and cuisines. He is currently completely fluent in English and Spanish, comprehends Portuguese and is developing Italian language basics. He appreciates listening to the Bossa Nova and Bachata music genres and is an avid follower of the global sport of soccer.

Jimmy Flores

COO

Jimmy Flores is the current COO of VOS®. Having been exposed to both developed and developing communities throughout his life, Jimmy has come to understand the importance of social change. Prior to his employment with VOS®, Flores played collegiate, semi-pro and enjoyed a brief stint in professional soccer. Soon after, he took on a position teaching in the San Marcos Treatment Center for children with psychological disorders. When combining his world travels, educational background and professional work experience, Jimmy is a living model of what VOS® represents.

Jayanta Majumdar

Administrative Support

Jayanta Majumdar is a current student at Trinity University and employee of VOS®. Being of East Indian descent, and having grown up in New Mexico, Majumdar brings an extremely diverse background to the company. Having met the Founder through soccer, Majumdar too shares a passion for the game and has spent time abroad where he has seen peoples' dire need of footwear. This, coupled with a hope that all people will one day have access to healthy living conditions and education has led to his smooth integration to the company. As an employee, Jayanta hopes to strengthen his multicultural understanding and help facilitate the global perspective of VOS®.

Triple Bottom Line (TBL or 3BL)

VOS® sandals are made from natural rubber which is an eco-friendly raw material that is sustainable and recyclable. Having a recyclable sandal in a market filled with non-recyclable sandals helps differentiate the VOS® brand, but that’s just half the battle. VOS® has also designed a recycling program to truly fulfill its commitment to recycle its every step by offering consumers close to 900 recycling bins all over the United States. Thanks to the high quality of the sandals and the partnership with Soles4Souls, sandals that are gently worn are donated to someone in need and worn out sandals are recycled. VOS® is also tied to the Two Steps At A Time™ social initiative which is also changing the world by providing healthcare, footwear and education to communities in need around the globe.