Her Story
About Mercedes
Maria Berberian has spent over 16 years innovating in advanced footwear. Drawing from her background in the banking industry and financial institutions, she left that field after having her child to raise her family while pursuing a college degree, as she lacked one previously and was still building her English skills. During her finance classes, she began sketching ideas for convertible footwear that allows the heel to be released when the foot hurts, turning the shoe flat. This concept stemmed from her personal pain wearing high heels and a goal to reduce waste, optimize space in closets and luggage, and address the fact that 71 percent of women in the USA face similar issues. She created her first prototype at home using available resources, such as parts from a ceiling light, and disassembled inexpensive heels purchased from Goodwill to understand construction flaws. After facing numerous rejections from engineering companies, she partnered with a Silicon Valley firm employing former NASA engineers to develop the product. Despite supply chain challenges and the absence of a plan B, Berberian persisted through self-funding and personal sacrifices to produce prototypes and samples. She is now seeking investor funding to launch her first production batch. Her business model includes directing a percentage of purchases to nonprofits supporting women in need and sustainability organizations. Berberian is also a member of women's technology groups, including one in San Francisco.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mercedes
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I read books, I love to read. You know, you have to. And when you're lonely in a journey, the only one in a journey, You have to Kinda kick yourself up. And Would I what I can say is Basically, persistency And believe in yourself. It's It's always the most important thing. It doesn't matter what the people around you Think. Because sometimes you are not surrounded for the right people. It's true. As in because they don't understand what What are you doing? So, the first person that has to believe and be confident about yourself is you. Until you prove it, everybody who did not believe, until you prove it wrong. So, is that? Believe in yourself, keep going, no matter what. Persistency. Perseverance. Patience. Because sometimes things don't come up. The way you intended at the first time. And you have to try it again. Sometimes take you more times than what you thought about it. But it's just a process. You have to look at it as part of the process.
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