In a world where passion often gets buried under paychecks, Abhishek Singhal, a techie from Jaipur with a B.Tech in Computer Science, dared to choose purpose over routine.
Fresh out of college in 2014, Abhishek landed a job with a leading global B2B company. But within a year and a half, the monotony of corporate life set in. “I was doing the same tasks daily. I started feeling I wasn’t building something of my own,” Abhishek recalls.
Being born into a Rajasthani Baniya family, the entrepreneurial spark was always in him. But it was his love for footwear that gave it direction. He observed a rising tide in India’s ecommerce wave—especially in lifestyle segments like fashion and footwear. So, he began small, setting up a modest footwear factory with limited capital. But he had a clear vision: not to follow the traditional retail route.
The Gap No One Was Filling
Whihe interacting with online sellers on Amazon and Flipkart, Abhishek identified a huge market gap. “Many new brands were looking for manufacturers who would do private labeling for them, but no one was ready to take small orders,” he says. This insight became the bedrock of MakeMyShoe—a platform and manufacturing partner dedicated to supporting new-age D2C brands with low MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities) and full branding support.
Despite reaching out to over 300 manufacturers, Abhishek saw how the ecosystem repeatedly turned down small brands and young entrepreneurs. That’s when he knew: he had to build what others wouldn’t.
Bootstrapped But Bold
Founded in 2016, MakeMyShoe has steadily grown into a trusted name in third-party footwear manufacturing. From shoes to slippers, they produce all types of footwear—but what sets them apart is their white-label and private-label services tailored for startups and small brands.
“Many manufacturers don’t want to work with new brands because of their small orders or limited funds. But we do. In fact, we guide them step-by-step—from product development to branding—based on our 10 years of experience in this industry,” Abhishek explains.
Resilience During COVID-19
Before the pandemic, MakeMyShoe was working with over 75 Indian ecommerce brands across all stages. However, COVID-19 hit hard. Many brands shut shop, and the company had to close down two out of their three manufacturing units. Only 10–12 of their partner brands could continue operations post-COVID.
Yet, Abhishek didn’t give up. Today, MakeMyShoe manufactures over 4 lakh pairs annually, with a 25% year-on-year growth rate. The company has rebuilt its team, focusing on transparency, timely delivery, and trust—a trait that now defines its industry reputation.
Building India’s Footwear Future
While MakeMyShoe currently focuses on the Indian market, the potential is vast. “India has a population of 150 crore, and an average Indian buys 6 pairs per year. That’s nearly 1000 crore pairs annually. We just want to keep increasing our share in that growth,” Abhishek notes.
Despite being bootstrapped, the company is now seeking funding to scale operations, invest in modern machinery, and support more emerging brands. Abhishek also stresses the need for government support: “Indian manufacturers still don’t have access to the kind of machines or innovation available in countries like China. If the government helps with tech and tools, we can generate more jobs and elevate the entire sector.”
More Than a Manufacturer
Abhishek doesn’t see MakeMyShoe as just a factory. It’s a launchpad for aspiring entrepreneurs. “We’re not just making shoes. We’re offering guidance and mentorship to every small brand that wants to start but doesn’t know how,” he shares.
With his deep understanding of ecommerce, manufacturing, and market gaps, Abhishek Singhal has turned MakeMyShoe into a catalyst for India’s D2C footwear revolution—one brand at a time.