When I started building BERT, I kept hearing: “The most important part of starting a brand is knowing your why.” But, as many founders might agree, finding that why can be one of the biggest challenges.
At first, my motivation was clear: I wanted to help dogs. I wanted to give them better lives, keep them off the streets, and offer them second chances. That’s why I decided that 5% of our profits would go toward sterilization campaigns in the most underserved areas of Colombia.
We love animals, and it breaks our hearts to see them living miserable lives on the streets. While it’s impossible to rescue and rehome them all, we can help reduce their population by spaying and neutering them.
In Colombia, there are over 3 million stray dogs and cats. Unlike in the U.S. or Europe, third-world countries like ours have very limited budgets for animal welfare. We don’t have enough shelters, and it’s common to see stray dogs wandering everywhere.
Dogs reproduce quickly. An adult female dog can have two litters a year, with an average of four puppies per litter. The only way to address this overpopulation is through sterilization. The situation is especially dire in areas where the government provides little to no support—these are the “underserved areas” where help is most urgently needed.
In January 2020, before the world was turned upside down by a pandemic, we decided to start operations with a clear goal: to sterilize animals in need. For us, more sales don’t just mean more revenue—they mean more opportunities to help puppies and kittens.
Behind the manufacture and sale of BERT shoes lies a greater purpose: to help control the overpopulation of animals in vulnerable situations. There are many ways to make a difference, but BERT is the one I created—the one that you, our customers, have believed in.
For months, we worked toward the big moment. Every pair of BERT shoes we made carried with it the hope of raising enough funds to fulfill our mission. We wanted to prove that this was the right path.
There are achievements that fill your spirit, that reaffirm your life’s purpose, and that give meaning to all your efforts. Today, I’m thrilled to share one of those moments with you.
Last weekend, we successfully held our fifth sterilization campaign in La Guajira, Colombia—one of the most underserved regions in the country. We partnered with “Alma Perruna,” one of the largest animal foundations in Colombia, to make it happen. The campaign was a resounding success!
To everyone who made this possible: THANK YOU. Thank you, life, for giving me this mission. Thank you, BERT, for being the way. And thank you to all of you who wear our shoes and leave lighter footprints on this Earth. You’re the reason we can make this impact.
