Companies

New Generation: João Marques from Marqsol

Oct 21, 2025 Portugal

João Marques, who has a technology specialisation in management, is the second generation to lead Marqsol, a footwear components company based in Portugal

Was working in the industry a natural choice?

It was more of an opportunity than a planned decision. I was transitioning to a Management degree when the chance to join the sector arose. I decided to suspend my studies and seize an opportunity that would hardly be presented again – and it was the best choice I could have made, given all the experience I’ve acquired since then.

However, I recognise that my lack of an academic background created some barriers, forcing me to work harder to acquire the necessary knowledge to stay up to date with the industry.

How would you define Marqsol, and what distinguishes it in the market?

Marqsol distinguishes itself through its internal dynamics. Every employee understands the pace and demands of the current market, a mindset that was instilled from the outset by our CEO, Paulo Marques, who continues to drive the company forward.

In terms of products, we operate on two fronts: a private label side, where we present new collections every season, and an exclusive projects side, developed in partnership with international brands operating in Portugal.

What have been the biggest challenges so far?

Marqsol was born during the pandemic, and we immediately faced enormous challenges, from significant price fluctuations to the phenomenon of orders exceeding the industry’s capacity in the post-pandemic period. Moreover, the current international context, marked by conflicts and uncertainty, fuels instability and makes it difficult to project into the future. Perhaps the greatest challenge is managing a company when you can’t anticipate scenarios and have to maintain responsibility and fixed costs regardless of the volume of work.

What advice would you give to a young person starting out in the industry?

I would offer two points of advice. Firstly, for anyone who is ambitious, eight hours of daily work is not enough to achieve excellence, regardless of the sector. It’s not about devoting your life to the company, but making use of the resources available to us – mobile devices, computers and accessible information – to move forward.

Secondly, don’t limit yourselves to knowing just your own sector. It’s essential to understand the whole ecosystem, including brands, retailers and design teams. The better we understand this network, the better we can align with what the market is seeking. Our industry depends on our customers’ decisions, and we can only respond by getting to know all.

Source and Image Credits: portugueseshoes.pt

Portugal Footwear Components Interview New Generation Portuguese Shoes