Meet the True to Sole team!
If you have already visited the True to Sole store in Budapest, you may have met several of our team members in person, and you may already know several TTS faces from videos and interviews. Now you can get to know the whole team: whose favorite sneakers are, what is their relationship with the Hungarian sneaker culture, and what they do at True to Sole!
The list of interviews is constantly expanding:
Attila Pótor / Dóra Sebastian / Dávid K Nagy / Gergő Boroznaki / Máté Kállai / Zita Wu / Olivér Zoltai / Krisztofer Tóth / Peti Korányi / Márk Mráz / Rudolf Orbán / Dávid Horváth
Attila Pótor - Founder, Owner
Why and how long have you been interested in the world of sneakers and streetwear?
Roughly since 2015. At first, I was attracted by basketball shoes (Kobe, Jordan brand), then I got to know and delve more deeply into sneakers, thereby broadening the spectrum.
I have been dealing with sneakers professionally since 2017 and since then I have had all kinds of shoes in my hands, I have been lucky enough to come across some real rarities.
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers?
Air Force 1 White
Air Jordan 1 Royal
New Balance 327 Casablanca Orange
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers from the last 1-2 years?
Nike Sacai collabs
the innovations of the Yeezy brand (I would not highlight a specific model)
New Balance 327
What do you like about a particular sneaker?
The innovation and the story behind it.
Do you dress up with your sneakers or vice versa?
This varies: I don't necessarily dress for shoes, I think it depends on the event. On weekdays, most of the time, comfort dominates, and if there is some kind of event, I dream up my outfit for that.
What are your tasks in the True to Sole team?
- Determining the company's strategy
- Guaranteeing suitable conditions for both employees and customers
- Continuous improvement of customer experience
- Acquisition
- Logistic tasks
- Team management
- International expansion
Why do you like working in the True to Sole team?
Anyone who has been to us knows how friendly and familiar the atmosphere is. Thanks to this, I dare to say that everyone is happy to come to work. And the most important thing is that I love what I do, so I don't see the tasks as a burden, but as a continuous challenge and an opportunity for development.
Any sneaker stories?
It's a small thing, but around 2015-2016 I really wanted the Air Jordan 6 Carmine colorway, but obviously I couldn't afford it.
When it came out now, in 2021, I bought one for myself and it means more than any more special, extra, expensive shoe because I have a personal connection to it. In my opinion, such small personal stories make shoe collecting beautiful and interesting.
What do you think about the sneaker resell phenomenon?
It's a huge market that still has an awful lot of growth potential. Personally, what I like most about it (which is also the biggest challenge) is that it changes at a tremendous pace, it is very dynamic and you have to constantly adjust and adapt to it.
Dóra Sebastian - Owner
Why and how long have you been interested in the world of sneakers and streetwear?
I was about 13-14 years old when I bought my first pair of Nike Dunk shoes, which I still have! There and then I began to see the beauty in shoes.
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers?
1: Air Jordan 4 x Off White “Sail”
2: Air Jordan 1 Low “CNY”
3: Nike Dunk Low “City Market”
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers from the last 1-2 years?
1: Nike Air Force 1 x Off White “Was”
2: Air Jordan 4 Retro “Cactus Jack”
3: Nike SB Dunk x Travis Scott
What do you like about a particular sneaker?
When I see that they have thought about a shoe, they have dealt with it and it has good things to say! Small details, or that the right and left pair use different colors, the tick is reversed, little surprises like hidden pockets and the like.
Do you dress up with your sneakers or vice versa?
First the shoes, then the clothes! I don't really like expensive clothes, so I dress up my average clothes with shoes :)
What are your tasks in the True to Sole team?
It is quite complex what my task is. I would say that I am an investor and I participate in deciding important issues that ensure the future and progress of the company.
Why do you like working in the True to Sole team?
I like being a member of the TTS team because it's not just a workplace, it's a group of friends, even a family! I don't think there is anything more important than going to work with a good mood, enthusiasm and motivation, and not even by chance saying "oh, I have to go again"...
Do you have a good sneaker story?
In the beginning, when I didn't have the opportunity to buy the shoes I wanted with my own money, I unfortunately ran into a fake shoe site. I thought I was lucky to be able to find a Yeezy 350 v1 “Pirate Black” at such a good price, but then it turned out pretty quickly that I had been scammed...
What do you think about the sneaker resell phenomenon?
I think that "resell" and "reselling" has grown into one of the most rapidly developing activities and includes a lot of things! It has always been and always will be, only sometimes more people are looking for this, sometimes more people are looking for that - and there will always be those who appear as sellers.
I am very happy that with True to Sole in Hungary we were able to show what a real resell store is like. At home, it's still a bit of a foreign genre, but we're getting better and better feedback!
David Nagy K
Why and how long have you been interested in the world of sneakers and streetwear?
I have been a part of this culture/community for almost 10 years, but I have only been playing a more active role in this world for 4-5 years. Appearance has always been important to me, as style is a certain form of self-expression. I found this in the streetwear line . It's been a few years since the beginning and I feel like I'm moving up a step every day in my role in this world.
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers?
Nike x Sacai LD Waffle Summit White
Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro High Nigel Sylvester
Nike Air Force 1 Low White
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers from the last 1-2 years?
Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro High NYC to Paris
Nike Dunk Low City Market
Nike Air Force 1 Low G-Dragon Para-Noise White (+Black)
What do you like about a particular sneaker?
First of all, the combination of the silhouette and the color scheme itself, but the use of high-quality materials is also essential. Unfortunately, there are more and more looks that are overhyped, but the use of materials in sneakers is getting weaker and weaker.
Do you dress up with your sneakers or vice versa?
9 times out of 10, I dress up with my sneakers, because for me the shoes always crown the outfit. I have been saying this for at least 5 years now, and I would say the same in 5 years.
What are your tasks in the True to Sole team?
My main task is to ensure that those who ordered from True to Sole can open the box as soon as possible: this includes supervising our stock in Budapest, maintaining contact with foreign warehouses and buyers, and the shipments themselves. But I also have plenty of tasks related to our social media channels and the webshop.
Why do you like working in the True to Sole team?
Without a doubt, True to Sole is one of the best places to work in the world. I suspect that all my colleagues will answer this question by saying that we are like a family, but we really are.
In a good workplace, you don't even think about the fact that you have to go to work again in the morning, rather it feels a bit like you're going home from home, because for me True to Sole is my second home. Not to mention that you work together with your friends, with whom you (normally) go out to eat, party, hike, and travel on your days off.
Any sneaker stories?
I have countless sneaker related stories from the past few years. Thanks to the shoes , I've practically traveled halfway around the world: I visited the SoleDXB event in Dubai, I covered almost all of European Sneakerness, I've camped in several countries, and I've visited a lot of sneaker/streetwear stores around the world. In addition, I met so many new people, and I believe that this world connects us and that we are part of a big community.
What do you think about the sneaker resell phenomenon?
It's hard to answer this question without sounding like a schizophrenic. On the one hand, it's sad that if you really want a special sneaker for yourself, there's roughly a 0.0001% chance of getting it at retail price. On the other hand, I work for one of the largest resell companies in the region , and now I have realized that if you really want a shoe, you have to pay the current market price for it, because the supply-demand relationship exists to some extent in every industry.
Gergő Boroznak
Why and how long have you been interested in the world of sneakers and streetwear?
I clicked on sneakers in the last years of elementary school. It was always cool to wear sneakers in our apartment complex and it was a great feeling to buy my first Nike shoes, which were followed by countless others. I started the sneakerbox.hu project in 2009, thanks to which I was able to immerse myself in the domestic and international sneaker culture and learned a lot and met a lot of interesting people.
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers?
I'm usually in serious trouble when people ask me this... I'm really enjoying wearing my Yeezy 700 OG Wave Runner these days, I really like my CDG Converse Chuck 70 sneaker and now the classic Air Jordan 1 shoes have started to collect in all kinds of colors - including Turbo Green and Dark Mocha cw which I love the most.
What do you like about a particular sneaker?
It's instinctive for me. In the case of a sneaker, its shape is captured by its colors and overall effect. I primarily like shoes whose lines radiate energy and dynamism. But I also need the "accessory" of being one of my favorite brands and seeing it on people who like its style and appearance.
Do you dress up with your sneakers or vice versa?
This is how it usually "turns out" for me in the morning. There is always a piece that I want to wear that day and then the whole outfit changes to that. This basic piece is usually a sneaker, but sometimes it's a T-shirt.
What are your tasks in the True to Sole team?
Like everyone else, my responsibilities are very diverse. The main area is the marketing of True to Sole, it has a lot of elements from ads to own content to collaborations. The customization, development, and translation of the webshop is mostly my job, and one of the biggest projects of the recent past, our entry into the Romanian market, was also connected with this. In addition, I try to simplify and make the work of the entire True to Sole team more efficient by rethinking and organizing work processes.
Why do you like working in the True to Sole team?
I think everyone's dream is to make their hobby their job. At True to Sole, I can do what I love in all aspects, since marketing is my profession and sneakers are my main interest. But what is equally important is that a very good team has been formed, where we are not only colleagues, but also friends. We share a love of sneakers, and I think we can learn a lot from each other!
Any sneaker stories?
That's all there is :D It's truly incalculable how many experiences, acquaintances, and friendships I owe to the sneaker culture, the digital imprint of this can be found in the sneakerbox.hu blog and vlog :)
What do you think about the sneaker resell phenomenon?
I'll be honest: I'm having a hard time getting used to the resell phenomenon, but it's grown to such an extent that you either adapt to it or stay with sports store "sneakers". Masses want to wear (limited) sneakers, plus masses have realized that you can make money with them, which has exploded the demand. The sneaker brands have done something brilliant: they mass- produce limited sneakers.
From there, it's simple economics: huge demand and limited supply are balanced through prices. It is an exciting phenomenon in its own way, as the sneaker purchase is already a cyber war, where bots fight bots and where young businessmen buy and sell such quantities of sneakers that even "traditional" retailers would only blink at. Of course, as a sneaker fan, I also see the less gratifying side of the coin: the sure-to-death "L"s on SNKRS, the raffles held to participate in the raffle, and the rising prices fueled by global demand. So I'm curiously watching the latest developments in the sneaker (resell) market - I can't do anything else :D
Máté Kállai
Why and how long have you been interested in the world of sneakers and streetwear?
I fell into the world of sneakers about four years ago. One of my friends introduced me to it and since then I have been actively involved in the domestic sneaker and resell scene.
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers?
Air Jordan 1 "Bred Toe"
Yeezy 500
Air Jordan 1 "Game Royal"
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers from the last 1-2 years?
Air Jordan 1 “Lucky Green”
Air Force 1 “Valentine's Day 2021”
Air Jordan 4 “Metallic Red”
What do you like about a particular sneaker?
My friends tell me that I usually like shoes that most people don't. I like colorful, unique shoes (like the Street Hawker Dunk), but I generally like anything with red and white on it.
Do you dress up with your sneakers or vice versa?
Mostly with my sneakers, but if I have a really cool new outfit that I definitely want to wear, then the other way around.
What are your tasks in the True to Sole team?
I am responsible for ensuring that the packages reach the customers in order. I also help with anything, be it procurement or customer service tasks.
Why do you like working in the True to Sole team?
In the morning, when I leave for work, I'm happy to see the guys again. It's like a big family: everyone helps everyone.
Sneaker story?
I met most of my friends "through" sneakers and I have a lot to thank them for. I have countless experiences related to this, which will stay with me forever and carry me forward.
What do you think about the sneaker resell phenomenon?
Personally, I have no problem with it. Lots of people make their money doing this, often as teenagers. Of course, at first I also had a hard time accepting that if I didn't manage to get one of my "grail sneakers" in retail, I slowly realized that sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
Zita Wu
Why and how long have you been interested in the world of sneakers and streetwear?
Unfortunately, my parents did not allow branded clothes and more expensive shoes, so approx. I was able to buy my first more expensive sneaker 4 years ago. It was a Yeezy 350v2 Static Reflective, since then I have been collecting shoes and found my style. I feel like the sneaker/streetwear world is getting closer to me every day.
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers?
Air Jordan 1 Mid Melody Ehsani (will always be number one, the most special sneaker for me)
Yeezy 700v3 “Arzareth”
Air Jordan 1 High UNC (2015)
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers from the last 1-2 years?
Travis Dunk (My Big Dream)
Air Jordan 1 High University Blue
Air Jordan 1 Mid Melody Ehsani
What do you like about a particular sneaker?
Uniqueness, specialness, color scheme, story.
Do you dress up with your sneakers or vice versa?
It changes, sometimes for sneakers, sometimes for my pants. The point is that I always shine in colors.
What are your tasks in the True to Sole team?
I work as a salesperson, I like to help customers find the most suitable sneaker for them and willingly help them leave with maximum satisfaction.
Why do you like working in the True to Sole team?
Who doesn't want to do what they are most attracted to and understand best? I am very grateful to be here in this team. I am very happy that we have a lot of fun together, we organize huge social game days, which brings the team even closer.
Any sneaker stories?
I found my partner thanks to sneakers, we met for the first time at a sneaker event.
What do you think about the sneaker resell phenomenon?
Since I also sell shoes and have an established customer base, I hear from a lot of people that it is difficult to get limited shoes at home.
I'm happy if I can help them get the product they want from a reliable source, putting a little smile on their face.
Oliver Zoltai
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers?
- Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 V1 Wave Runner
- Nike Air Force 1 Low Triple White
- Air Jordan 4 Retro Metallic Purple
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers from the last 1-2 years?
- Adidas Yeezy Foam Runner Sand
- Air Jordan 1 Retro High Dark Mocha
- Travis Scott x Fragment Air Jordan 1 Low
Do you dress up with your sneakers or vice versa?
I usually try to spice up simple oversized basics with some cool sneakers. So the jewels of my outfit are definitely my sneakers.
What are your tasks in the True to Sole team?
As a store manager, I am fully responsible for the store: for me, the most important thing is that every customer leaves the store with a good experience! In addition to the continuous training and management of the store staff, the preparation of analyzes is also one of my main responsibilities.
Why do you like working in the True to Sole team?
Even before True to Sole, fashion was close to me, so I felt at home from my first day. I would like to develop together with the brand, luckily I joined a team where my colleagues motivate me every day.
What do you think about the sneaker resell phenomenon?
I think both the wearing of sneakers and its culture are becoming more and more popular in our country, and we want to bring this world as close to people as possible.
Christopher Tóth
Why and how long have you been interested in the world of sneakers and streetwear?
I have been interested in the world of streetwear since I was a child, as there were a few shoe collectors in the family. I started my own collection back in 2016 - since then it has become my passion.
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers?
-
Air Jordan 1 Chicago (2015)
-
Nike Air Max 1/97 Sean Wotherspoon
-
Air Jordan 1 UNC (2015)
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers from the last 1-2 years?
-
Nike SB Dunk Low VX1000
-
Nike SB Dunk Low Travis Scott
-
Air Jordan 1 Dark Mocha
What do you like about a particular sneaker?
The story behind the shoe itself, I like more special collabs or color combinations.
Do you dress up with your sneakers or vice versa?
Definitely dress up with sneakers! I also buy clothes just by looking at what would go well with a particular pair of shoes.
What are your tasks in the True to Sole team?
As a salesperson, I have a lot of tasks, but the most important thing is to help everyone find the right sneaker or dress in the store and to enrich everyone who visits us with a good experience.
Why do you like working in the True to Sole team?
When I started working here, everyone was very kind and helpful and I was accepted into the team very quickly. The environment is very familiar and I am happy to be able to work in such a place, where my hobby is actually my job.
What's a great sneaker-related story you have?
I have been following Round Two's YouTube channel for a long time and watch their videos regularly. At the beginning of 2020, I was lucky enough to go to their store in Miami and buy a sneaker there. It was a great experience for me.
What do you think about the sneaker resell phenomenon?
This thing has been working for a long time, more and more people are doing it. I think that if someone wants a little extra money from their teenage years, then they can start. However, if you have a good Dunk, I would bring it in retail ;)
Peti Koranyi
Summary sentences for the Story:
I like extremes in sneakers: either they should be completely clean or take me out of my comfort zone. As a seller, my number one task is to create an atmosphere in the store where people feel good and want to come back. When choosing my first basket sneaker, approx. I spent 7 hours in a store, so a good atmosphere is important :)
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers?
- Sean Wootherspoon Nike Air Max 1/97
- Nike Dunk High Spartan Green
- Nike Air Force 1 Triple White
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers from the last 1-2 years?
- Jordan 4 Metallic Red
- Nike x Sacai Vaporwaffle Black/White
- New Balance x Aimé Leon Dore 550 White Green
What do you like about a particular sneaker?
There are two things that immediately grab you in a sneaker. One is simplicity: I like a sneaker to be clean and simple. One or two colors, or perhaps a small detail, which makes it stand out from the circle of ordinary shoes. The other is if it takes me out of my comfort zone: the more special, the better.
So either it should be very simple or very colorful or futuristic.
Do you dress up with your sneakers or vice versa?
Basically, the shoes define each of my sets, in most cases it is the starting point. It is very rare for it to be the other way around.
What are your tasks in the True to Sole team?
As a salesperson, in addition to store tasks and customer service, my number one task is to create an atmosphere in which people who enter the store feel good and want to return.
Why do you like working in the True to Sole team?
I like working with people who motivate me every day to be better at what I do. We have it here to the max.
What's a great sneaker-related story?
My favorite story is related to my first basketball shoes. It was the first edition Kyrie 2. My mom and I traveled out on release day just to buy it. In the end, I liked two other shoes and we spent more than 7 hours in the store until I gave birth to decide which one to get... At least I thought about it well and luckily I didn't regret it in the end, I still have it now, in relatively good condition.
What do you think about the sneaker resell phenomenon?
I think it's a very good thing. It makes limited edition shoes available to almost everyone and you can also make very good friends thanks to this.
Why and how long have you been interested in the world of sneakers and streetwear?
I started following the world of sneakers and streetwear in 2017. For me, it was always the story behind the shoes that made them really interesting and special.
Márz Mráz
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers?
- Jordan 1 High Og Obsidian
- Dunk Low Retro Black & White
- Jordan 4 Oreo
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers from the last 1-2 years?
- Jordan 1 High University Blue
- Nike Air Max 1 Patta Aqua Waves
- Jordan 4 Metallic Purple
Do you dress up with your sneakers or vice versa?
I usually adjust my shoes to basic outfits, I like to spice up my sets with an extra pair of sneakers.
What are your tasks in the True to Sole team?
My main task is to deliver products ordered in the webshop to Hungarian and foreign customers - this consists of many complex tasks. In addition, my task is to ensure that everything in our warehouses is always organized.
Why do you like working in the True to Sole team?
TTS is a workplace that I enjoy going to every day. The environment is friendly and we have a good time with the team all day in addition to work. It gives me great motivation to achieve my goals and I learn and develop a lot during my time here.
What's a great sneaker-related story you have?
My very first shoe sale is an interesting story, but looking back it was a great experience. I sold my Jordan 1 High 'Travis Scott' to an Asian guy. He forgot to say that he was coming from Vienna for the shoes, so one of my friends and I waited for him for 7 hours, during which time we traveled all over Budapest. In the end, the deal came together and we even had a memorable day.
What do you think about the sneaker resell phenomenon?
I don't think there is a problem with it, sneakers have huge potential. Resell is also one of the important drivers of hype around shoes. It is a good opportunity for many young people to earn pocket money, in addition to the fact that they can learn a lot of useful things from it, which can later be useful in other areas.
Why and how long have you been interested in the world of sneakers and streetwear?
I first encountered sneaker culture three years ago. I fell in love with the world of shoes at a domestic sneaker-themed event. Since I didn't have a large budget to spend on shoes, I started trading them. Thanks to this, I got to know a lot of people and made many friends that will last to this day.
Rudolf Orbán
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers?
Jordan 1 Dark Mocha, Nike Air Max 97 Sean Wotherspoon , Air Force 1 in almost any colorway.
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers from the last 1-2 years?
Nike SB Dunk Low Chunky Dunky, Jordan 1 For Ma Maniere, Jordan 1 High Travis Scott x Fragment.
What do you like about a particular sneaker?
Unfortunately, there are only 5-6 models whose design I really like, plus they are also acceptable in terms of comfort, or maybe they are particularly good! After the form, the next aspect for me is, of course, the color scheme.
Do you dress up with your sneakers or vice versa?
It depends on what kind of day I have, but usually the other way around.
What are your tasks in the True to Sole team?
I communicate with customers and connect them with members of our team. I try to keep in touch with you as best as possible on all platforms, because you are the most important to us!
Why do you like working in the True to Sole team?
Because here I not only found colleagues who work precisely and precisely, but also very good friends. It's a pleasure to come here every day, not only because of the community, but because I like dealing with sneakers/streetwear, as well as communicating with our customers and helping them.
What do you think about the sneaker resell phenomenon?
Unfortunately, like everything, the sneaker resell phenomenon has its downsides, but it wouldn't be honest to say I'm against it, as I'm a part of it both as an individual and as a member of the True to Sole team.
Why and how long have you been interested in the world of sneakers and streetwear?
I have always seen dressing as one of the defining forms of my self-expression, which is how I became interested in rarer/more special shoes and clothes. I have been interested in the world of sneakers and streetwear since I was 14 years old, which is why I started working at Nike right after high school. It was the work that I liked to do, and to some extent it felt like a hobby. The experience and knowledge I gained there led me to True To Sole. For some reason, the Yeezy hype that was current at the time was completely missed by me - recently I started to make up for it with the 700 Yeezys). Because of their style, Nike shoes/clothes always came in.
David Horváth
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers?
Nike Yeezy 2 Red October
Air Jordan 1 Retro High "Off-White - UNC"
Macklemore x Air Jordan 6 Cactus
What are your TOP3 favorite sneakers from the last 1-2 years?
Jordan 1 Retro High Trophy Room "Chicago"
Jordan 1 High OG Rebellionaire
Nike SB Dunk Low x Grateful Dead Bears Green
What do you like about a particular sneaker?
In most cases, it is the color that determines whether a particular sneaker wins my favor. Especially if it is a striking, wilder color, but the silhouette of the shoe often plays a role. If some graphics or a little hidden extra appear on my shoes, that's a big plus for me.
Do you dress up with your sneakers or vice versa?
I think I'm one of the few people here in the company who prefers to match his sneakers to his outfit. I always have a piece of clothing, mainly a t-shirt or hoodie, to which I adjust my entire look, including shoes.
What are your tasks in the True to Sole team?
I am responsible for receiving and checking the received goods, and that the dear webshop customers receive their orders on time and in immaculate condition.
Why do you like working in the True to Sole team?
At True to Sole, I can pursue my hobby in an excellent team. Thanks to the family atmosphere, constant cheerfulness and friendly atmosphere, I can work in a workplace where I am happy to go every day.
What do you think about the sneaker resell phenomenon?
It's a great way for almost anyone to get limited edition sneakers and it's also a great way to make money.
Why and how long have you been interested in the world of sneakers and streetwear?
I have been attracted to this world since I was about 13-14 years old. I've always been a big basketball fan, that's where my love for shoes comes from, and I've always been heavily influenced by hip-hop and street culture - this is also reflected in my style.