About Ozznek Shoes

Like many immigrants, Uju's journey to the U.S. was one of survival. She arrived with her two-month-old son, fleeing danger, with no support, no resources, and no clear path forward. At her lowest, battling postpartum depression, Uju had nothing—except a dream. One foggy morning in 2011, she had a literal dream about shoes with removable soles—a vision so clear it became her path forward to designing minimalist and healthy footwear for kids. That dream led to Ozznek Shoes—not just a business, but a symbol of resilience, reinvention, and the power to rise. Today, Ozznek Shoes stands as proof that even in the face of hardship, we can rebuild, we can rise, and we can create something greater than ourselves. We rise, we build, we keep moving forward.Read their story