Andry Mamani, CEO, I-RUN

My name is Andry Mamani. I am the CEO of the I-RUN brand in Peru. I am a young entrepreneur and I love to work in the retail market with shoes and clothes in the sports industry.

I think one of the key drivers of I-RUN’s success has been our deep understanding of the Peruvian consumer. We are constantly interviewing them and also focusing on delivering high-performance, stylish, and affordable sportswear. Affordability is our main value proposition, tailored to local preferences. We’ve also combined innovation in design, strategic marketing, and operational efficiency to rapidly scale our footprint. Additionally, our commitment to inclusivity and representing the diversity of Peruvian athletes has allowed us to connect with our customers on an emotional level, building a strong and loyal brand community.

I-RUN is a vertically integrated sportswear and footwear company that designs, develops and distributes performance and lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories. Our main product categories include running shoes, training apparel, urban athletic wear and active lifestyle collections. We operate through a multi-channel model: physical retail, wholesale distribution—where we have the greatest market share in Peru—and a growing e-commerce platform. We serve both consumers and businesses by offering quality, durability and design at an accessible price point, all proudly developed with a Peruvian identity. We support over 7,000 of our major consumers, helping them to start their own businesses, so we contribute significantly to the economy.

We love to share our national roots of Peru, so we position I-RUN as a leading Peruvian sportswear brand that competes in quality and style while remaining affordable and accessible for everyone. Unlike global players, we are deeply rooted in local culture, which allows us to move faster, adapt quicker and design products that reflect the real identity of the Peruvian market. Our strengths include a highly responsive product development cycle, strong brand equity, and a nationwide presence through both retail and wholesale channels. We are not just a brand—we are a national movement that inspires pride and performance.

We have three main pillars for this. The first is retail expansion—we now have more than 18 stores throughout Peru in different regions. Second, our digital e-commerce platform has helped us reach a younger generation. The most important pillar is regional penetration. We’ve opened key stores in strategic locations across Peru and invested heavily in social media using Peruvian influencers to strengthen our national reach.

At the same time, we sponsor sports events and lead community-based campaigns to drive brand engagement. Our product line has expanded to include youth kits and lifestyle collections, allowing us to serve the whole family and connect with multiple generations.

We have very good Chinese friends and business partners, and we’ve learned a lot from them—especially the concept of building long-term relationships based on trust and a win-win strategy. We are built on trust, consistency and shared growth.

For consumers, we provide a high-quality experience through personalized service, immersive retail environments and accessible design. For business partners, we ensure commercial agility, efficient logistics and mutual value creation.

We actively measure customer satisfaction, implement feedback loops and run loyalty programs to drive repeat engagement. More importantly, we continually invest in quality—our core value proposition—community initiatives and storytelling that emotionally connects with our audience.

We lead because we listen—that’s the most important factor. We also innovate and act faster than our competitors. We are proudly Peruvian and know our people. My dad is from Puno and my mother is from Huaraz, so our roots are deeply Peruvian. Our products reflect the identity and aspirations of our people. We’ve earned the trust of a growing community that sees I-RUN as a symbol of local pride and performance. In a market dominated by foreign brands, we’ve proven that authenticity, speed and purpose win.

Absolutely. While global giants have scale, we have agility, cultural depth and a much stronger emotional connection with our market. I believe Peruvian brands, when built with purpose, innovation and discipline, can not only compete but lead. At I-RUN, we’ve already shown that with the right focus, you can take on any player in the industry. Competing globally isn’t just a goal—it’s part of our long-term plan.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that clarity of vision, self-awareness and execution speed matter more than age or experience. As a young CEO, I’ve had to lead teams older than me, make high-stakes decisions and operate with intensity. My ability to learn, adapt under pressure and think strategically—combined with a deep understanding of marketing, sales and operations—has been key to our growth. I’ve also realized that leadership is not about doing everything, but about building a culture, aligning people around a mission and making smart, fast, high-impact decisions. Being young is not a disadvantage—it’s my edge.

I-RUN is a brand with a purpose. You should know I-RUN just once, and I’m very sure you’ll love it because we release new designs every week. We’re not fast fashion, but we offer design and innovation very fast. I hope everyone can try on a pair of I-RUN shoes one day and share a photo.