Leandro Lopes: From Shoemaker’s Grandson to Global Brand Visionary
With Handmade Sneakers, Gourmet Street Food, and Luxury Chocolates, the German Portuguese Entrepreneur Is Building a Multibrand Empire Rooted in Craftsmanship and Culture
Some legacies are inherited. Others are built — stitch by stitch, brick by brick, and bar by bar. Leandro Lopes, a German-Portuguese entrepreneur, is doing both.
Born into a family with over five decades of shoemaking tradition, Leandro’s destiny was carved into leather long before he launched his now-celebrated namesake brand. In 2013, with only €10,000 in startup capital and a dream fueled by passion and grit, he founded Leandro Lopes, a luxury sneaker brand that seamlessly marries old-world craftsmanship with a bold, modern aesthetic.
Inspired by the artisanal legacy of his grandfather, Leandro’s mission was clear: to bring handmade, high-quality sneakers into the global spotlight. He didn’t just want to make shoes — he wanted to create a movement rooted in authenticity, legacy, and premium design.
That movement didn’t take long to catch fire.
Through clever social media marketing and early support from global celebrities like Floyd Mayweather and Jason Derulo, the brand skyrocketed in visibility. What began as a humble idea soon became a viral sensation, turning that €10,000 into over €600,000 in revenue within six months.
Today, Leandro Lopes sneakers and apparel can be found in over 60 stores across Europe, with a team of 40+ dedicated to maintaining the brand’s uncompromising standards.
But Leandro’s story doesn’t stop at fashion.
He’s a multibrand mogul in the making.
He launched Uncle Samba, a trend-setting döner restaurant chain with six locations across Germany and Dubai, blending street food culture with premium dining experiences. Sleek, urban, and delicious — Uncle Samba reflects the same bold, youthful energy that built his sneaker brand.
Then came Habibis, a Dubai-based premium chocolate brand with international distribution muscle. In the UAE, you’ll find Habibis bars at ENOC, ADNOC, and Emaar fuel stations. In Europe, the brand boasts presence in over 1,000 retail stores. And in the United States? Habibis exports around 1 million chocolate bars per month.
Each of Leandro’s ventures shares one thing in common: quality, culture, and global ambition. From handcrafted sneakers to street food to fine chocolate, his approach is clear — blend tradition with innovation, and scale it with strategy.
A new-age entrepreneur with old-world values, Leandro Lopes is redefining what it means to be a brand builder. With successful ventures in fashion, food, and lifestyle, he’s not just chasing trends — he’s setting them. His story, from shoemaker’s grandson to global innovator, is a masterclass in hustle, heritage, and heart.
Editor-in-Chief of Dubai Magazine, and a columnist for Entrepreneur, Middle East Magazine, CEO Magazine, and The Hollywood Magazine. Known for building one of the fastest-growing media networks spotlighting influential voices across business, fashion, and culture. Passionate about telling stories that matter and creating platforms that elevate global talent.
