Outfitting the Pros: Juan Lindo

AnewAmerica Entrepreneur Receives NOVA Grant Award from the City of Sunnyvale

“I am an artist; I am a creator ..I always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer and having my own storefront and my own brand name.” says Juan Lindo the owner and designer of Zooni Leathers.   Zooni specializes in designing custom leather motorcycle suits for recreational motorcyclists and professional racers.

Since Juan graduated from high school in his home country of Colombia, he has channeled his creative energy into being an entrepreneur.  He always had an appreciation for working with leather, and when he realize that there was nowhere to buy a Colombian made casual, informal leather jacket in Bogotá, he opened a shop where he made and sold custom-designed formal and casual leather jackets.

In the late 1970s, Juan moved to the U.S. to expand his business. However, he confronted major linguistic, cultural, and political barriers. Instead, he pursued a degree in fashion design, and worked for a leather jacket shop in Palo Alto, where he gained experience designing custom leather motorcycle suits.

Eventually, Juan broke out on his own to launch Zooni Leathers.  He states, “I could make the best leather suits there were. I was a great designer but  not a sales person; nor was I marketing savvy.”  During the economic downturn in 2008, Juan recognized that this missing knowledge was threatening the survival of his business. He states, “Because my product is custom-made, it’s considered a luxury item, and these were the first things consumers cut from their budgets.”

Juan turned to AnewAmerica for the educated he needed to enable his business to survive this tricky market.  Juan states, “AnewAmerica taught me how to write a professional business plan. They have taught me about marketing and advertising, and how to use social media to market my business through classes at their computer lab.”

Recently, Juan was the recipient of a NOVA Microenterprise Assistance Program grant, which enabled him to establish a storefront in Sunnyvale.  Juan also received an AnewAmerica Business Grant, made possible by the support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Job Opportunities for Individuals, program designed to expand businesses and create jobs. Juan used these resources to help him to renovate his storefront, obtain inventory and produce marketing materials.

Juan’s business supports himself, his mother in Colombia and his business employs two people. He states, “My business has given me the opportunity to pay for my children’s education. They are all college graduates and hold important positions in Colombia and the US.”  Juan’s business is also an AnewAmerica Certified Green. Juan is selective about the materials he uses in his designs: he only uses leather that is processed with plant-based materials (vegetable-tanned) and that is recycled from the meat industry.  He also uses the success of his business to give back to the community.  As part of his social responsibility, Juan offered free ESL classes to clients in AnewAmerica in San Jose. He states, “I know from experience that learning English is the biggest challenge for immigrants to integrate themselves within American society.”

Juan’s suits were awarded “five stars” by Cycle World Magazine, and he has the strong support of elite professional motorcycle racers.  To see Juan’s remarkable designs, visit Zooni Leathers at 905 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA, 94087. Or, visit her website at  www.zoonileathers.com.