Mark and Romi met in Buenos Aires and married in 2012, before moving in together in Camden Town. Looking to combine doing something that matters with “something we love”, they started MARMIñAS, selling handmade sheepskin slippers handmade from Buenos Aires hand-finished in their back room in Camden. Each pair they sell gives something to a favourite local community cause, including the RSPCA in north London.
When were you happiest?
This is both cheesy and predictable, but definitely our wedding day in Buenos Aires. The wave of goodwill from friends and family – plus love, security and hope for the future – is hard to top.
Where would you like to live?
Any period home with lots of light, two floors to spread out in, and a garden. We saw a place recently that even had space for a chicken coop. That would be a nice-to-have for Saturday brunch.
What is your favourite sound or smell?
The waft of baking from the Primrose Hill Bakery and the reggae rants from the busker on the canal. But food is probably an even better smell to give a feeling of home too.
Taking a step of faith. Before, we both worked in professions that paid the bills. Now we are determined to work at something we really enjoy, even if it takes a little while to figure out exactly how we’re going to do it. Selling our first pair of slippers felt like we were on The Apprentice: it’s totally liberating to actually sell something and see the possibilities opening up in front of you.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
That if it feels right you should go with it. Sure, reflect on it a little, but it’s much more important to start something than cogitate, digest and prevaricate. Oh, and that most good things in life tend to involve an awful lot of hard work. For example, we have learned so much about websites, marketing, branding and designing a product. But that’s OK, because we have been motivated to do it.
What is your earliest memory or the area?
Mark: Going to see James Brown live at the Forum. He could still command an audience, even if he needed someone to pick him up after his trademark moves. His is the only tour bus I’ve waited to see leave the venue after a gig.
What makes you unhappy?
Seeing people disinterested in the things happening on their doorsteps. Little things can make a better community.
What simple thing would improve your quality of life?
Having a garden where we could enjoy the sun, the grass and a dog. Think the same applies to most Londoners.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Mark: definitely the Marathon kebab shop opposite the Roundhouse. I just wish the authorities had never called time on their club nights they used to hold in the back. When we discovered you could order chips to the “dancefloor”, my word…
Where do you hang out?
Definitely the local pubs. North London has one on every corner. Love the rundown ones, the posh ones and most in between, just as long as they feel local, loved – and preferably have a good fire in winter.
What’s been your best experience?
To start our online business and see the first positive customer comments and photos come in on our Facebook.
What’s the worst thing anyone’s said to you?
It’s difficult to think of much. We genuinely believe most people you meet are genuinely good people. “So when are you going to go back to your career?” is a frequent discouraging comment, if not exactly terrible.
Royal College Street boozer the Old Eagle
We don’t make any money. Obviously it’s a gamble if we ever will. Having pledged to give to charity as a core part of our ‘corporate social responsibility’ programme from day one is both a core reason for starting it, and also why it will be difficult to make money. But if the business does succeed we will be giving more and more, which also drives us.
What has your career taught you?
That it’s very important to work with people you respect and can trust, and it’s better if you have someone who will mentor you, in a genuine old-fashioned sense of bringing you on and giving you opportunities. And it’s surprising the knowledge you pick up through working and real life experience, and how valuable that can be in some perhaps unexpected ways.
What is your favourite dish and why?
Mark: Argentine asado. Romi’s from Buenos Aires and when all our friends came to her parents’ for Sunday lunch before our wedding they told us you just have to create this food, this whole atmosphere back home. It’s about good food, shared – you feel closer to people when you serve and share food – and enjoying lots of different cuts of meat from the traditional charcoal BBQ. It has everything to like about it. Starting a business around this is something we’re working on too.
What did you do today?
Researched international couriers for our business, updated our social media accounts, spray-painted some packaging with our “fileteado” streetart logo, and brainstormed the issues we have to face in the next six months. You get a lot of variety when you combine roles of CEO and delivery guy. Oh, and Romi was holding down a proper job in a restaurant gaining experience for our food project.
If you’re a fan of Ich Bin Kentishtowner, peruse our clothing range of t-shirts, tote bags, kids’ hoodies and babygros here.
1 thought on “Ich Bin Kentishtowner: Mark and Romi, artisan slipper designers”
A brave and inspirational couple. Their lives sound exciting. Plus, I have a pair of their Marminas slippers and 4 months in, with almost constant wear (I’m a stay at he mum with two littluns) they are awesomely fluffy, cosy and comfy! Love and respect to Romi and Mark!