(From left to right): Chase Weikal, Retail Marketing Coordinator; Michael Montevideo, Retail Marketing Coordinator; Shawn Knight, Art Director; Michael De Wit, Art Director; Tom Cooke, Director of Core Footwear

Tell us the story behind your first pair of Vans.
De Wit: "Growing up in a really small town in The Netherlands, it was practically impossible to get a pair of Vans. I convinced my mum to spend a whopping 120 guilders on a pair of vulcanized shoes from America, and I was so stoked to finally have a pair of proper BMX and skate shoes. However, that didn’t stop anyone in high school from laughing at my squeaky, newspaper-printed Authentics. I found out 20 years later that they used the Orange County Register for the print. My second pair of Vans were the Caballero Full Cabs that cost 210 guilders — I traded my savings and endless amount of chores for those."

What's your funniest moment working with the company?
De Wit: "When I was first interviewed for my current position, a huge earthquake shook the whole building. We didn't think much of it, and after we opened the door and everyone was freaking out and running around trying to find a safe place to hide…we simply finished the interview."

What's one sneaker trend you'd never be caught dead wearing?
De Wit: "High-heel sneakers."