Michael Gerlach: „Frank and I have know each other for quite a while. While he was a purchasing agent for Salamander, I was working as a sales agent for K&S. We first met on an exhibition. At that time, I represented an Italien design line and always thought: „It’s a shame that we are currently not tapping its whole potential.“ I told Frank so and he said: „Then let’s try to do it.“
Frank Prenntzell: „At the time, the Bread & Butter was on, and wir had become acquainted with the organisers of the fair. We knew straight away: Here is where we want to exhibit. But not with just any kind of stand. So we contemplated: „How can we make it different?“ 
Our idea was to present the collection in a butchery. We put the shoes in an illuminated sausage counter and hung the sandals on butcher hooks. The hightlight was a real sausage cutting machine that sliced a yellow snake skin boot. Of course, this was a true eye-catcher, and our first common appearance.“
Michael Gerlach: „A little later, during a customer appointment, I received a call from Italy. When I answered in Italian, my customer said: „Gee! You speak Italien fluently, you’d be exactly the right one! The company Olip is currently looking for a sales agent and collection designer for its brand AirStep in Germany.“ The name Olip was known to me as they had lately captured the shoe market. I knew straight away that I would do this together with Frank. In May 2004, the two of us travelled to Italy. For the owner of Olip, this wasn’t a job interview at all - but our first working day. After two hours, he just said: „Okay, just start and have a go!“
Frank Prenntzell: „Boosted with this confidence, we went to the first fairs where we had a great kickoff. In Milan we first saw the booth from AREA FORTE that instantly attracted our attention. The owners had known us by sight and came up to us like bloodhounds: „What are you doing here?“ I just answered instinctively: „Are you possibly looking for sales agents?“ They just looked at us and said: „Yes, for Germany we are still on the search.“
Michael Gerlach: Then most surprisingly, one of the two guys packed their best shoes into a bag and handed it over to me. Although he knew nothing about us - no address, no info. When I hesitated, Frank said: „Now hurry up, we need to send them to Asia immediately!“ He found this funny and so the ice was broken. And we didn’t let him down: until today, we successfully cooperate with AREA FORTE. On the fair in Munich, we already presented three collections on our stand. After some seasons we got another golden opportunity. The AirStep men’s collection was so successful that we were also assigned the responsibility for the women’s collection.
Frank Prenntzell: Finally the time for our own showroom was coming. The location is rather unusual but that’s also what we are.
Michael Gerlach: In the meantime, we have gained some more great collections. By now, I take care of everything that comes about here while Frank spends most of his time in Italy. This is the ideal solution: we are close to both our producers and our customers. In accordance with our basic philosophy: We always want to think one step ahead and be up close at any time. And this will remain as it is.“