Tell us about yourself
I’m Ting, the founder and CEO of Sunnystep, a science-led footwear company that brings joy to people on the move. Our goal is to combine science, sustainability, and style to create shoes that minimizes stress on your body and support your every move, from heel to toe. Beyond the office walls, I’m also a wife, a daughter, and a mother of three, balancing my family life with my passion for helping others move freely and happily.
Walk us through how Sunnystep came about
Sunnystep was born from a deeply personal need. Five years ago, I suffered a traumatic spine injury shortly after giving birth. For two long years, I lived with excruciating back pain, where even the smallest movement, like sitting down, became unbearable. I tried countless pairs of shoes that promised comfort and support, but none worked for me. Frustrated by this, I realized that there was a real gap in the market for shoes that could offer true, long-term support and comfort—without sacrificing style.
Driven by my own experience, I founded Sunnystep with a simple goal: to create shoes that not only feel good but also look good. I believe that everyone deserves access to footwear that supports their health and mobility, and Sunnystep is my answer to that need.
What sets Sunnystep shoes apart from others, Ting?
Sunnystep shoes are engineered with a singular goal—to minimize stress on the feet and body. Our signature insole technology provides long-lasting support, and unlike most insoles, ours do not lose their structure over time. One unique feature that our customers rave about is the acupressure massage points, which help relieve muscle tension throughout the day.
Every detail in our shoes is thoughtfully designed for comfort, from the wider toe box that allows for natural movement to the seamless stitching that ensures our shoes are blister-free. In response to customer feedback, we have also made our shoes water-resistant, slip-resistant, and easy to clean, with no maintenance required.
We are always pushing boundaries in material science as well. For instance, our shoe uppers are made from fully recycled, GRS-certified materials, and we have carefully developed our outsole formula to strike the perfect balance between lightweight and durability. At Sunnystep, we are committed to constant innovation because we believe that perfection is an ongoing pursuit.
You get into the apparel-podiatry industry based on a personal need. What is the process like, reinventing yourself based on a need.
The journey has been incredibly challenging but equally rewarding. Because of my injury, I set an exceptionally high standard for comfort — and that standard became the foundation of Sunnystep. We believe the right pair of shoes can have a significant impact on long-term mobility, health, and well-being.
Drawing on my experience as a data scientist, I applied design-thinking principles to continuously refine and improve our shoes. We are always experimenting, innovating, and learning from each production run. Our commitment to sustainability is woven into this process. For example, one of our bestselling collections uses shoe uppers made from recycled coffee grounds—a testament to how innovation and eco-consciousness can go hand in hand.
Every detail matters in shoemaking, and even the smallest misstep in production can lead to discomfort. We have tested numerous materials for back heel cushioning to make our shoes completely blister-free, and we dive deep into stitching methods to ensure that every part of the shoe feels seamless. Sunnystep thrives because we listen to our customers—they have inspired some of our most popular designs, including the Sakura pink Balance Runner, co-designed with one of our early customers.
At Sunnystep, customer feedback is at the heart of everything we do, inspiring some of our most beloved designs. When customers asked for more heel support, we created the Balance Space Runner with enhanced stability to meet their needs. Our collaborative approach has also led to creative breakthroughs, like the Sakura pink Balance Runner, co-designed with an early customer who shared her vision for the perfect shade of pink. This collaborative approach has been key to our success, as we continue to design with both innovation and our customers’ needs at heart.
The amalgamation of coffee in Sunnystep shoes is fascinating. Tell us about that.
Yes, we’re thrilled about this innovation! We’ve partnered with a material science lab that turns wasted coffee grounds to shoe uppers. These grounds are dried, moisture-removed, and mixed with recycled polyurethane to create a durable, eco-friendly material. Coffee grounds have natural odor-absorbing properties, which help keep the shoes fresher for longer. They also contribute to better thermal regulation, adding an extra layer of comfort.
We take sustainability seriously, and that’s why we only work with factories that use water-soluble production practices, ensuring no harmful wastewater or chemicals are produced. This process increases our production costs, but we firmly believe it is worth it for the long-term benefit to the planet.
What are the challenges combining style, comfort, and wellbeing?
It’s incredibly challenging, but that is what makes it exciting. Creating shoes that deliver both health benefits and an aesthetic look requires balancing science, sustainability, and style. We want every step in Sunnystep shoes to feel effortless while promoting long-term well-being. It’s not just about making shoes look good—it’s about ensuring that they actively support and protect your body for years to come.
Ting Mao, let’s talk about your Sunnystep walkathon initiative.
Our monthly walkathons started as a way to give back to the community, encouraging people to stay active and experience the physical and mental health benefits of walking. At our largest event, we had over 600 participants walking together, and the energy was incredible. It’s a reminder that walking is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to improve overall well-being.
Our mission at Sunnystep is to empower people to move freely and happily, and our walkathons bring that mission to life by bringing people together. We have built a strong community, with many volunteers helping to organize the event, and it’s always such a rewarding experience.
You’ve spread your Sunnystep-wings recently to Malaysia. Congratulations. How was the experience, going regional?
Thank you! Expanding into Malaysia has been both exciting and deeply fulfilling. We had a significant number of Malaysian customers ordering from Singapore, so it felt like a natural step to bring Sunnystep closer to them. Malaysia’s diverse population also presents exciting opportunities to cater to different tastes and styles, and we are launching Malaysia-exclusive designs to reflect that.
The market in Malaysia is very open to innovative designs and sustainability practices, and we have built a passionate team there. We are excited about opening more stores and continuing to grow the Sunnystep community across Malaysia.
What’s next for Sunnystep?
Product innovation is always at the heart of what we do. We’re constantly researching new ways to minimize stress on the feet and body through design and materials. Earlier this year, we completed a project with researchers at MIT called “How to Quantify Comfort,” where we studied how wearing Sunnystep shoes can improve balance and reduce stress on the body. The insights we gained will guide our future designs.
In our quest for sustainable materials, we are experimenting with pineapple and bamboo fibers for new shoe uppers. We believe that pushing the boundaries of material science is key to creating shoes that are not only more comfortable but also kinder to the planet. So stay tuned—there’s a lot more to come!
Best book you’ve read this year
Scaling People by Claire Hughes Johnson
The music that changed everything for you
Wicked. It is my favourite Broadway show.
What you do when you need to feel inspired
I travel. Meeting new people always inspires me, and now I’ve developed a habit of staring at people’s shoes while traveling!
Things you’ll always have in your fridge
Soymilk.
A typical day for Ting Mao
I kick off my day with 30 minutes of functional exercise to break a sweat. Breakfast with my three kids is always chaotic but full of laughter. When I’m not traveling, my day is packed with dynamic work planning and brainstorming meetings, where I draw inspiration from my amazing colleagues and align our efforts with the team’s goals. I cherish dinner time with friends and family, and my husband and I share the joy of putting our kids to bed, making sure to enjoy every moment before they drift off.
What have you come to appreciate in the last 5 years
I’ve come to deeply value health as the cornerstone of a fulfilling life. Many people don’t realize how crucial movement and the right support are to long-term well-being. The sedentary lifestyle that’s become so common is a hidden epidemic. I wish I’d understood earlier the importance of staying active and wearing supportive shoes. My hope is that more people will recognize and embrace the vital role of proper footwear in maintaining health and mobility.
Best gift you’ve received
A foot massage machine my husband surprised me with at Christmas a few years ago.
Best gift you’ve given
For our wedding gift, we gave our guests the book Adventure Capitalist by Jim Rogers. It’s an inspiring read about embracing adventure and taking risks.
One gadget you can’t do without
AirPods. I listen to podcasts all the time with my AirPods on, and I also use their noise cancellation feature when I need some quiet time.
Country you can’t wait to go back to
Italy—it has a long tradition of shoemaking that dates back centuries. The country’s rich shoemaking heritage and innovative design continue to inspire me, and I would love to delve deeper into their influential approach to style and craftsmanship.
Favorite podcast(s)
How I Built This with Guy Raz
Something you’ve recently discovered
Finding the right people and building the right team can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of company building.
Your morning routine
30 mins functional exercise, it’s important for me to do low impact and sometimes high intensity exercise that are suitable for my body condition as I had a bad spine injury in the past, so it’s very important to choose the right and safe exercise.
Philosophy in life
Stay grateful, stay humble, and stay positive—things will turn out alright.
Your style icon
Sara Blakely. Her ability to build Spanx while raising four kids is nothing short of remarkable. She’s an incredible role model for mom entrepreneurs everywhere.
Best things about Singapore
The playgrounds! Singapore’s extensive range of playgrounds makes it a fantastic place for families with kids.
Favorite movie
Dream Scenario. It’s been my recent favorite, offering a fresh and engaging perspective.
What’s in your glass and plate for cocktail hour
Grapefruit juice and popcorn—simple, refreshing, and satisfying!
An indulgence you’ll never forgo
Moist chocolate cake. It’s a decadent treat I always look forward to.
Work of an artist you collect
My daughter’s drawings.
Where Fab! Luxe readers can get to know more about your work
