Kris Avakian is an accomplished entrepreneur, founder, and business executive with more than 27 years of professional experience spanning fashion, footwear, manufacturing, global sourcing, product development, sales, marketing, brand development, and business strategy. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for combining entrepreneurial vision with practical industry expertise, transforming ideas into commercially viable products, brands, and partnerships. His professional philosophy centers on making meaningful contributions to his industry while using experience, relationships, and strategic insight to help organizations identify opportunities, navigate challenges, and build sustainable paths for growth.
Kris’s career has been shaped by an extensive understanding of the complete product and commercial lifecycle. His experience encompasses manufacturing and sourcing as well as product development, international sales, marketing, negotiation, and business development. He has developed particular expertise across footwear, handbags, costume jewelry, fashion, and retail, giving him the ability to view a business from multiple perspectives rather than through a single functional lens. This breadth allows him to connect creative product concepts with operational realities and commercial objectives, an increasingly important capability for companies competing in fast-moving consumer markets.
As Founder and CEO of Black Suede Studio, Kris has played a central role in developing a business designed around quality, versatility, and a clear understanding of the modern consumer. The Black Suede Studio Group initially launched in 2017 as a private-label division providing full-service solutions to major brands throughout North America. Recognizing an opportunity in the market for high-quality footwear positioned at an accessible mid-range price point, the organization subsequently launched the Black Suede Studio brand in 2018. This progression from private-label capabilities to the development of a distinct consumer-facing brand reflects Kris’s ability to identify market opportunities and translate them into actionable business strategies.
Under Kris’s leadership, Black Suede Studio has focused on creating footwear for contemporary women whose lifestyles require products capable of moving comfortably between professional, social, and everyday environments. The brand’s emphasis on wearable silhouettes, trend-conscious design, versatility, and quality illustrates his understanding of how consumer expectations influence product strategy. His leadership experience in this environment has required him to balance product development, brand positioning, sourcing, sales, partnerships, and operational execution while maintaining a consistent understanding of the customer the organization serves.
Kris has expanded his entrepreneurial activities through BSS Creative Groupe Inc., where he serves as Founder and CEO with a focus on global licensing and brand partnerships. This work further demonstrates his ability to operate at the intersection of business strategy, brand development, international sales, and relationship building. Licensing and strategic partnerships require more than recognizing a compelling brand; they demand an understanding of market positioning, commercial alignment, negotiation, distribution, product potential, and long-term value creation. Kris brings these disciplines together through a practical approach developed over decades of operating experience.
A defining dimension of Kris’s professional background is his international exposure. His business experience extends across North America, Japan, Europe, Russia, and the Middle East, providing him with a broad perspective on how markets, consumers, business practices, and commercial relationships can differ across regions. His global sourcing experience further complements this perspective, enabling him to understand the interconnected nature of product development, manufacturing, supply relationships, and market demand. In addition to English, Kris has proficiency in French, Armenian, and Mandarin Chinese, adding another dimension to a career characterized by cross-cultural business engagement.
Beyond his entrepreneurial accomplishments, Kris brings a diverse portfolio of leadership capabilities that can translate effectively into advisory and board environments. His expertise includes strategic planning, business strategy, management, sales and sales management, negotiation, trend analysis, manufacturing, global sourcing, product marketing, brand development, and customer-focused commercial strategy. Because his experience spans both strategic decision-making and hands-on execution, he understands that successful growth requires more than a strong vision. It also requires disciplined implementation, market awareness, effective partnerships, and the willingness to adjust direction when circumstances demand it.
Kris earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Concordia University, providing an academic foundation that has been reinforced by nearly three decades of practical business leadership. Over the course of his career, he has also contributed his perspectives through several written articles, reflecting an interest in sharing the knowledge and observations developed through his professional experience. His combination of formal business education and extensive entrepreneurial experience gives him a grounded approach to leadership—one informed by both established business principles and the realities of building and operating companies.
At this stage of his career, Kris is particularly interested in extending his experience into board and advisory service. Having accumulated substantial knowledge across product-driven businesses, global commerce, sourcing, branding, sales, and entrepreneurship, he is motivated by the opportunity to provide meaningful guidance to organizations seeking growth and stronger strategic direction. He views board service as an opportunity to contribute both time and knowledge, help leadership teams evaluate opportunities with greater perspective, and support companies as they make decisions that can shape their long-term trajectory. His primary areas of interest include fashion, marketing, and product-oriented industries, although he remains open to contributing across a broad range of sectors where his experience can create value.
Kris approaches leadership with the perspective of a builder. His experience as a founder has taught him to look beyond individual business functions and consider how product, people, positioning, partnerships, operations, and customer expectations work together. He understands the importance of developing an ambitious vision while remaining attentive to execution, commercial realities, and changing market conditions. For emerging and established companies alike, this ability to connect strategy with implementation can provide valuable perspective at both the executive and board level.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Kris maintains interests in travel, fitness, and self-improvement. These interests reflect the curiosity, discipline, and commitment to continuous development that have also influenced his professional journey. Travel reinforces the international perspective that has been central to his career, while fitness and self-improvement reflect an ongoing emphasis on personal growth and performance. Together, these interests complement a professional identity built around learning, adaptability, and forward momentum.
Looking ahead, Kris Avakian is focused on applying more than 27 years of experience to organizations where thoughtful leadership and practical business knowledge can make a measurable difference. He brings the perspective of an entrepreneur who understands how products are conceived, sourced, manufactured, positioned, marketed, sold, and developed into brands, as well as how partnerships can extend their reach. Whether advising leadership on growth, evaluating market opportunities, strengthening brand strategy, or contributing to board-level discussions, Kris seeks to help organizations move in the right direction while creating lasting value and positive impact.
Character:
Kris exemplifies an entrepreneurial character grounded in determination, continuous improvement, and a genuine desire to create meaningful value for the organizations and industries he serves. His commitment to contributing his experience to help companies grow reflects a leadership philosophy centered on positive impact, responsibility, and long-term progress.
Knowledge:
With more than 27 years of professional experience, Kris possesses extensive knowledge across manufacturing, global sourcing, product development, footwear, fashion, sales, marketing, brand development, licensing, and business development. His combination of operational experience and international market exposure enables him to evaluate business opportunities from multiple perspectives and understand the interconnected decisions required to move products and brands successfully from concept to market.
Strategic:
Kris brings an entrepreneurial and commercially focused approach to strategic thinking, informed by years of building businesses, developing brands, establishing partnerships, and identifying opportunities within evolving markets. He is able to connect long-term objectives with practical execution, helping organizations consider how product, positioning, sourcing, partnerships, and market demand can work together to support sustainable growth.
Communication:
A career in entrepreneurship, sales, negotiation, business development, licensing, and global partnerships has required him to communicate effectively with stakeholders across functions, organizations, and international markets. His multilingual abilities and cross-cultural business exposure further strengthen his capacity to build relationships, communicate ideas clearly, and contribute constructively to executive and board-level conversations.
