Martin Michaeli left home, in France, at the age of 21 to move to the USA to pursue his career as a manager, fuelled with ambition and determination. He remained in the USA for six years before he returned to France to establish the Mephisto brand. From his sheer dedication to create a global brand, Michaeli managed to establish one that was recognised globally for its quality and styles, offering customers shoes that always maintained the highest of standards and comfort features.

Michaeli applied for his first patent of shoes in 1973, using unique manufacturing methods to create his exceptional shoes. By 1975, just two years later, Mephisto had become recognised worldwide as the trend for casual shoes and sport shoes grew. This concept of having casual shoes that would be suitable for both sporting activities as well as casual occasions, allowed Michaeli to establish the 'Originals' designs.

Michaeli was awarded the 'Oscar de l'Exportation' by the French State in 1985 as his continued success meant that 80% of the shoes produced were exported; thus this award marked his outstanding philosophy towards business exportation. Within this exportation market was the American footwear market, and due to the success Mephisto were receiving over there, a subsidiary of the company was set up in California in 1987, with one in Canada also being established in 1989. Thus, in 1994, with his continued excellence towards exportation, Michaeli received another 'Oscar de l'Exportation' followed by the 'National Order of Merit' in 1995 having opened the 150^th Mephisto shop.

By 1998, Mephisto had a fantastic range of 600 models of shoes, which included specialised shoes used suitable for orthopaedic retail in the Mobils range. However, even after all of the success of the Mephisto brand, Michaeli didn't lose his determination and endeavours to improve his brand as he continued to innovate the footwear market. In 2002 he introduced the Allrounder range of Mephisto shoes which offered an exceptional range of outdoor boots, loved by all ages. Just a year later, in 2003, Mephisto introduced a sportswear collection, ideal for sporty, hectic lifestyles. Furthermore, Mephisto introduced all of their shoes with the innovative technology of Soft-Air Technology, and with worldwide advertisements, this feature became a distinguishing characteristic within Mephisto boots and shoes.