The Mercer Brand

The Mercer Brand is an Amsterdam-based sneaker and apparel label founded by Pim Dresen. The name is inspired by Mercer Street in New York, where Pim bought his first pair of sneakers at the age of ten. Today, the brand is known for its luxury, handmade shoes and sustainable collections for men and women, developed entirely in-house—from the sole to the laces. It’s no surprise that The Mercer Brand has collaborated with names like NASA, UCLA, Loro Piana, and The Beverly Hills Hotel. "We want to prove that sustainability and contemporary design aren’t mutually exclusive."

But as the brand grew, Pim realized that more was needed than just good shoes. The Mercer Brand is a fast-growing organization where, in parallel with the brand’s growth, HR challenges have also become increasingly important. As the team expanded, these HR challenges grew in complexity.

Growth requires more than a good product

"We needed a professional HR partner who could grow with us and take things out of our hands," says Pim.

Employment law questions, absence management, and support for international employees were coming up more and more often. It became clear that HR was no longer something that could be handled on the side.

"We wanted to put our energy into growing The Mercer Brand, not into wondering whether our HR matters were properly arranged. For that, we needed specialist knowledge we didn't have in-house."

The solution wasn't to expand the internal team, but to find a partner who could respond quickly, think along with us, and offer broad HR expertise.

HR without a large in-house team

Since partnering with So Toff, The Mercer Brand has had direct access to HR specialists. No more lengthy searches for answers or delays due to a lack of knowledge—just the ability to act quickly when needed.

“The biggest advantage is that we have direct access to the right expertise without having to build an extensive HR team ourselves. So Toff really feels like an extension of our organization. They’re accessible, respond quickly, and understand our world.”

According to Pim, it’s precisely that accessibility that makes the difference. “When something comes up, we can take action almost immediately. That gives us rest and confidence.”

"So Toff combines specialist knowledge with a pragmatic approach. They are accessible, respond quickly, and truly feel like an extension of our organization”  Pim Dresen, Owner

More structure, better prepared for growth

In addition to day-to-day support, So Toff also helps The Mercer Brand organize its HR processes more professionally. Where things used to be based on gut feeling, there’s now structure. Policies are set up, processes are standardized, and everyone knows where they stand.

“We work in a more structured way and are better prepared for further growth. So Toff not only helps us address today’s challenges but also looks ahead to what we’ll need tomorrow.”

The added value was perhaps most evident when dealing with complex HR issues. So Toff provided guidance from consultation through implementation. Legally sound, yet with an eye for the human side. “That combination ensured that situations were resolved carefully and professionally.”

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