Tariq Edmondson, owner of Sneakerscustom.com and his African custom sneakers
In the United States — the world’s largest sneaker market — Adidas, Nike and Under Armour’s combined footwear sales climbed in 2013 to more than $25 billion, a 47 percent jump since 2009, The Washington Post reports. A January report by JPMorgan Chase analysts states, “Not a single top-line lead indicator [points] to a slowing in the athletic cycle today.”
Atlanta-based entrepreneur Tariq Edmondson has already planned to make huge steps with his custom-designed sneakers.
“My inspiration came about a year and a half ago. I saw all of the other big sneaker companies and thought that a sneaker product featuring the red, black and green [of Africa] would make an impact,” Edmondson explains to Blacknews.com.
Edmondson’s company, Sneakerscustom.com, offers an innovative way to generate income for schools, organizations or individuals making their own sneaker brand. It designs, manufactures and distributes custom sneakers and athletic footwear for men and women.
According to Inland Valley News, Edmondson released his first sneakers in June 2015. His first pair was a black canvas sneaker trimmed in red and green trim with the continent of Africa on the side.
Sneakerscustom.com has a unique distribution pipeline, selling directly to wholesalers and consumers via the website. The company’s wholesale program features a low-cost system for other entrepreneurs to get involved in a fast-growing business. The wholesale program offers 50 custom sneakers for $1,000 USD. Each sneaker retails for $40, which allows the wholesaler to make a profit of $20 per pair.
“This is the new way to reach niche consumers. I’ve been collecting sneakers for over 20 years and like the red, black and green sneakers with the Africa logo on the side … I plan to join the team and become a wholesaler,” Brian Lassiter, an entrepreneur and sneaker collector, tells Inland Valley News.
The website has received requests from all of the United States as well as Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, France and Jamaica.
Practicing the principles of Ujima, which means “cooperative economics,” Sneakerscustom.com will empower anyone who wants to become an entrepreneur.
“We’re helping to empower organizations in the community with our sneakers, which in turn generates income and pride back to the community,” Edmondson said to Blacknews.com.
