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The Shoe Game Hustle: How One Entrepreneur Turned Kicks into a Lucrative Business During a Pandemic
Many people search for their calling, a path that feels right after navigating various jobs and setbacks. For one entrepreneur, that path wasn’t found in traditional employment but in the vibrant, ever-evolving world of sneakers.
The Genesis of a Sneaker Empire
His journey began with a series of unsatisfying jobs, some ending in termination, others in resignation. But everything changed when he entered the ‘shoe game’. Initially, he didn’t set out to be a reseller. He simply worked at a shoe store. It was there that people started approaching him, asking to be ‘plugged in’ to get the latest drops and exclusive pairs. What started as a casual request soon grew into a consistent demand, signaling a nascent opportunity.
A Personal Turning Point and a Friend’s Simple Advice
The business began to gain traction, but a significant personal event in 2017 accelerated his commitment. His girlfriend became pregnant, shifting his perspective and emphasizing the need for stability and a solid future. He found himself at a crossroads, with one foot in responsible decisions and the other in less certain territory. He knew something positive was on the horizon and he didn’t want to jeopardize it.
In this moment of contemplation, a close friend offered surprisingly simple yet profound advice: “Just sell more shoes, bro!” While it sounded almost comically straightforward, it was the push he needed. He realized his passion could indeed become a viable source of income.
The COVID-19 Boom: An Unexpected Opportunity
The real turning point for his brand, however, arrived in 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world went into lockdown and physical stores shuttered their doors, panic spread. People worried about the economy, job security, and even survival. But amidst the chaos, this entrepreneur saw an opportunity.
While others paused, he continued to enter raffles and secure drops. With brick-and-mortar stores closed, customers had nowhere else to go. They started coming directly to him. He leveraged his extensive network of ‘plugs’ across the country and his knowledge of different ways to acquire shoes, enabling him to fulfill personal orders and get people the sneakers they couldn’t find elsewhere.
Building a Brand and Leveraging Local Advantages
His business quickly outgrew his personal social media presence. He maxed out his 5,000 Facebook friends and started gaining a significant following on Snapchat and Instagram. A key advantage was the market landscape in his area – the Illinois side of St. Louis. Unlike the St. Louis side, which boasted several resale stores like Sanction, Reset, and Shoekave, his side had significantly less competition, perhaps only a handful of resale options. This allowed him to fill a considerable void.
Coming from a large, well-known family also played a part, as his existing connections helped spread the word. He attributes his success to hard work, sacrifice, and giving glory to a higher power, recognizing that his passion transformed into something much bigger than he initially imagined.
Balancing the Hustle
Today, he continues to balance his entrepreneurial endeavors with a traditional 9-to-5 job. For him, the shoe game isn’t just work; it’s a passion, a ‘6 to 11’ hustle that complements his daily grind, providing both financial success and personal fulfillment.
Disclaimer: The info in this article may or may not be true. This was taken from a conversation from The Grind It Up Podcast and should not be used as your reliable news source but rather entertainment.
This info can be found in this episode of The Grind It Up Podcast
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