8 Athletic Footwear Business Success Stories [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: November 19th, 2023

Start An Athletic Footwear Business

Data shows that the global athletic footwear market will grow at a compound annual rate of 4.9% in the next few years.

Awareness and growing enthusiasm regarding the health benefits of sports and fitness activities fuel the market growth. Thus, more people are shopping for athletic footwear on the streets and online. Setting up an athletic footwear business online or at a strip mall can be a successful venture.

Here are some real life success stories of starting a athletic footwear business:

1. the DIFFERENCE ($150K/year)

Oliver Songolo, co-founder and CEO of DIFFERENCE, was inspired to create the first heelless running shoe brand after his father's research on the damaging effects of heel strikes. After years of planning and overcoming obstacles, including finding a manufacturer in China and obtaining a patent, DIFFERENCE launched in 2017. Despite initial marketing challenges, the company has found success through trade shows, speaking engagements, and an effective social media strategy, with average monthly revenue now reaching $12,500.

How much they make: $150K/year
How much did it cost to start: $200K
Current team size: 6

How I Created A $12.5K/Month Patented Heelless Running Shoe

The DIFFERENCE co-founder developed a patented heelless running shoe that eliminates heelstrikes, grossing an average of $12,500 per month within the last two months, primarily targeting runners and the medical community.

About

Olguy started the DIFFERENCE almost 8 years ago

Revenue

Olguy grew the business to $12.5K/month

Costs

It cost Olguy $200000 to start the business

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2. Celer ($30K/year)

Sarah Anderson, the founder of Celer Ergonomics, came up with the idea for her athletic training brand after experiencing overuse injuries throughout her running career. With a background in engineering and kinesiology, as well as a passion for biomechanics, Sarah developed the RunCeler strap, a functional resistance band worn while running to promote improved running form and decrease the risk of injury. With four published patents and 20% month-over-month growth, Celer is focused on expanding its presence in the fitness community, particularly among runners.

How much they make: $30K/year
How much did it cost to start: $14.5K
Current team size: 1

How This Biomedical Engineer Invented A Device To Run Better

Celer Ergonomics, a small 2-person start-up out of NYC, has developed the RunCeler strap, a functional resistance band worn over the sock and shoe while running to promote improved running form, reducing the risk of injury and improving performance, with 4 published patents and growing 20% month over month.

About

Sarah started Celer about 4 years ago

Revenue

Sarah grew the business to $2.5K/month

Costs

It cost Sarah $14500 to start the business

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Read by 3,249 founders

So... can you actually make money with a athletic footwear business?

Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.

But how?

Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
Take action, because now you have the roadmap.

Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:

Start Now

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Starting An Athletic Footwear Business: Everything You Need To Know

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5. SPORTS SHOES

Looking for new Footwear, Clothing & Equipment for your next Run, Hike or Gym session? Discover our large range from adidas, Asics, Saucony & more now!

Where they're located: Wichita, Kansas, USA
Website traffic: 2.69M/month

So... can you actually make money with a athletic footwear business?

Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.

But how?

Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
Take action, because now you have the roadmap.

Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:

Start Now

7. Boombah

Where they're located: Ροβολιάρι, Thessaly and Central Greece, Greece
Website traffic: 190K/month

8. APEX

Apexfoot.com offers a complete line of orthopedic comfort shoes. Apex diabetic shoes are designed to help relieve foot pain and heel pain from plantar fasciitis, bunions, arthritis and more.

Where they're located: Языльский сельский Совет, Minsk Region, Belarus
Website traffic: 210K/month