Shoe Brand

How Much Does It Cost To Start A Shoe Brand? (In 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: July 21st, 2024

Looking to start a shoe brand?

But curious about:

how much it costs to start a shoe brand?
what are the typical shoe brand startup costs?
or the actual cost of starting shoe brands?

Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real shoe brands and how much they actually cost to start.

Let's go over it.

What is the average cost of starting a shoe brand?

Based on our data reported by actual shoe brand founders, the average cost of starting a shoe brand is between $1,000 and $1,000,000.

Additionally, our data shows that the the median startup costs for a shoe brand are around $47.5K.

Remember, though, not all shoe brands are the same - and neither are people's budgets. It's important to distinguish between different levels or types of shoe brands

Real World Examples: How much does it cost to start a shoe brand?

We asked real shoe brand founders and business owners how much it actually cost to get started?

Here is what they said:

Steven Sashen

Founder of Xero Shoes ($4M/month)

"At first we financed the business off of net sales and a few of my credit cards. The growth of the company, though, was faster than those sources could handle and, again with great luck, we’ve since partnered with a local venture debt fund, acquired and SBA loan (proving that Hell has frozen over), and raised over $1M in an equity crowdfunding round that closed in August 2017."

Steven Sashen is the co-founder of Xero Shoes, a minimalist footwear business that officially launched in 2009 and has since achieved significant growth, earning recognition in the INC. 5000 list and the Colorado Companies to Watch.

Read this case study

Read by 15,665 founders

Matthew Walters

Founder of CODDI ($2K/month)

"I was able to afford building prototypes (<10K)...but there was no way I was going to be able to afford the initial order (~40K)."

Matthew Walters is the founder of CODDI, a boot company that raised over $61K on Kickstarter and has been generating consistent sales since its launch in 2019.

Read this case study

Read by 9,298 founders

Kartik Gurmule

Founder of KASA ($80K/month)

"It cost me almost $5,000 per month of savings to test the products on Facebook."

Kartik Gurmule is the founder of KASA, an online luxury shoe and accessory boutique that was launched in November 2018 and markets its products to customers in the USA, the UK, Australia, and other parts of Europe.

Read this case study

Read by 20,884 founders

Brad Munro

Founder of Boomerangz Footwear ($40K/month)

"My two business partners and I got our parents to guarantee a loan from the bank that we split 3 ways. Thankfully we no longer have that loan as it is all paid back but it's worth noting that we wasted a lot of money in the early days."

Brad Munro is the founder of Boomerangz Interchangeable Thongs, a summer footwear business that is now stocked in over 40 independent surf and streetwear stores around Australia and also available in the USA, Canada, The Caribbean, India, and the U.K.

Read this case study

Read by 10,534 founders

Laura Garcia Perdomo

Founder of zapato FEROZ ($500K/month)

"Fortunately, we had money saved to start the project, with less than €10,000 everything was up and running. This economic freedom gave us a lot of peace of mind when it came to managing the start of the brand."

Lau García is the founder of Zapato FEROZ, a children's footwear business that started with less than €10,000 and now makes $60k per month.

Read this case study

Read by 9,444 founders

Blake Barash

Founder of B Street Shoes ($60K/month)

"Lucky for me, there was a low cost of entry into the custom painting business. Similar to tattooing, all you need to start is your paint and paintbrushes."

Blake Barash is the founder of B Street Shoes, a custom shoe painting business that started in Orange County, CA.

Read this case study

Read by 17,079 founders

Olguy Songolo

Founder of the DIFFERENCE ($12.5K/month)

"The prototype molds were extremely expensive, costing $7K in different attempts before we finally found the right model."

Olguy Songolo is the founder of DIFFERENCE, a heelless running shoe business.

Read this case study

Read by 8,220 founders

Tom Guo

Founder of Atlantis Shoes ($25K/month)

"It was a risky business move as I need to leave everything behind and focus on building a brand from scratch."

Tom Guo is the founder of Atlantis Shoes, an ethically-made footwear brand inspired by the slow fashion movement and Australian coastal lifestyle.

Read this case study

Read by 6,031 founders

Tanya Heath

Founder of TANYA HEATH Paris ($10K/month)

"The R&D was VERY expensive and the start-up capital came from our life savings, which were pretty good at that time because we had just sold our Paris apartment."

Tanya Heath is the founder of TANYA HEATH Paris, a business that created the world’s first multi-height shoe with removable heels.

Read this case study

Read by 7,290 founders

Drew McNamara

Founder of Creative Souls ($1K/month)

"In order for Creative Souls to get started, it cost about $45K."

Drew McNamara is the founder of Creative Souls, a shoe and apparel brand with designs from people with disabilities that started in 2019 and aims to make an impact on the lives of artists with disabilities.

Read this case study

Read by 6,518 founders

Enjoyed reading these real world examples?

Our platform is full of case studies of successful shoe brands that you can learn from.

Starting a shoe brand - what you should know:

Navigating the costs of starting a shoe brand can be complex, but understanding key factors can help you allocate your budget effectively.

Manufacturing Costs

Manufacturing costs are a significant part of your budget. Custom-designed shoes can range from $30 to $50 per pair in bulk, whereas basic, off-the-shelf designs might cost you $10 to $20 per pair. Opting for domestic manufacturing might be more expensive, ranging from $50 to $100 per pair, but it provides better quality control and faster turnaround times compared to overseas production.

Design and Development

Investing in design and development is crucial for creating a unique product. Hiring a professional designer can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000. Additionally, creating prototypes can range from $200 to $1,000 per shoe depending on the complexity of the design and the materials used. Be prepared for multiple iterations, as refining your product can add up over time.

Marketing and Branding

Initial marketing and branding expenses can be steep but are essential for establishing your shoe brand. A comprehensive branding package (including logo, website, and marketing materials) may cost between $3,000 and $10,000. For digital marketing strategies like social media campaigns, allocate at least $2,000 to $5,000 initially, with monthly budgets varying based on your target audience and campaign reach.

Distribution and Logistics

Managing distribution and logistics efficiently is key. Warehousing costs can range from $1 to $3 per square foot per month, and shipping costs for bulk orders could be around $0.50 to $1 per pair domestically. International shipping will be more expensive, ranging from $3 to $10 per pair, depending on the destination and shipping method.

Legal and Licensing Fees

Ensuring your brand is legally protected can save you costly legal battles down the line. Trademark registration can cost between $275 and $400 per class in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Additionally, acquiring necessary licenses and permits can add $500 to $1,500 to your startup costs.

By understanding these nuances and budgeting accordingly, you can create a successful foundation for your new shoe brand.

Potential Costs of Starting a Shoe Brand

Starting a shoe brand involves a variety of costs ranging from design and manufacturing to marketing and logistics. Below is a detailed table of potential costs to give you a comprehensive understanding of what to expect.

Category	Item	Estimated Cost	Description
Design & Development	Shoe Design Software	$50 - $200/month	For digital shoe design and prototyping.
	Prototyping	$500 - $5,000 per prototype	Depends on complexity and materials used.
	Material Samples	$200 - $1,000	To test different materials.
	Designer Fees	$50 - $150/hour	Cost for hiring professional shoe designers.
Manufacturing	Factory Setup	$10,000 - $50,000	Initial setup costs for machinery and tools.
	Production Runs	$15 - $50 per pair	Bulk production costs, typically reduced with higher volume.
	Quality Control	$1,000 - $5,000/annually	Inspection and testing of shoes before market release.
Logistics & Shipping	Shipping Costs	$2 - $10 per pair	Shipping to warehouses and customers.
	Warehousing	$1,000 - $5,000/month	Storage for inventory before sale.
	Import/Export Taxes	Varies per country	Taxes and duties for international shipping.
Marketing & Sales	Website Hosting	$20 - $50/month	Maintaining the brand’s online presence.
	E-commerce Platform Fees	$29 - $299/month	Platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce.
	Branding and Graphic Design	$500 - $5,000	Creating logos, packaging, and marketing materials.
	Social Media Advertising	$500 - $5,000/month	Paid ads on platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
	Influencer Marketing	$100 - $5,000 per post	Cost of sponsored posts by influencers.
Operational Costs	Office Space	$500 - $2,000/month	Rent for office space if needed.
	Salaries	$3,000 - $10,000/month	Paying employees for roles such as marketing, sales, and operations.
	Legal Fees	$1,000 - $5,000	Trademarks, patents, and other legal costs.
	Accounting & Bookkeeping	$200 - $1,000/month	Financial management and reporting.
Tools & Equipment	Sewing Machines	$500 - $2,500 per unit	For in-house production or modifications.
	Cutting Equipment	$1,000 - $5,000	Equipment for material cutting.
	Design Tablets	$200 - $1,000 each	For digital design work.
	Computer and Software	$1,000 - $3,000	Required for design, development, and management tasks.

This table lists estimated costs and is subject to variation depending on factors such as location, production scale, and specific business strategies.

Part of

Starting A Shoe Brand: Everything You Need To Know

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