7 Sneaker Business Success Stories [2024]
Experts estimate the current sneaker market at $2 billion and expect it will blow up to $30 billion in the next few years. Compared to other online businesses, the sneaker resale market has grown exponentially and become very profitable.
While the sneaker business is very profitable, competition is still very high, and it might take time for new sellers to establish a client base. If you are starting a sneaker business, you must immerse yourself in the sneakerhead culture, especially the sneaker collection.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a sneaker business:
1. B Street Shoes ($720K/year)
Blake Barash, the founder of B Street Shoes, was inspired by street and sneaker culture in the San Francisco Bay Area. His passion for street art and custom designs led him to start painting shoes for fun and eventually launch his own business. From painting shoes in his bedroom to now running a 1,500 sq ft Studio Warehouse and employing 6 people, Blake's business has grown significantly.
How much they make: $720K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 8
Meet Blake Barash, a custom shoe painter who grew his business from his bedroom to now making $50k per month and employing six people.
2. zapato FEROZ ($6M/year)
In this case study, Lau García, a shoemaker by trade, came up with the idea for Zapato FEROZ when she couldn't find suitable footwear for her baby. She wanted to create comfortable, natural shoes that would promote healthy foot development. With the brand's focus on quality and customer satisfaction, Zapato FEROZ has experienced incredible growth, increasing their monthly revenue from $900-1000 to $60k in just two years.
How much they make: $6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 6
Zapato FEROZ is a thriving children's footwear company whose sales have grown exponentially to reach $60,000 per month in the last 12 months, with 80% of sales made directly through their website, due to their dedication to producing the highest quality, healthy shoes for babies and children.
So... can you actually make money with a sneaker 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:
3. Atlantis Shoes ($300K/year)
Tom Guo, founder of Atlantis Shoes, came up with the idea after working in the shoe manufacturing industry for over 10 years. Focusing on quality over quantity and aiming to reduce global waste, Guo wanted to create ethically-made footwear that would last a lifetime. With monthly revenue at $25,000 and 500 pairs sold each month, Atlantis Shoes embodies the philosophy of slow living and slow fashion.
How much they make: $300K/year
Current team size: 2
Atlantis Shoes founder, Tom Guo, built a successful business selling vegan sneakers, with a monthly revenue of $25,000 and plans for a sustainable, mindful concept store in the future.
4. Dropout SRL ($1.68M/year)
Kola Tytler, the founder of dropout, came up with the idea for his business after learning about the underground sneaker resale market and self-teaching himself to code a sneaker bot. He later teamed up with others to create software that collected data and ran statistical analysis, which led to the creation of HypeAnalyzer. Frustrated with university, Kola decided to bring the ultimate sneaker shopping experience to Italy, leading to the birth of dropout.
How much they make: $1.68M/year
How much did it cost to start: $120K
Current team size: 8
Founder Kola Tytler managed to build a profitable business, Dropout, worth over $2.5 million by selling limited edition sneakers and streetwear, despite having no prior experience and juggling medical school; the company saw over 50,000 in-store visitors and over $100k in sales in December 2021 alone and raised €750k via equity crowdfunding in 6 days.
So... can you actually make money with a sneaker 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:
- 4,818 founder case studies
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
