During his senior year of high school in 2010, Shae Russell wanted one thing — a pair of Velcro shoes that didn’t come off a Wal-Mart rack.
As he put pencil to paper, he created four designs which today are part of the VELKS shoe collection.
Russell saw a gap in the men’s shoe industry — no one was designing modern Velcro shoes with the younger generation in mind.
“We are building a Velcro shoe brand for our generation, he said. “We want to change the perception. Through enhanced design, we can provide variety to a man’s wardrobe in a day where everyone dresses the same.”
Velks makes Velcro shoes for men.
To achieve this, Russell designed shoes that can be worn in the boardroom, in the gym or out on the town.
“There’s so much to be done,” said Russell. “Taking the freshest designs in the market today, we can add two straps and give our customers the convenience, comfort and look they are searching for. This is our niche market.”
VELKS has launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign with a goal of $20,000 — the funds being used towards the first projection round. Shipping will begin in July 2016.
VELKS has also received help from the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute at the U, receiving a $2,500 grant from the Get Seeded program managed by the U’s Entrepreneur Club.
Decorative sole!
Bringing Velcro back is a passion that VELKS will continue to pursue — one strap at a time.
Russell is a student at Weber State University. Many Lassonde Institute programs, like Get Seeded, are open to students across the state. Other statewide programs include the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge, Opportunity Quest and the High School Utah Entrepreneur Challenge. Get Seeded and all of the programs listed are sponsored by Zions Bank.
Learn more at www.velks.com.
Strap on a pair of these from Velks.
That’s a nice product