Companies That Get It: Forsake Shoes

     You have to love these guys. Two incredibly motivated young adults who are quite literately wandering off the beaten path as they search to jumpstart their own footwear company. While many of their peers and classmates are learning the ins and outs of the corporate world, Sam and Jake have boldly turned their passions into a very unique, if not potentially successful, business proposal.

     The Kickstarter program is a great way for startup companies to gain a foothold in whichever market they are targeting. By allowing donations of any amount, contributors are met with unique rewards (dinner, a pair of sneakers, a thank you note, etc) set forth by the creators, allowing for a more personal bond and a sense that you're contribution actually means something. In today's world of social media and online sharing, campaigns like this can very easily go viral and quickly achieve the support/funding they desire to make their dreams a reality.

     Easy you say? Not at all. Relatively few companies can successfully pull off effective marketing campaigns due to a variety of reasons. That said, you would be hard pressed to say that the Forsake team isn't creative or entertaining with their promos. While I am admittedly a huge skydiving fan, I think anyone can see how their unique twist on an 'elevator pitch' clearly shows their creativity and commitment to achieving their success. To add to that, their videos don't lack substance, they aren't boring. They very accurately showcase exactly how the shoes should be utilized, who they will appeal to, and give a glimpse into the motivated personalities of their creators. Simply put, Forsake is a company that you want to find success. 

     This is Forsake's second attempt at using Kickstarter to launch their footwear line and with over $30,000 pledged in only the first day, it seems as though their ambitions will soon be fulfilled. To be honest, I don't find it that surprising. Their footwear perfectly fills a void in the market they are targeting. Hiking boots and other forms of outdoor footwear are notoriously ugly or 'un-cool'. Their products seem to be the best of both worlds; they resemble popular styles worn by the target demographic but maintain the necessary protection and functionality that their natural environment requires.

     Help these guys out by making their dream a reality. Head over to their Kickstarter page now to help donate or buy a pair! Every little bit counts!