Do you remember doodling on your sneakers as a kid?
Bucketfeet is the chance meeting of two strangers traveling through Argentina. (Ironically, that is where Blake Mykoskie from Tom’s got his inspiration for his shoe business). Raaja Nemani was a backpacker just passing through, and Aaron Firestein was an artist helping bring the work of street artists to larger audiences.
The two quickly became friends and before parting ways, Aaron drew an original design on a pair of blank canvas sneakers for Raaja. As Raaja traveled across six continents, his new shoes sparked conversations with people from all over the world. Witnessing the power of art firsthand, Raaja asked Aaron to join him in building a brand committed to collaborating with artists.
Fast forward to today, BucketFeet is a brand that tells artist stories, one product at a time.
The Bucketfeet Network
BucketFeet takes an open platform approach where anyone can submit a design. Currently, they work with over 20,000 artists from 100 countries. Their network includes artists in every medium: painters, graphic designers, graffiti writers, street artists, photographers, and the list goes on. Everyone is welcome to join them in their mission to connect people through art
They have an ongoing, open call for artwork. Anyone can register and submit artwork here.
An in-house committee selects the pieces that are included in each BucketFeet collection.
BucketFeet produces and then distribute the products throughout the world. Artists receive an upfront payment and a royalty fee for every item sold.
The genius in these sneakers is that each pair tells an artist’s story.
Lessons Sneaking Up On You from Bucketfeet
- Could you harness artistic talents for your business in an innovative way?
- Could you bring an artistic design and flair that screams of originality?
- Can you get artists to share your stories with their clients and friends and build into your product, shareable marketing?
- Can you use artists to create labels for packages so that each product tells a story?
- By not being in the industry, the Bucketfeet boys are breaking all the rules. Can you disrupt your industry through sheer, elegant ignorance?
Now, go draw on your sneakers and disrupt an industry where you are an outsider.
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Photos from Bucketfeet.com website. All rights reserved from the artist and creator Marcelo Ment
Need some inspiration for an innovative approach to market your product? Sneak on over to this page and set up time unknot some challenges.
