Editor’s Note: Sophia Lebowitz, a recent Byram Hills grad, dropped me a note with some pics to show me her “customized sneaker biz.” I was immediately taken by her entrepreneurship as well as her fun, playful designs. I simply wanted to share it. A few words from Sophia when I asked her to describe how this all got started! Want a pair of “Designed by Soph” sneaks? Drop her a note at sophlebowitz@gmail.com
Writes Sophia:
My business started simply as a hobby. I have always been a doodler. In class I would draw all over my books and my teachers would yell at me for not paying attention, but I couldn’t stop drawing. I love drawing my own patterns and when I heard that you could draw on a pair of canvas sneakers I knew I needed to make myself a pair. When I made my first pair and wore them out I got so many complements and so many people asking me if I could make them a pair. Then I looked it up online and people were selling them for insane amounts of money!
At first I made them for my friends and family for free so that I had examples to put on my new Instagram page, Designed by Soph. I decided to make my prices affordable so that everyone can enjoy a cute and fun customized sneaker, I love doing it and I love sharing my drawings with other people. Now my business is growing fast and I want to take it to the next level and get more customers. I am also working on new products that I can add my art too!
