Beginnings

We (Dave Blackwell and Mike Glauser) are starting a company that sells alpargata shoes. Our company's official name is Lucha, LLC. We got incorporated last week, got our tax id number, and we have our first prototype. We are working with Owen Fuller at Fit Marketing to get our logo and web site designed right now. We originally hired someone in India for $8/hour to design our logo, but the initial logos he sent us didn't have the feel we're looking for--so we decided to go with Owen. As soon as we have a logo, we'll be able to move on with our design as well as get our next sample shoes. For our first shipment, we'll be ordering 1000 pairs, which will hopefully arrive in the fall. The women's colors will be ash, maroon, and cream. The men's will be white, navy, and charcoal.

If you aren't familiar with alpargata shoes, they are similar to Toms Shoes. Ours will be a better shoe at a better price. There are a few main differences between our shoes and Toms. Ours have a thicker canvas and will therefore last longer. Ours also have a better gripping sole, as well as some small embroideredholes to help your feet breathe easier. These are relaxing, chill, everyday, wear to the beach or park type of shoes. Good for any occasion. They are simple and easy. No socks required (but some girls like to wear the "barely there" socks that basically just wrap around your toes and heels).

Dave and I are both very very excited about this company. Dave is the design and manufacturing expert. He currently works at backcountry.com designing clothing. I'll be in charge of sales, marketing, and general business operations. Part of the reason I'm so excited about this is that everyone I tell about our company wants to buy a pair of Luchas. We ultimately want to start with this simple alpargata, then get into other types of casual shoes, then maybe to apparel and other accessories.

This is the first company that Dave and I have started, and we both want to work hard to get a good product at a good price. We are learning more and more about this everyday as we talk to different people who have experience in starting companies, importing goods, etc. A man I met with last week said, "If importing from China (where our shoes will be made) was easy, everyone would do it." One thing that has really stood out to me is that everyone wants to help out. I talk to everyone about this, and it seems that people just come out of the woodwork with advice, or recommendations of people to talk to about being successful with a start up. Keep posted for updates on designs, our Lucha Launch, and our general progress!

--Mike