Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Sala.
Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Long story short…
The Solepack Journey took roots back in the late 90s/early 2000s. As an avid basketball player commuting to NYU from the suburb of Staten Island, I constantly ran out of room inside my backpack for my sneakers as books became a priority. While on a bus/ferry trip to the city, I had one of those AHA moments where I thought, “There’s gotta be a better way that lets me pack my ball kicks directly onto my bag!”. I pounded the pavements of Broadway, 8th street, and 34th Street in NY for a bag that served that purpose. Store in and store out, the answer was – “They don’t make a bag like that!”
Out of necessity, the original Solepack (SP-1) product was born. I started cutting up old backpacks and roughly pieced together a shoe-string accessory bag. Somehow in the age of early online searches, I found a patent lawyer and after several failed attempts, I received a utility patent that claimed the rights to store kicks on backpacks.
It’s been a wild ride and every day it still feels like we’re just getting started.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely, not a smooth road but the following outlook helped me power through any obstacle: A long-term perspective and understanding that there would be no problem big enough to stop the evolution of the Solepack product into the world.
Struggles along the way are numerous and range anywhere from the difficulties of nailing down the first working prototype- took about 1-2 years of faulty samples before landing on a sample pretty close to what you see as the SP-1 product we have today. The common dilemma of sourcing a trustworthy manufacturer- we’ve had several lots that come in with faulty stitching, wrong buckles being used, to the equivalent of 2 Right pairs of shoes being sent (since our shoe bag comes as a pair).
These obstacles are always HIGH stress at the time they occur but the wisdom lies in weathering that storm and understanding it will just be another little blip in the grand scheme of things. Trust the process is a common phrase some people lightly throw around but it was my truth.
As you know, we’re big fans of SOLEPACK. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Solepack is an NYC-based small business specializing in uniquely packing your sneakers during travel. Our products are patented, unique, and connect on a grassroots level with our inspiring and diverse community of athletes, artists, and travelers. We love being inclusive of all ethnicities, sexual preferences, ages, brands, and journeys.
All are welcomed in our house in our bag. We build our products to prepare you to take on life on a daily. Our biggest point of differentiation is our patented and detachable SP-1 sneaker carrier. It fastens to any backpack and we also have a fully compatible OMEGA sports-inspired backpack that pairs alongside. The SP-1 innovative design has led to ur 1st NBA license with the NBALAB family.
The brand has become more than just a bag, it’s become a movement that packs alongside all those willing to take on their personal uphill journeys. Those that take on life’s challenges, see the fear in the room and PACK on despite all the seemingly impossible battles. We PACK for you. Alway for the SOLE of the game.
Whatever game that may be!
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Yes..the realities of COVID-19 definitely taught us many life lessons.
Some special ones are: That there are really people who are in our corner. From those that continue to sort out production problems when the world shuts down… to the folks that love their crafts and continued to PACK-on and create for the SOLEPACK movement… to the brand architects and their partners that kept the brand’s name mentioned in convos behind closed doors.
Solepack doesn’t go anywhere unless our community keeps on moving. When you move we move!
Pricing:
- SP-1 shoe bags: range from $30-50
- OMEGA backpack kits: $90-120
- GRF shoe storing string bags: $30-$40
Contact Info:
- Email: info@thesolepack.com
- Website: www.thesolepack.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solepack/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SolepackNYC/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Solepack
Image Credits
Headshot photographed by @gnp_photos
