In a world where the line between fashion and functionality blurs more with each passing day, the footwear industry stands at the forefront of a revolution. At the heart of this transformation is Matt Jones, who joined us on the latest episode of the B2B Breakthrough Podcast. What emerged was more than the story of a product; it was a narrative about passion, culture, and the entrepreneurial spirit.
Table of Contents
Who is Matt Jones?
Revolutionizing sneaker care
A nod to the 90s
Beyond business transactions
An Alibaba success story
Fueling the dream
Who is Matt Jones?
Matt is the Founder of Creast Beast, an innovative shoe care brand that provides sneaker enthusiasts with effective products to preserve footwear aesthetics. He was a 2021 Alibaba.com Manifest Grant recipient, a success story featured during Alibaba.com’s inaugural CoCreate event last September, and was recently announced as one of 2023’s Southern California Job Creators Grant Finalists.
Revolutionizing sneaker care
Crease Beast isn’t just another must-have accessory in the footwear care market; it’s a testament to the ingenuity borne out of necessity. Matt’s journey began with a simple childhood hack – stuffing socks into sneakers to avoid those dreaded creases.
This practice, familiar to many sneaker enthusiasts, evolved into the development of a foam-based crease protector that Matt and his co-founder engineered. Crease Beast brought a revolution in sneaker care, ensuring that both new and cherished old sneakers can maintain their fresh, crisp look.
A nod to the 90s
At its core, Crease Beast is a love letter to the 90s hip-hop and sneaker culture. Matt clearly puts it, “That’s our value proposition – to offer a product that will keep the lifespan of your shoes. We cater to those old-school hip-hop sneakerheads who grew up in the same era as us.”
The brand aims to connect with those who hold the golden era of the 90s close to their hearts, offering products that not only enhance the appearance of sneakers but also preserve the identity and style unique to each individual. As sneaker prices continue to climb, Creast Beast provides a much-needed solution for enthusiasts seeking to keep beloved footwear in perfect condition for years.
Beyond business transactions
We’re talking about building strong relationships with manufacturers. As Matt shares, transforming these relationships into partnerships based on mutual respect and appreciation can unlock unforeseen opportunities. Engaging with them on a human level, thanking them, and showing appreciation, especially during challenging times, can lead to unexpected opportunities, such as manufacturers offering to work on additional projects beyond their initial goals.
An Alibaba success story
“I saw the industry developing. I saw what customers were buying. People were buying things to enhance the appearance of their shoes. There’s a small niche in this big industry that’s slowly developing…and with the right products, it can really enhance this niche to aesthetics.”
That basically sums up how Matt became an Alibaba success story. His message is clear – take chances and embrace innovation. As an entrepreneur, don’t wait for perfection. Launch your imperfect ideas into the world, and you might be surprised by the positive reception and support you receive.
Fueling the dream
You want to build a business. But there’s a problem: money.
For entrepreneurs struggling with capital constraints, Matt offers a beacon of hope. He points out the grant opportunities and support networks available to developing business owners. Whether it’s the resources provided by the Chamber of Commerce or platforms like Hello Alice, there are plenty of roads open for those willing to seek them out.
Matt Jones and Crease Beast aren’t just building a product; they’re crafting a legacy that bridges past and future generations of sneaker enthusiasts.
“To introduce a product that was never seen in this space and for it to be received – that is a huge compliment to us because, in our head, it worked. That was more satisfying of a feeling than anything.”
Interested in more of this conversation? Check out the full podcast episode via the links below. Be sure to subscribe, rate, review, and share!
Click the Apple Podcast link
Click the Spotify link
