Pioneering the New Age of Cycling Socks with DeFeet Founder Shane Cooper

What do British born rock stars, the hosiery capital of the world, cycling, and dyslexics have in common?  One man: Shane Cooper. After traveling with his band and playing music/bass professionally, Shane got really into cycling and consequently, socks. “It kind of started by mistake” Shane said when I asked him how he started one of the most successful sock companies in the world.  Shane was racing his bike and needed to make some extra money to support his cycling habit.  He took the things he knew: marketing (from marketing his band and playing the bass), socks (his father sold sock machines and sock machine parts), and his ability to think outside the "socks" (he re-engineered how yarn was used to wick moisture).  DeFeet was born. DeFeet has endured many ups and downs since its inception in 1992: theft, fires, tornadoes, and a constantly changing retail environment.  Think about it - we barely had the internet in 1992!  This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, overcoming adversity, maintaining integrity and so much more.      Topics Discussed in the Podcast  How Shane started DeFeet The fire at DeFeet and how DeFeet had to rebuild itself Producing products in America (instead of outsourcing) The Integrity of the brand How DeFeet continues to innovate some throwback socks creating products using local industry Gravel creating and producing movies Musician Cyclists Links Follow DeFeet on Instagram Follow Shane on Instagram Ride Run Play Episode Contest Thermeator sock Other Mentions: My producer, Roma's Youtube Music Page F*cking Magical Unicorn socks Plant-Powered Tribe Facebook Group (everyone is welcome) WATCH The Adventures of the Graveled High Rouleur Support the Show If you like my show, I’m aiming to make it an ad-free zone using crowdfunding to support it.  All donations will go directly to the production of the show. I’m raising money using Patreon.   A lot of podcasts sell ads to cover the production costs of the show, which can be quite high. I am not a fan of ads when I listen to podcasts so my goal is make this podcast an ad-free zone. The currently production of this free show is primarily supported out of my own pocket and a small portion is covered through the donations on Patreon. With my Patreon page, you can donate directly to the show which will help me cover the costs each week. If you find value and enjoy this show, you can donate any amount 200 dollars per month to as little as one dollar per episode (which is only 4 dollars a month!) I really appreciate your support! Crowdfunding on Patreon – thank you! Shop my products!  Leave a review or share on social media Don’t forget to subscribe! Apple --------------The Grow the Good Podcast is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.