The Rise of Saved Soles: Where Sneakers and Faith Create Community in Topeka | Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson turned his childhood sneaker obsession into Saved Soles, Topeka's first high-end sneaker store where faith and footwear create unexpected community. This 23-year-old entrepreneur shares his journey from selling lemonade door-to-door to opening a thriving business in Westridge Mall.• Saved Soles specializes in buying, selling, and trading high-end sneakers like Jordans, Nikes, and Yeezys• The store has been operating in Westridge Mall for about nine months with plans to expand to a larger location• Patterson explains how certain sneakers become valuable collectibles, with some models selling for thousands• Growing up as a pastor's kid, Patterson integrates his faith into his business practices and name• His first entrepreneurial venture was "Little Eric's Pink Lemonade" at age 8, turning $80 into $500• Patterson's father taught him important business lessons like "if you don't make a sale, you can make a friend"• The new, expanded Saved Soles location will feature a custom shoe lab where customers can personalize their footwear• Despite skeptics saying a sneaker store wouldn't work in Topeka, the business has thrived through local support• Patterson recommends Price Package for burgers, a food truck at 21st and California for tacos, and Doughboy's Pizzeria• He's completed over 100 escape rooms across the country, becoming a self-described "escape room connoisseur"Visit Saved Soles at Westridge Mall in Topeka or find them on Instagram, Facebook, and especially Snapchat, which Patterson says is still their biggest audience.________________________________________0:00 - Welcome to Saved Soles Sneaker Store5:00 - The High-End Sneaker Market Explained11:36 - Saves Soles: Business Growth and Expansion18:33 - Early Entrepreneurial Beginnings27:15 - Faith's Role in Business Success36:02 - Topeka Business Insights and Challenges39:13 - Rapid Fire: Local Favorites and Hobbies________________________________________Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KSWebsite -- https://topekainsider.com/Facebook --- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsiderInstagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsiderFollow Your Hosts: 📱Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jdFor Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram!