It’s a beautiful feeling when one’s passion becomes their profession.
Sebastian Martinez was only five when he became an entrepreneur and started his company ‘Are you kidding?’. All because of his love wacky socks!
Never enough socks
Sebastian lives with his father Fabian Martinez, mother Rachel and brother Brandon in Kendall, Miami, the U.S. Since he was a toddler, Sebastian has had an obsession for colourful socks. His grandmother, who worked in retail, would get socks for him every time she would visit them. By the time he was five, Sebastian had more than 100 pairs of colourful socks.
One day, inspired by reading about a young girl who used her passion for design and love of sea animals to design fish-themed flip flops called fish flops, Rachel asked five-year-old Sebastian if he would like to design socks. Sebastian jumped at the idea and started designing wacky socks.
The beginnings
Soon, Sebastian wished for his designs to turn into real socks. And his mother, a publishing advertising executive, used her network to connect with a manufacturer in Guatemala that could produce samples.
In April 2014, a box full of shipment had arrived at their home. And in May 2014, Are you kidding? Was founded, and Sebastian became the chief executive of the company?
Sebastian and Rachel put up a stall at Sesame Step Children’s Shoes in Miami and decided to sell socks. Sebastian had trouble talking to strangers initially, but soon his brother Brandon, who has a knack for socialising and presenting, joined them and the three of them started attracting customers and saw an increase in their sales. That day, Brandon joined the company as the Director of Sales.
#KIDSHELPINGKIDS
Five years later, their company continues to be in business, selling their wacky socks all over the world.
The brothers also launched the Kids Helping Kids initiative, where the company partners with schools and provides tools for annual fundraisers benefiting various charity partners.
The company has also partnered with several non-profit organizations to design and sell cause-specific socks that support each organisation’s mission.
For their philanthropic work, the brothers have received a Commendation from the Mayor of The City of Miami.
What makes him special?
Sebastian made a profession for himself with his love for designing socks. Not just that, he also used his skills to partner with non-profits and raise money for them.
Picture Credit : Google