The History Of Croc Shoes
Croc shoes started in 2002 as footwear for boating. They were waterproof and the rubber kept you from slipping, they were perfect. “The Product was originally produced in Canada in clog-form,” says co-founder Lyndon V. Hanson. “We added a strap for utility, and gave it some flair”
Believe it or not Croc shoes are certified by the US Ergonomics council and the American Podiatric Medical Association. So even though some people think that its terrible fashion you can’t argue that they are not good for your feet.
The original design was to help people with plantar warts and achy feet. They can also help people who have general foot problems such as bunions and even diabetes.
Now ever since 2002 you will see a number of people walking the streets wearing croc shoes. People wear them for all different reasons. Some wear croc shoes for fashion statements others for a more concealed sandal alternative. Whichever you reason for wearing croc shoes remember that not only are they cheap but good for your feet.
More History of Croc Shoes
Croc shoes are the very soul of entrepreneurship. They are the first of their kind, born from the dream of a man who specialized in getting things off the ground and now works to help others learn to do the same. This man, George B. Boedecker Jr., is a master of free enterprise. He started out working for Dominos, where he owned and operated a whopping 100 franchises throughout North America. He then moved over to the Canadian Quiznos company in 1996, where he worked as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of International Sales and Operations until 2002. Additionally, he founded Oregon Food Concepts, LLC, a company that owns and operates multiple Quiznos locations throughout the states of Washington and Oregon.
In 2002, he left Quiznos to be the Chief Executive Officer of Crocs, the company that he created and founded. He held this position until 2006, when he left Crocs to work for the Anthony H. Kruse Foundation as its director—a position which allows him to help share his dream and enable others to have the courage to pursue theirs.
During the time that George Boedecker was with Crocs, it experienced substantial growth. This growth started when Boedecker took the first 200 pairs of Croc shoes to a boat show in Ft. Lauderdale, and within hours, sold every pair. The next move for the company was to buy the rights to “croslite,” the key component of Croc shoes, as well as the company that manufactured it, Foam Creations. Croslite is what gives Croc shoes both their multiple health benefits and their incomparable comfort ratings. Boedecker’s last action with the company was to purchase the Jibbitz company in 2006, and to continue the mass production of “Jibbitz,” little decorations that are designed to pop in and out of the ventilation ports in Croc shoes.
After he left, Crocs continued to expand its horizons, beginning production on sandals and golf shoes after acquiring Ocean Minded and Bite Footware in 2007. Purses and clothing are also manufactured by Crocs, who currently employs over 5,300 people and runs on an annual operating budget of 168.2 million dollars each year.
Croc shoes are an example of an amazing product that led to an amazing company, and all because of one amazing man. This story is an inspiration to free enterprise worldwide, and a testimony of just what can happen when you choose to follow your dreams.
