Day: January 5, 2021

Not many people can spot a diamond in the rough. Photographer and entrepreneur Dan Folger, however, has mastered that craft, both literally and figuratively. As a result, the twenty-seven-year-old entrepreneur from Pittsburgh has built one of the fastest-growing jewelry brands, closing 2020 with an astonishing record of eight figures in company sales.

Dan is the co-founder of GLD, a fast-growing jewelry company at the cusp of creating history as one of the biggest brands in the world of fashion and bling. He started the company with his friend and co-owner Christian Johnston only five years ago. In half a decade, the company has taken GLD to greater heights with over 1.1 million followers on its Instagram page and $50 million in sales last year despite the debilitating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company has been called “the Nike of Men’s Jewelry,” and for a good reason. Its mission has been to provide aspirational customers with a more affordable jewelry option. What would typically cost $12,000 to acquire, GLD now offers at a rate starting at $899. But Dan shares how the company’s success did not happen overnight. A lot of patience, hard work, and dedication played a huge role in the brand’s rise to prominence.

Dan started as a cameraman and photographer, traveling worldwide to document the life and music of hip hop icon Wiz Khalifa. He formed a strong bond with the artist, and the two became inseparable. Seeing the opportunity to build a name for himself, Dan started forming his brand and regularly networked with people he would meet. When the time was right, he decided to capitalize on his learnings and connections. He got in touch with Christian, and the two formulated the idea of starting an affordable jewelry option.

In the world of music and sports, jewelry has become a staple. Athletes and artists often appear before press sporting bling that catches the media and audiences’ attention, growing a desire within the masses to have their own set of jewelry. Unfortunately, jewelry pieces were once out of reach for many fans and followers of celebrities and icons. GLD has filled that gap by providing a friendlier price point while still maintaining authenticity and quality.

GLD has worked with many big names in sports and music, including ASAP Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Trippie Redd, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, and Paul Pogba. Dan and Christian have also penned strategic partnerships with organizations like the NBA, MLB, and the NFL. Most recently, they’ve also started working with Marvel Comics to push the brand’s awareness further.

It’s safe to say that Dan Folger has cemented his legacy in business as GLD continues its dominance in the world of fashion, sports, and music. He hopes to inspire more young entrepreneurs to work hard to achieve their dreams. “There will be a ton of road bumps to success,” the entrepreneur shares. “A lot of times you will want to quit but you have to keep going. Taking risks is also very important. Every successful person has taken risks. It’s a must!”

Learn more about Dan Folger by checking out GLD’s website and Instagram account.

It’s no secret that sneakers are the object of some people’s obsessions, which led to the inception of the so-called sneaker culture. Sneakerheads across the globe compete to get the latest limited editions and classic reissues of sneakers. To cater to this burgeoning market, Cookies N’ Kicks offers the largest selection of sneakers brands, styles, and limited editions one can find. 

Founded in 2019, Cookies N’ Kicks prides itself on being the fastest-growing shoe store globally, carrying best-in-class brands such as Nike, Air Jordan, Revenge X Storm, Vans, and Adidas. CEO Eli Hayman wanted to buy and resell branded sneakers to satiate the market’s thirst for the latest kicks. His brand targets all individuals, regardless of age, who are avid collectors or simply love the lifestyle.

The shoe company has gained many patrons, including in the digital space, just 20 months from its inception. As a matter of fact, they are the most followed brand on social media platforms like Tiktok, Instagram, and Youtube. In Tiktok alone, the brand has more than 2 million followers and 96.5 million views in total. This shows how the company is becoming the leading retailer of sports-inspired lifestyle shoes on the global scene. 

Best of all, clients can shop for the most sought-after sneaker shoes from their boutique in Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles. Also living up to the store’s name, this store gives out delicious cookies to its customers free of charge. However, Cookies N’ Kicks isn’t just confined to their brick and mortar store. They also have an online website that customers can access 24/7, wherever and whenever they want to. In just 3-5 days, orders are shipped to the chosen location.

On the other hand, employee welfare is one of the strongest points of the brand, according to CEO Eli Hayman. He shared, “What makes us different from our competition is, we buy and sell shoes and clothing in the most friendly way possible. We truly consider our entire staff a family and get together out of work all the time.” A philanthropist at heart, Eli hopes to provide more jobs as his company grows globally. In his own words, “Taking people who need jobs and helping provide for their needs is something I hope I can do for more people in today’s society.”

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has forced most business establishments to shut down, the crisis has only encouraged Cookies N’ Kicks to never back down. Having tripled its previous years’ revenues in the past few months, the company has shown everyone that it is a force to be reckoned with. “Customer experience is what we prioritize above all else. I think our focus on creating a community for our customers, and social media growth is the reason why we’ve been so successful during a time where most businesses were failing,” said partner Luca Schnetzler.

Customer service is also top-notch in this company. “Not only our staff but our customers are treated with a warm welcome and a cookie as if it was their own home,” according to Eli. On top of that, their social media sites are curated to spread positive and family-friendly videos that share what it’s like to be part of their team.

This is all thanks to Eli Hayman’s hardwork and blazing passion, as well as the dedicated team behind him, which made Cookies N’ Kicks the go-to multi-brand sports and lifestyle sneaker store. They made the store every sneakerhead’s dream come true. It’s no wonder why they are the most sought-after store, even among celebrities. 

Check out their website for their latest sneaker collection drops. Follow them on Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube.