Not many people can leave a stable financial job to paint custom designs on sneakers. But that is exactly what Blake Barash did.
A credit analyst based in Irvine, California, saw a Craigslist ad from shoe company Toms, which was looking for an artist who would attend events and paint custom designs on the company’s canvas shoes.
Blake Barash is an American Sneaker artist known for customizing Sneakers Athletes and Celebrities around the world. His style can be recognized with intricate details, bright colors and contrasts.
Barash, who grew up with creative hobbies such as painting and working with wood, jumped at the chance. He got a job. And after a year of painting Toms shoes, he enjoyed it so much that he decided to start his own business offering similar products.
In 2011, Barash opened his B Street Shoes store in Etsy. And in his first year of business, the company made $ 60,000.
The company sells custom-painted shoes in a variety of styles and various shoe products. Each design is completely different. It also gives customers the opportunity to make custom requests and help design their own shoes.
The Celeb Clients
Blake and his team painted the custom shoes of Bruno Mars, LL Cool J, Chrissy Tiegen, Mark Cuban, Halsey, Daniel Tosh, Billie Eilish, Tyler the Creator, Zedd, Bryson Tiller, The LA Charger, Arizona Cardinals, PiTTsburgh Steelers, other professional athletes, Olympic medalists and world record holders. Each pair of shoes is a personal statement.
History of Blake and B Street Shoes
In 2010 Blake worked for the national central bank as a Debt Analyst. He was driving to work and entering a high-rise building in Irvine, CA where he worked 40 hours a week. He would get to his cubicle, get some coffee and start working on spreadsheets. Although it was considered a good work with great benefits, there was no art involved. But hours later, Blake was constantly painting and customizing clothes and accessories for friends.
In 2011, Barash opened his B Street Shoes store in Etsy. And in his first year of business, the company made $ 60,000.
From his first year Blake was successful, making custom shoes that sell more than his company work. Custom painting sneakers were a new activity and there was no going back.
The company sells custom-painted shoes in a variety of styles and various shoe products. Each design is completely different. It also gives customers the opportunity to make custom requests and help design their own shoes.
The future of his career
This business is just one example of the growing trend in the retail industry – one of the kindest products and designs that can be customized. Social eCommerce sites like Etsy and social networking sites have made it possible for consumers to request exactly the products they want from trusted retailers. Now, instead of a cubicle, Blake begins his day with a morning surfing session. After that he takes a short trip to his Shoedio and the B Street team, spending a day creating a custom artwork, from sneakers to paintings, working with clients to help them tell their stories.
Opinions expressed by NY Weekly contributors are their own.
