Our Story So Far:

I'm Wade Warren, and I'm an entrepreneur and the founder of The Flacs Company. Our story began with a simple desire – to create the perfect flip flop, one that met all the criteria I had in mind. I had been on the hunt for flip flops that were thin, sleek, durable, comfortable, and stylish enough to wear practically anywhere. But my search often left me empty-handed. The flip flops available in the market, especially for men, were typically thick-soled and thick-strapped, lacking the aesthetic appeal I was looking for.

So, with an entrepreneurial spirit and a determination to fill this gap in the market, I embarked on a journey to create the ideal flip flop. I teamed up with a designer to bring my vision to life. The result was the birth of our very first flip flop, the Turbo. Its name was inspired by the leather look reminiscent of a high-end sports car's interior, just like the leather seats and trim in my beloved BMW. To add an extra touch of style, we designed leather arm or ankle bracelets to complement the flip flops (the same bracelet material is embeded on the flip flop's strap) and added one to every package. We wanted every step you take to be a statement in itself.

With the product in hand, we set out to build a website and started sowing the seeds of our venture through social media and advertising. It was an exciting beginning, and we couldn't wait to see how far this journey would take us.

One day, our efforts caught the attention of Steve Ganzer from the SGC Foundation. He reached out to us and proposed an opportunity that was beyond our wildest dreams. He asked if we would be interested in providing flip flops at a discounted rate as a bonus for golfers participating in SGC charity golf tournaments held at various locations throughout the year. Not only was this a bonus to the golfers but potentially a bonus to The Flacs Co's future.  We eagerly agreed, providing the flip flops at cost, and in return, we received the kind of exposure we had only dreamt of.

But we didn't stop there. We got creative and decided to go the extra mile. We customized a humorously fun digital User Manual for the flip flops, showing how versatile they were – from the beach to dinner – highlighting their durability and comfort, all while promoting the SGC Foundation. Access to this User Manual was made easy with a QR code placed on the front of the flip flop's packaging.

Our first event was in Houston, and it was a great success. Steve provided golfer shoe sizes, and we customized labels for each pair with their names, sizes, and the QR code. After the event, Steve promptly settled the invoice we had sent earlier, and although a modest amount, it was a significant boost for our nearly one-year-old business.

I was determined to support this fantastic opportunity, and I attended the events, personally handing out flip flops to individual golfers. Soon, Steve scheduled us for two more tournaments, one in Las Vegas, Nevada, and another in Panama City Beach, Florida, with even larger attendances.

Our journey was marked by growth and success, and it was time to take the next step. We introduced two new styles, each with vibrant new colors. The cobalt blue design and the snow-white model became instant hits. We showcased them with stunning visuals in our pre-sale marketing efforts. For the Las Vegas event, I even surprised Steve with the single pair of the new Cobalt Blue flip flops we got as a sample, and he wore them during the tournament. The golfers in Vegas loved their new Flacs.

Each event saw increased attendance, and it was an incredible journey. We were on the path to success, but then, an unexpected turn of events occurred. Steve, despite his earlier promise and our trust, didn't pay the invoices for the Las Vegas and Panama City events. Initially, he assured us that the money was on its way, but after a few months, he went silent.

This unfortunate turn of events had a significant impact on our plans for growth. We couldn't introduce new colors, and our inventory started running out. The golfers at the events depleted our stock of the most popular sizes for men. And without the cash for the sold pairs, we couldn't replace them.  However, we're not disheartened.

Our flip flops were designed for everyone – moms, dads, kids, teenagers, college students, beachgoers, and dinner guests alike. We still have plenty of other inventory, including ladies, kids, and larger men's sizes. We're keeping an eye out for customers who can fit into the sizes we have in stock, and we hope that enough shoppers will come our way to help us reach that next level we once dreamed of.

Despite the challenges, we remain committed to our vision and continue to remind Steve of his commitments. The Flacs Company is here, and we're excited to share our fantastic flip flops with the world. Thank you for your interest in The Flacs Company, and we hope you'll join us on this journey towards a future filled with comfort, style, and unexpected turns.