SockItToMeSocks.com - Funky, fashionable socks for the people
Express Yourself with Funky, Spunky Socks from SockItToMeSocks.com
Some people express themselves with T-shirts -- “Goths Do It Better But Don’t Care” -- or baseball caps bearing favored teams or brands, such as the Steelers, adidas or John Deere.
Carrie Atkinson displays her creativity on her feet--specifically, with her socks. And with the launch of her company, Sock it to Me, she turned her fashion passion into a lively socks business.
Atkinson, a 30-year-old Portland, Oregon-based entrepreneur, found her inspiration for Sock it to Me while teaching in Korea some years ago.
“I was back in the States and was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I remembered these great socks I found in Korea. They were thick, stretchy, colorful, funky and affordable. I thought people back in the States would like them, too.” Sock It To Me was born in 2004.
Rock funky, fashionable socks for smiles and warmth
Sock it to Me’s products range from classic sock designs such as argyles, stripes and tasteful geometric designs to high funky kitsch. Atkinson's fashionable socks for men and women include ninja knee-highs, sparkly leg warmers and booties adorned with whales.
“These socks will make ya smile, spunk up your outfits, and keep you warm,” she promises.
Atkinson's funky socks are already found in many of Portland's most fashionable retail stores. With the recent launch of SockItToMeSocks.com, Atkinson's aiming to supply the rest of the world with funky socks.
SockItToMeSocks.com: Funky, Fashionable and Fun
"My customers are young or young at heart," says Atkison. "They're sock collectors, funky dressers, people with a sense of humor who want to buy something funky that retails for less than $10."
She keeps in close contact with her sock fans -- people like herself who are nuts about funky socks. Atkinson features some of her fans in the "Cool Girl of the Month" section of SockItToMeSocks.com. Each month a different person is honored for the amazing or cool things she is doing.
"She gets a bio, a couple of pictures, any links she finds valuable put up on the site, a certificate authenticating her coolness, and a free pair of socks," Atkinson says.
"Cool Girl" is on the site to inspire you, Atkinson says. "If you're having a down day or don't think you can do what's in front of you, you can visit the site and see some one who is persevering through the rough waters," she says. "It's also important to applaud women for their achievements. So often in today's culture a woman's value is placed on her looks. That is rubbish! Women do some really cool things."
Funky socks designed by the people, for the people
Speaking of cool things, Atkinson hosts a sock design contest in Portland every year, soliciting design ideas from sock fans. The first-place winner gets $500 and 10 pairs of funky socks.
She'd like to take the contest national, and plans to create submission and voting systems on her website to make that happen. For now, anyone can submit a design for cool socks on SockItToMeSocks.com. If a design is selected for production, the person who submitted it gets $200. Details and a sock template can be found on the website at Design a Sock!
Fashionable socks: Recession-proof
SockItToMeSocks.com targets retailers large and small. Sock It To Me just shipped 12,000 pairs of fashionable socks to Journeys, the company's largest customer.
Atkinson does it all with just two part-time employees. Sales grew considerably in 2008, and 2009 socks sales were solid. Korean contract manufacturers produce the fashionable socks, allowing Atkinson to adjust rapidly to changing demand.
“Even with the poor economy, we have done well,” Atkinson says. “I think it’s because socks are something fun, funky and affordable. You can treat yourself and spunk up your wardrobe, without spending a ton of money.”
A 2008 highlight: Sock It To Me received its first 40-foot shipping container of socks from Korea. “That’s the kind of container you see being hauled on the highway by a semi,” Atkinson says. A big feat for the funky footwear designer with bunnies on her booties.
Address
- 6624 SE 45th Ave
- Portland OR 97206
Contact
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- 503-407-8986
