He partied with Fleetwood Mac, delivered pizza to Joe Montana, traveled around the world 28 times, and co-founded one of the bestselling footwear brands on the planet. Now visionary entrepreneur, humanitarian, and incurable rebel George “Boe” Boedecker, Jr. has put it all down in print.
In Croc: How I Invented the World’s Most Popular Shoe, Became a Massive Success, and Nearly Destroyed Myself—in 15 Easy Lessons (out this week from HarperCollins Leadership), Boedecker, Jr. dishes on the unlikely inspiration that led to the largest IPO in footwear history, and the wild ride that accompanied it. Sprinkled in are words of wisdom on both life and leadership.
Below, he shares candid answers to a few questions with Footwear Plus.
George “Boe” Boedecker, Jr.
Q: What made you decide to write your book now?
I’ve been here in Nashville for years now, making music with great musicians. I’m far enough removed from the founding of Crocs and from Boulder and from my—let’s call it “colorful”—youth that I was finally ready to look back and make sense of it. And straighten some stories out. Just to tell my own story, which I’m pretty sure is not like that of most CEOs. Or most Earthlings, period.
Q: What will come as the biggest surprise to your readers?
How quickly we had success and what an absolute gas it was marketing the shoes—tooling around on the boat, in the yellow cars, with great friends, meeting strangers, ignoring those people who hated the shoes or couldn’t understand why they were so successful. Encounters with all those people who were open enough to see that this was a revolution, and they were going to be foot soldiers in it for the next 20 years. And counting.
Q: What’s the number one takeaway you hope people in the footwear industry will get from your book?
You can’t fool people. Or you can’t fool their feet. Whatever fashion mavens thought of the look and “cheap” composition of Crocs, there was no denying how comfortable my shoes were, how easy to get in and out of them, how durable, how lightweight, how inexpensive. No one ever got poor selling stuff that was comfortable. I couldn’t care less what some tastemakers thought. And you know what? They’re probably wearing Crocs around the house when no one’s looking. I know their kids are. And I don’t see why that should change 20 years from now, either.
Q: What will be Crocs’ most lasting mark on fashion?
We live in The Era of the Individual, where each and every one of us wants to be heard and seen as special. Unique. Look at all the ink and piercings young people have now, to mark their own territory. Because of Crocs’ unique look, the bright colors, the funny 13 holes, the connection with Jibbitz, the partnership with so many famous brands that can’t wait to be associated with us, my shoes were made for this period in history. I know the haters will hate us, but why do I care? Those who love Crocs way outnumber the haters, and out-passion them, too. And if you really, truly hate Crocs? Go design your own shoe that sells billions.
“No one ever got poor selling stuff that was comfortable.” —George Boedecker, Jr.
The post Crocs Talk: Up Close with Co-founder George Boedecker, Jr. appeared first on Footwear Plus Magazine.
