We look at ourselves as a very approachable brand. We look up to Uggs, because we think they are one of the best companies out there in the footwear industry. We look at them as the top of the pinnacle but it seems they are almost to the point where they are living behind a gated community, and they do not let people in. But we are the opposite, we want people to engage us. _Randy McKinley: BEARPAW Footwear
Randy McKinley: BEARPAW Footwear
BEARPAW Footwear’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing
By: Judith Wallace
Celebs like Jamie Chung, Cara Castronuova, Karina Smirnoff, and Snooki are fans of the ultra comfortable and stylish boots made by BEARPAW Footwear.
For two seasons now Snooki seems to be the ambassador of the brand and has given BEARPAW much exposure on her top TV rated reality show, The Jersey Shore on MTV, sporting favorites from the brands exotic collection. Snooki’s top picks are the Sonjo fur trimmed suede, boetis, tama and kola boots.
Today with the aid of these celebrities, BEARPAW Footwear is growing stronger and expanding their brand. This fall they will introduce several new collections which is an upgrade to their classic and traditional boot collection. The new improvements will include new colors, prints, textures and embellishments. The have also developed a boutique collection to cater to a high end market with leather and fur finishes in knee high, 16 inches and classic 12 inch boots.
Kids, toddlers and men can also share in the comfort and warmth of the BEARPAW Footwear collection.
Purveyor of footwear and BEARPAW Footwear’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Randy McKinley gave us some insights on the brand and what’s hot for the F’11 season. He also encourages readers to participate in their Facebook and Twitter shoes giveaway, Free Shoes Fridays for a chance to win a pair of their stylish booties.
Tell us a little about your company BEARPAW Footwear?
Randy McKinley: The company was founded in 2001. Tom Romeo, the CEO of the company started the company, and this year is our ten year anniversary. He started the company with the idea of taking something so simple as sheepskin and develop a product of footwear that is comfortable. He did not want to get into the fashion world or the athletic world or things like that; he just wanted to make comfortable footwear at a reasonable price.
What is the latest collection that you are introducing for the fall?
Randy McKinley: We are actually introducing several new collections. The classics business collection have evolved into the winter equivalent of flip flops. You know every year girls are going to buy flip flops no matter what. Its the same thing with the classic collection the 8,10, or 12 inch classic boot collection; it is not going to go away. So we introduced new colors, prints, textures and thing like that. But we really wanted to branch out and start other categories or collections to our consumers. We have a great market in the classics business but we see the independent business for the mom and pops as well. Whether it is Chicago, L.A., New York, and Atlanta, places where we can do some business with the independent accounts. What we have done is developed a boutique collection which is a little higher end and it is gonna be more centered around the leathers being extremely soft, nicer finishes etc. It is going to look like old world craftsmanship on this type of product. The collection will feature a knee high boot, 16 inch boot and a classic 12 inch boot.
Who are some of the celebrities that have worn this brand?
Randy McKinley: The one that gets the most press believe it or not is Snooki. Being one of the most photographed person, she loves our boots and wears them very often. The ones she is usually photographed in is from the exotic collection. Our exotic collection is made up of premium furs whether it is fox, goat, rabbit, curly haired lamb things like that. Jamie Chung who was just in the movie Hangover 2, Cara Castronuova celebrity trainer who was on the Biggest Loser, and Karina Smirnoff from Dancing with the Stars to name a few, are part of the list of celebrities who wear our boots. Our relationship with Karina started a few years ago when we saw her on the show wearing what we thought was our stuff and when we asked it was. We found out that it was something that she was comfortable in so we entered into a relationship where she designs shoes. She has a design book that she keeps with her all the time. So our designer collaborated with her and created the BEARPAW Alyeska boot by Karina Smirnoff. We introduced it in limited distribution this year and it was well received. So her second boot the Capulet will be out in October.
What is the BEARPAW SUMMERTIME FUN Photo Contest/ Free Shoes Friday?
Randy McKinley: We look at ourselves as a very approachable brand. We look up to Uggs, we think they are one of the best companies out there in the footwear industry. We look at them as the top of the pinnacle but it seems they are almost to the point where they are living behind a gated community, and do not let people in. But we are the opposite we want people to engage us. I take it as a personal challenge with Facebook and Twitter where when someone sends me anything I respond right back to them– that personal touch element. I look at Free Shoes Fridays as simply giving away a pair of shoes. But on Free Shoes Fridays I will get two thousand people trying to win that one pair of shoes. Also just the joy that it brings to the contestant when they win is amazing. Last year at Christmas we gave away one thousand pairs of shoes to our Facebook and Twitter fans. It was the first one thousand people to respond and over eight thousand people responded. So we gave away the thousand pairs as promised and for the other seven thousand we produced a music CD and gave it to them. A young artist from LA collaborated with us made a personal BEARPAW CD with his new tracks, and we sent it to the rest of the contestants. So everyone who participated got something.
Find BEARPAW Footwear in Macy’s, Lady Foot Locker, Dick’s Sporting Goods or visit their website at http://www.bearpawboots.com/ for more information. Live Life Comfortably.