Starting Out
After Scott Seamans came across a weird sort of clog developed by Fin Project NA, a Canadian plastics company, he found attractive attributes about the shoe. He liked the "Croslite" material that it was made of, and how it was resistant to bacteria and fungi.
Scott figured that the design, with a few modifications, was ideal for boating. He altered the clog design by punching holes in the shoe for drainage and attaching a heel strap to make the shoe more usable.
While vacationing in the Caribbean, he showed his idea to Hanson, a former hardware sales executive, and George Boedecker who was once an executive at Quiznos Subs. The three men decided to go into business together that very weekend, and after multiple boat shows, sales increased. The product became one that one could either adore the shoe or they think that its idiotic. However, for many the comfort outweighed the ugliness of the clog.
Scott figured that the design, with a few modifications, was ideal for boating. He altered the clog design by punching holes in the shoe for drainage and attaching a heel strap to make the shoe more usable.
While vacationing in the Caribbean, he showed his idea to Hanson, a former hardware sales executive, and George Boedecker who was once an executive at Quiznos Subs. The three men decided to go into business together that very weekend, and after multiple boat shows, sales increased. The product became one that one could either adore the shoe or they think that its idiotic. However, for many the comfort outweighed the ugliness of the clog.
Success
After selling the shoe in many small shoe stores, the Crocs began selling in large retail stores like Nordstrom and Dillard's. They realized they needed a long term plan, so they called in Ron Snyder, who was at that point the division president at Flextronics. "Think Huge," was Ron's advice for the entrepreneurs. The company bought out the Fin Project and gained right to use the resin and patent for making the shoe, which would eliminate the factor of myriad knockoff brands appearing.
Following that success, Snyder joined the Crocs company full time as CEO in 2003 and started making huge decisions for the company. He bought manufacturers in Canada, Mexico, China, and other places around the world. Engineers at this point had come up with over 20 models of Crocs and sold them in all seasons of the year, yet Hanson still says, "We've just scratched the surface."
Following that success, Snyder joined the Crocs company full time as CEO in 2003 and started making huge decisions for the company. He bought manufacturers in Canada, Mexico, China, and other places around the world. Engineers at this point had come up with over 20 models of Crocs and sold them in all seasons of the year, yet Hanson still says, "We've just scratched the surface."