Adrina:
You came back, we love to see that! For everyone, what's your name and give us a little bit of background about yourself.
Jacob:
My name is Jacob. I'm from Kansas City born and raised. Basically, I have two little kids that I'm managing. I've been doing car audio for the last 20 years then ventured into sneakers probably about two years ago. Now I'm doing that full time. So just being an at home dad and making shoes all day long. That's what I do now.
Adrina:
After taking the SB Dunk class, how much has that education helped your growth in a year?
Jacob:
Big time, it basically gave me the rest of the knowledge that I needed to know, to help get me where I needed to be. I already knew how to use sewing machines. I already knew how to do some patchwork. I just didn't quite know how the patterns would go together. So doing the SB Dunk class is what got me to where I'm at now. It pushed me to basically start making shoes full time and take my passion to the next level.
Adrina:
We know your customization game has improved after every shoe you post. What are some points of advice you'd like to give anyone who is looking to start this as a hobby/profession or currently in this is a hobby/profession?
Jacob:
I would say just go for it. Just do it. If you want to do it, go for it. Just make sure you believe in yourself. You don't know until you try it. So at least try. Grab some juice and give it a whirl. I would say for the people that have been doing it and are still doing it, just keep pushing. Keep putting your hard work in. That's what my support group keeps telling me. They say to put my nose down, keep working hard, keep pushing through all my adversities and try to overcome them. So that's what I try to do. Keep my head up and keep moving forward.
Adrina:
What was it that motivated you to come back a second time around?
Jacob:
More knowledge? I feel the more knowledge you have, the more you know, the better you are. I already knew how to do a Dunk and the Jordan One. I'm sure I could have figured out how to do an Air Max but it doesn't hurt to be taught. It's better to make mistakes with people who know what they're doing around you rather than making mistakes on your own and not really having a knowledge to fall back on. Being here gives me that ability to ask questions when I need to and actually get answers for it rather than banging my head on the wall.
Adrina:
How was your experience for the second time? Did you learn anything new?
Jacob:
Yeah, learning the Air Max was a completely different process then the other shoes in just the way it went together. I mean, sewing, sewing, but just the way it went together and the pieces that it has compared to the other ones, I feel it's a little bit more in depth. That's why I took the class, I wanted to know that. So that's what I wanted is just knowledge, knowledge, knowledge is power.
Adrina:
Let's talk about you as a creator for a second. Where does your motivation and inspiration come from?
What can you tell our audience about something valuable you learned to help you keep perfecting your craft?
Jacob:
I have always had a strong drive to be better at things. If I'm going to learn it, I'm going to learn it all the way. There's no point in learning something if you're not going to use it. So, I do that. I just love doing this. I always try to make the next pair better than my last pair, so I can see my progress. I compare my last shoe to my current shoe because I want to see if it's better or if it's worse. I'd say to people don't be afraid to fail. You're not going to be perfect every time. Every shoe isn't going to come out the way it is. I've thrown away so much leather and I've spent so many hours in front of a sewing machine just to throw it away and start over again because I wasn’t happy with the result. It stinks. But it's called a learning process for a reason. Just don't give up. Just keep on going. If it's not what you want, try again, try again, and try again. That's what I do. That's what put me where I'm at now. I feel that I'm in a place where I can feel confident in coming to these classes and helping other people try to move forward with their learning experience. I've learned it. I went through this problem. Let me let me stop you from having that same problem. That’s what I like to do. That's my experience. That's what I would tell people is just don’t give up.
Adrina:
What was the most rewarding experience you've encountered going through your custom shoe making journey?
Jacob:
Besides taking the classes and learning the skills, I would say the people that I've met along the way. It's friendships that help get you along. I think we need friendships as people. There's a lot of people out there doing it, but who's real and who's not? Finding real people that's probably been one of the best opportunities, being able to meet really good people. That's been rewarding. Even with you and Travis, it's good seeing you guys and keeping in touch on Instagram and stuff like that. It's cool seeing wherever we started and where we're getting, that's awesome. That's an awesome experience.
Adrina:
What was the biggest hurdle and how did you overcome that?
Jacob:
My biggest hurdle is social media. I just don't really have the urge to be on it all the time, or do it but I know I need to get out there and get known a little bit. I know social media is the new way of people being able to see your work and being seen across. That's been my difficult part is just diving into social media and actually taking the time out. Even stuff that I have sold, getting the people to share my work is rough. I don't know what it is but getting out there, that's been my toughest, toughest aspect, getting out there and getting seen. I have a website that I'm building, I'm hoping that kind of gets me over that hump. Rather than just BS, bull, messaging on Instagram, or Facebook with people, at least I can board them to a website now. I think that's going to help a lot. I hope so.
Adrina:
How else can the SDCF help you in your profession in shoemaking? We'd love to assist in any way we can.
Jacob:
Really, you guys have done everything that you can. You've taught me how to do it. You guys share my work when I post and tag you guys. Really that's all I can ask. You know, just be there when I have a question and you guys are, so it's really not much I can ask. It's what can I do for you guys now you know what I mean? So that's what I'm feeling. You guys have been great. This whole experience, both times. It's been a blast. I highly enjoy it and I highly recommend it to anybody that's interested in it. Just have fun. Even if you don't want to make a profession, you want to make it a hobby. Just do it. It's fun.
