Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittney Perry.
Brittney, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up, I was a tomboy. I played basketball and had an older brother that collected sneakers. Playing sports and seeing my brother purchase Jordans started a passion for sneakers at a young age. Growing up in Indianapolis, we did not have any sneaker boutiques to purchase shoes. If we wanted sneakers, we would travel to the closest mall and stop in Finishline or Footlocker. I loved going to these stores, however when shopping for women’s sneakers, we had very little options to choose from. Women never had as many options for sneakers as men did at sneakers stores.
This resorted to me wearing mostly men’s sneakers from childhood into adulthood. I’ve always had a passion for footwear but didn’t study fashion in school. I graduated with a business marketing degree. After college, I got a corporate job working in a conservative industry. I could not wear my typical attire that made me comfortable. Working in a corporate environment gave me the idea to create a versatile sneaker that I could not only wear to work but could wear for any occasion. Having no fashion background and having no knowledge on how to create a sneaker didn’t stop me from jumping head first.
Having prior feelings of being excluded from certain sneakers, I made PerryCo a unisex company to strive toward equality for all. I believe this company is important not only because it’s unisex but because in an industry that is mostly male-dominated, I’m paving a way for women, especially women of color. I think it’s important that the company is seen to motivate and inspire others that you do not have to work for a large company like Nike, you can create your own vision.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t been an easy road. PerryCo has been 100% self-funded. Developing shoes is very expensive, so I would take money I had left over from my job to fund my passion. A Black woman with no fashion background who went to school for marketing and is working full time making the decision to build a footwear and apparel brand isn’t common. I also haven’t attained any outside funding support and haven’t garnered a lot of coverage for the brand.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about PerryCo?
PerryCo Shoes was created with the mentality of changing the perception of the sneaker industry. Today’s world is ever-changing; striving towards equality for all. At PerryCo, we pride ourselves in being a unisex brand. We are breaking gender barriers while delivering high-quality, wearable versatility and style. We offer unisex sneakers and apparel. Our newest sneaker, The Primeira Runner, will be available Jan 2023.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I think it’s important that PerryCo is seen to motivate and inspire others that you do not have to work for a large company. You can create your own vision. My business shows its commitment to the community by ensuring that a strategic group of people within the community – women – feel included in the sneaker industry. By creating unique styles that meet the needs of both men and women, our brand is breaking down gender barriers in the sneakers industry. Furthermore, we are motivating the next generation to take up footwear by participating in school programs and providing funding for students who have an interest in business and design. It’s important to me to provide opportunities to the younger generation and give opportunities to get hands on experience in the footwear space.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.perrycoshoes.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/perrycoshoes
Image Credits
Photos by Garrett Rountree and Bisrat Fremichael
