At Best Startup California we track over 300,000 Californian startups and over 1,500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and organisations we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
We’ve ranked the top 101 Shoes companies in California, United States. The companies, startups and institutions listed in this article are all exceptional companies, well worth a follow. We have included links to their websites, socials and CrunchBase (if you’re interested in their financials).
We selected the organisations listed in this article based on:
- Track record
- Executive leadership
- Market share
- Innovation
- ESG rating
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Top Shoes Companies & Startups (California, United States)
Rothy’s
Rothy’s is a global lifestyle brand transforming sustainable materials into timeless shoes, handbags and accessories.
Founder(s): Roth Martin, Stephen Hawthornthwaite
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes
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Soft Science
Soft Science manufactures shoes for men and women and make use of new technologies and innovative footwear construction methods.
Founder(s): Scott Seamans
Location: Oceanside, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Retail, Shoes
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Birdies
Direct-to-consumer brand that designs stylish flats that feel like slippers thanks to their exclusive cloud-like comfort technology.
Founder(s): Bianca Gates, Marisa Sharkey
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Lifestyle, Retail, Shoes
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Shoes of Prey
Shoes of Prey creates bespoke, hand-made women’s shoes designed by the customer, and delivers them to anywhere in the world.
Founder(s): Jodie Fox, Michael Fox, Mike Knapp
Location: Santa Monica, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes, Women’s
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Goat Group
Goat Group is a marketplace for authentic sneakers, apparel, and accessories.
Founder(s): Daishin Sugano, Eddy Lu
Location: Culver City, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Goods, E-Commerce, Fashion, Marketplace, Shoes
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Gales
Gales manufactures footwear for healthcare professionals, delivering comfort, support, and protection.
Founder(s): Rob Gregg
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Goods, Fashion, Health Care, Hospital, Manufacturing, Retail, Shoes
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Pashion Footwear
Pashion is an innovative & empowering lifestyle brand that has created the world’s first fully convertible heels.
Founder(s): Haley Pavone
Location: San Luis Obispo, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes
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ShoeDazzle
ShoeDazzle is an online e-commerce site offering personalized and stylish ladies footwear handpicked by fashion experts.
Founder(s): Brian Lee, Kim Kardashian, MJ Eng, Robert Shapiro
Location: El Segundo, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes
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Wolf & Shepherd
Wolf & Shepherd integrates running shoe comfort into classic dress shoes for professionals.
Founder(s): Justin Schneider
Location: El Segundo, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Internet, Men’s, Retail, Shoes
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WANTD
The trusted source and one-stop shop for all things sneakers.
Founder(s): Bill Newhart, Donald Engel, Quyen Hua, Ricky Nariani
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Internet, Retail, Retail Technology, Shoes
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SoleSociety
Sole Society is born on the web brand of women’s shoes, handbags and accessories.
Founder(s): Brett Markinson
Location: Culver City, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes
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PLAE
PLAE designs products that celebrate the individual, value the sustainable, and promote a spirit of fearless exploration.
Founder(s): Ryan Ringholz
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes
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Ccilu
“Ccilu” (CHEE-loo) means “liberate” in Japanese, and “liberate yourself” is our call to action.
Founder(s): Wilson Hsu
Location: California City, California, United States
Industries: Brand Marketing, CleanTech, E-Commerce, Fashion, Golf, Manufacturing, Marketing, Recycling, Shoes, Sustainability
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Allbirds
Allbirds is an apparel and fashion company that specializes in manufacturing eco-friendly wool shoes.
Founder(s): Joseph Zwillinger, Tim Brown
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Manufacturing, Shoes
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TechStyle Fashion Group
TechStyle is a global membership fashion commerce company focused on reimagining the global fashion business.
Founder(s): Adam Goldenberg, Don Ressler
Location: El Segundo, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Lifestyle, Retail, Shoes
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Kicksnation
Kicksnation is a provider of online platform focused on the modern sneaker.
Founder(s): Tamir Buchler
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Shoes
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Brandblack
Brandblack is a performance footwear and apparel brand for men and women.
Founder(s): Billy Dill, David Raysse
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Brand Marketing, Fashion, Retail, Shoes
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Labucq
Labucq is a contemporary women’s footwear brand that offers unique, smart shoes with the right proportions.
Founder(s): Lauren Bucquet
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Retail, Sales, Shoes
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Hey Dude Shoes
Hey Dude Shoes is a fashion retail brand that produces different types of shoes for men, women, and children.
Founder(s): Alessandro Rosano, Dario Kaute
Location: Riverside, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Goods, Fashion, Lifestyle, Retail, Shoes
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Vans
Vans.com manufactures shoes, apparel, and other products for action sports.
Founder(s): Gordon Lee, James Van Doren, Jim Van Doren, Paul Van Doren, Serge D’Elia
Location: Costa Mesa, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Lifestyle, Manufacturing, Retail, Shoes, Sporting Goods, Sports
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Shoobilee
Unlimited shoes, 1-out at a time, with an affordable monthly price while giving back to the community effortlessly.
Founder(s): Denny Chou, Diana Liu, Michael Chou
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Lifestyle, Shoes, Social Entrepreneurship, Subscription Service
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Hoka One One
Hoka One One designs and manufacturers lightweight running shoes with an unconventional design.
Founder(s): Aaron Braun
Location: Richmond, California, United States
Industries: Fitness, Manufacturing, Shoes, Sporting Goods
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Goal Five
Goal Five is a provider of sports apparel for women specializing in soccer.
Founder(s): Ann Kletz, Carrie Kessler, Keely Wachs
Location: Oakland, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Shoes, Sporting Goods
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Sheikh Shoes
Shiekh Shoes began its vision of expansion in 1991.
Founder(s): Shiekh Ellahi
Location: Ontario, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Retail, Shoes
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SRI Sports Limited
Srixon is a golf ball and club brand trusted by PGA Tour players including Graeme McDowell, Keegan Bradley and Peter Jacobsen.
Founder(s):
Location: Huntington Beach, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Goods, Retail, Shoes
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Ipath Footwear
Skateboarding and lifestyle footwear
Founder(s):
Location: Torrance, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Lifestyle, Shoes
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ShoeMagoo
Shoemagoo is an e-commerce retailer aimed at providing shoes at unbeatable prices.
Founder(s): Jake Risman, Steven Maman
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes
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CHICWISH
CHICWISH traces its beginnings back to the original idea: wish to cater to the young generation with a distinct sense
Founder(s): Garlok Leung
Location: Tustin, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Reviews, Fashion, Sales, Shoes
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Blowfish Malibu
Blowfish Malibu is a Home of shoes.
Founder(s):
Location: Culver City, California, United States
Industries: Shoes
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Flip Flop Shops
Flip Flop Shops is the authentic retailer of the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and casual footwear.
Founder(s): Brian Curin
Location: Sherman Oaks, California, United States
Industries: Lifestyle, Retail, Shoes
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Gravity Defyer
Gravity Defyer is an online store that delivers medical shoes for men and women.
Founder(s): Alexander Elnekaveh, Tim Wallace
Location: Pacoima, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Health Care, Medical, Shoes
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Shoe Lovers
World’s largest online community for Shoe fashionistas
Founder(s): Alejandro Santamaria Arza, Felipe Servin, Georgina Hill
Location: Burlingame, California, United States
Industries: Brand Marketing, E-Commerce, Fashion, Media and Entertainment, Shoes
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Shoe Palace
Shoe Palace is one of the most-trusted athletic footwear and apparel retail chains in the United States.
Founder(s): Tony Mersho
Location: Morgan Hill, California, United States
Industries: Customer Service, Fashion, Retail, Shoes
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Nitches
Nitches, Inc. is a manufacturer and wholesale distributor of men’s and women ‘s apparel.
Founder(s):
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Home Decor, Manufacturing, Shoes
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Chinese Laundry
Chinese Laundry is a woman’s footware company that manufactures and sells shoes.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Manufacturing, Retail, Shoes
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SmartKickz
Learning Technology GPS Children’s Footwear
Founder(s): Taze R. Ellis, Uchenna Dike
Location: Sacramento, California, United States
Industries: Education, Fashion, Shoes, Software
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We Are HAH
We Are HAH is an apparel company that offers sustainable fashion, ethical fashion, swimwear, women’s intimate apparel, and dresses.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Lifestyle, Lingerie, Shoes, Women’s
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DC Shoes Inc.
DC Shoes is a footwear company known for its skate and snowboarding shoes.
Founder(s): Damon Way
Location: Huntington Beach, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Lifestyle, Shoes
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Work World
Work World provides quality work apparel and footwear at a great value with a wide selection and exceptional service.
Founder(s):
Location: Newark, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Retail, Shoes
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KPR Sports
KPR Sports is a retail company that sells athletic closeout equipment.
Founder(s): Michael G. Rubin
Location: Rocklin, California, United States
Industries: Retail, Shoes, Sporting Goods, Sports
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Band Of Gypsies
Band Of Gypsies offers branded apparel and shoes for women for all seasons.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Retail, Shoes
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Jason Markk
Jason Markk is an e-commerce shop for shoe care and cleaning products.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Shoes
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Ryka Footwear
Ryka is the only footwear company managed, designed, and solely dedicated to creating performance women’s athletic shoes.
Founder(s):
Location: Irvine, California, United States
Industries: Shoes, Sports, Women’s
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RNKD
RNKD is a reward-based platform that allows users to organize and display their fashion styles among their friends.
Founder(s): Nick Swinmurn
Location: San Jose, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Shoes
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Five Ten USA
Five Ten USA is an American manufacturer of outdoor and athletic footwear.
Founder(s): Charles Cole
Location: Redlands, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Lifestyle, Manufacturing, Shoes, Sports, Web Design
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Baubles and Soles
Baubles and Soles offers interchangeable, slip-resistant, machine washable and fully recyclable shoes for kids.
Founder(s):
Location: Huntington Beach, California, United States
Industries: Children, Shoes, Shopping
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Donde Fashion
Donde Fashion is an online shop for women’s clothes, shoes, and handbags.
Founder(s):
Location: Palo Alto, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Goods, E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes, Women’s
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sneakerhead.com
SNEAKERHEAD.com is an Internet retailer committed to providing exclusive sneakers, fresh apparel, and select goods.
Founder(s):
Location: Norwalk, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Retail, Shoes, Shopping
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Huzza
Huzza offers a live-video built to bring creators and personalities closer to their followers.
Founder(s): Justin Womersley, Nick Smit
Location: Palo Alto, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Furniture, Jewelry, Shoes
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ASICS America
ASICS has been dedicated to designing the most technically advanced footwear and athletic products in the world.
Founder(s):
Location: Irvine, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Shoes, Sports
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GoodList
Marketplace
Founder(s): Divya Demato, Richard Demato
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Group Buying, Home Decor, Procurement, Shoes, Sustainability, Trading Platform
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AXO
AXO is a manufacture and distribute apparel, footwear and accessories for motorsport and cycle riding.
Founder(s):
Location: Santa Clarita, California, United States
Industries: Racing, Retail, Shoes, Sports
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BEARPAW
BEARPAW Footwear embodies a lifestyle of living life comfortably.
Founder(s):
Location: South Lake Tahoe, California, United States
Industries: Marketing, Shoes
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vFit Shoes
The vFit system consists of a smartphone App as well as a powerful database that resides remotely in the cloud.
Founder(s): Andrew Hanscom
Location: Newport Beach, California, United States
Industries: Augmented Reality, Computer Vision, E-Commerce, Mobile, Shoes, Virtual Reality
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HAUTEBUTCH
Menswear for Women and Trans*men: Fashion & Footwear
Founder(s): Karen M. Roberts
Location: Santa Rosa, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes
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New Republic
New Republic is a digitally native footwear brand in Los Angeles that creates classic silhouettes with modern updates in premium materials.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Retail, Shoes
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WishCast
Broadcast your wish. Get a tailor made deal. Here’s how it works: 1. Create wishes for all the things you dream of buying. 2.
Founder(s): Adam Prishtina
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes
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Runway Heels
Runway, an all-female start-up venture that was born in Silicon Beach, is pleased to offer a disruptive technology designed.
Founder(s): Alena Andrews
Location: North Hollywood, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Lifestyle, Shoes
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DVS
DVS is a global footwear brand dedicated to inspiring youth to have fun and always push forward.
Founder(s):
Location: Costa Mesa, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Goods, E-Commerce, Shoes
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ShopMyCloset
ShopMyCloset is an online shopping blog that provides discussions about fashion accessories.
Founder(s): Christine Nguyen, Diane Lin, Jeanette Le, Kathy Bach
Location: Lucerne Valley, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Events, Fashion, Internet, Shoes, Shopping, Wine And Spirits
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Milk & Honey
The luxury design-your-own shoe brand
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Retail, Shoes
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Rhea Footwear
Rhea Footwear is footwear manufacturer produces fashionable non-slip flats and non-slip booties.
Founder(s): John Lee, John Lee, Paul Ahn
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Manufacturing, Shoes
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Ruze Shoes
Ruze Shoes is an online men’s lifestyle shoe retailer.
Founder(s):
Location: Montclair, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Goods, E-Commerce Platforms, Retail, Shoes
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Old Gringo Boots
Old Gringo Boots is a Introducing ground-breaking designs that has revolutionized the western boot making industry
Founder(s):
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: Gift, Gift Card, Shoes
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Shoeteria
Shoeteria is an online store that offers varieties of designer shoes & footwear.
Founder(s):
Location: Commerce, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce Platforms, Retail, Shoes
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Palladium
Palladium is an online retailer of footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and kids.
Founder(s):
Location: Westlake Village, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce Platforms, Fashion, Retail, Shoes, Textiles
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DM Custom Sneakers
DM Custom Sneakers manufactures Handcrafted custom sneakers .
Founder(s):
Location: La Habra, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Shoes
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Jessica rich collection
Jessica Rich intent behind her clear stiletto heels is to pair them with anything and everything, giving the customer versatility and more.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Lifestyle, Shoes, Shopping
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Wish
Digital mystery boxes
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Internet, Shoes, Small and Medium Businesses
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Sportiela
Sportie LA has the largest assortment of shoes and clothes in the city. That specializes in unique styles and colors, as well as footwear.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Retail, Shoes
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Owen Edward
Owen Edward
Founder(s):
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Direct Sales, E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes
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Y R U
YRU Shoes is a wholesale & retail manufacturer of footwear for women and men both in-store and online.
Founder(s):
Location: Chino, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Shoes, Shopping, Textiles
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My Painted Shoes
We designers at MyPaintedShoes.com devot
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Shoes
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CLAE
CLAE is handcrafted refined and classic silhouettes with meticulous attention to materials, design, comfort and production practices
Founder(s):
Location: Solana Beach, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Goods, Fashion, Shoes
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Sneaker Files
Daily sneaker updates, news, reviews and release dates!
Founder(s):
Location: Sacramento, California, United States
Industries: Shoes
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Impo International
Impo International is a retail company
Founder(s):
Location: Santa Maria, California, United States
Industries: Retail, Shoes, Shopping
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A Runner’s Mind
A Runner’s Mind designs sport shoes that properly fits based on the customer needs.
Founder(s): Kyle Ballard
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: Retail, Shoes, Sporting Goods
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PYS.com
PYS.com is an e-commerce store that provides sneakers, clothes, watches, and accessories products.
Founder(s):
Location: Walnut, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Sales, Shoes, Toys
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Santa Rosa Shoes
Santa Rosa Shoes is a footwear company.
Founder(s):
Location: Santa Rosa, California, United States
Industries: Retail, Sales, Shoes
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April Parker
April Parker offers footwear and accessories that inspire and empower women with their comfort, versatility, and style.
Founder(s):
Location: Long Beach, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Retail, Sales, Shoes, Shopping
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BHBexpress.com
BHBexpress.com is a trustworthy and convenient online marketplace that offers a great, luxury variety of products at competitive prices.
Founder(s):
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes, Shopping
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SHOES 53045
SHOES 53045 designs sneaker-shoe hybrids with bubble air comfort platforms and a dose of fun.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Shoes
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Kendall Miles Designs
Kendall Miles Designs is an online footwear shop.
Founder(s):
Location: Culver City, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, E-Commerce Platforms, Shoes
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Fortune Dynamic
Fortune Dynamic is a wholesale distributor that offers a variety of fashion footwear from popular labels for women and girls.
Founder(s):
Location: City Of Industry, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Shoes, Wholesale
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Men’s Italy
We are #1 Men’s Wear Clothing on the Web
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Manufacturing, Retail, Shoes
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Blossom Footwear
Blossom Footwear is an online store that offers a wide collection of women’s special occasion dresses, shoes, handbags and accessories.
Founder(s):
Location: City Of Industry, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes, Women’s
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theShoeX
Here at theShoeX, we are dedicated to providing true and honest reviews and guides of shoes.
Founder(s):
Location: San Leandro, California, United States
Industries: Shoes
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Clearweather
Clearweather is an apparel brand that specializes in clothing and footwear products for men and women.
Founder(s):
Location: Santa Ana, California, United States
Industries: Consumer, Fashion, Lifestyle, Retail, Shoes
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TWEAK Footwear
We design shoes through social media
Founder(s):
Location: Hermosa Beach, California, United States
Industries: Apps, Crowdsourcing, E-Commerce, Internet, Open Source, Shoes, Video Streaming
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Pinnacle Brand Group
Pinnacle Brand Group engages in designing, developing, and producing footwear.
Founder(s):
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Manufacturing, Shoes
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Savvy Society
Girls fashion brand that enables girls to design and wear custom shoes using 3D printing.
Founder(s): Alexa Fleischman, Lauren Wallace
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: 3D Printing, 3D Technology, E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes
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Elaine Kim
Elaine Kim is an online firm that offers a wide range of designer clothing for women like sweaters, skirts, shoes and jewelry.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Altos, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes
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Sockwa
Sockwa is a lightweight brand of athletic footwear for sports and fitness activities on and off the beach.
Founder(s): David Zasloff
Location: Oxnard, California, United States
Industries: Fashion, Fitness, Health Care, Lifestyle, Shoes
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ShopLately
ShopLately is a women’s fashion marketplace.
Founder(s): Kiha Lee
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Sales, Shoes
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Heroyk
Heroyk is a manufacturer of athletic sneakers, producing a limited number of each model.
Founder(s): Thor Roner
Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Manufacturing, Shoes, Sports
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ShoesPek
ShoesPek is a women fashion shoes store.
Founder(s):
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Shoes
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Flashybox
Flashybox is an online shop that provides fashionable shoes for women.
Founder(s):
Location: Pomona, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes
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Very Fine Dancesport Shoes
Very Fine Dancesport Shoes is a dance shoes manufacturer company.
Founder(s):
Location: El Monte, California, United States
Industries: Manufacturing, Shoes
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Yeehaw Cowboy
Yeehaw Cowboy Boots is an online store of boots for men, women, and children.
Founder(s):
Location: Canyon Country, California, United States
Industries: Consumer Goods, E-Commerce, Shoes
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BENJAMINS
We produce our shoes in extremely limited runs, and make them by hand in our shop here in California.
Founder(s):
Location: Sacramento, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Shoes
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Nushoe
NuShoe is a dynamic firm that specializes in extending its services within a handcrafted shoe repair and conditioning webshop.
Founder(s):
Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industries: E-Commerce, Fashion, Shoes
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