Researching the competition, Kittredge saw the opportunity for a custom slides company that could produce comfortable footwear quickly, one pair at a time. At first, the entire staff included just Kittredge and a single intern. After growing disgruntled as the head of the basketball division at Reebok in 2012, when the company was shifting away from the sport, he turned his sights toward creating ISlide. The Celtics connection, which helped ISlide gain footing in the industry, emerged again as an asset when the company – like so many others these days – encountered tough times. Once laid off - ultimately, temporarily - from a previous job at Reebok, Kittredge vowed never to push anyone into the same fate. It’s a promise he kept until the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to shift into survival mode in an attempt to right a business that had never wobbled like this before. The former Celtics players marveled at Kittredge’s work ethic and spirit, believing that his energy – as much as the unique concept – served as the foundation for his business’s success.
#Islide shark tank where are they now professional#
Olynyk continued to show love from his new professional home in Miami. Turner and Crowder joined the company as investors. Until recently, ISlide thrived, capitalizing on its unique vision and quality slides. Visitors at his house can see his many pairs of sandals. As ISlide continued to expand, Olynyk emerged as one of the key supporters, hawking the products at every turn. He supplied a different design to all of the instructors at his summer basketball camp. Among his favorites were a pair with a silhouette of him in a snapback hat with his hair flowing through. Olynyk, drawn to Kittredge’s enthusiasm, visited the company’s Hyde Park headquarters several times and developed relationships with a number of people throughout the business. The Celtics were rising, business was booming and ISlide was carving out a place in the market. The players were eager to flash their footwear through social media and other channels, Olynyk believes, because the sandals revealed a part of them. Jae Crowder wore a pair that read “99 problems,” a play on Crowder’s number and the Jay-Z song by that name. Isaiah Thomas owned a slew of different pairs, including one stamped with his nickname: The King in the Fourth. Evan Turner proudly showed off his slides with the famous bicycle logo from the film “E.T.” superimposed on a basketball. Since then, several players have supported the company in their own ways. That was near the start of the Celtics’ infatuation with ISlide. From everybody’s reaction, Olynyk knew he had smacked a home run. Avery Bradley’s shouted out his hometown, Tacoma, Wash.
Jonas Jerebko’s featured the logo of the eSports team he owned. Marcus Smart’s highlighted the guard’s haircut at the time – a dyed mohawk. Through ISlide, Olynyk designed a pair for each of his teammates. NBA players could get just about anything by themselves, but they couldn’t personalize such comfortable sandals elsewhere. Olynyk even memorized the motto: Stand in what you stand for. He appreciated everything about the business, from the people who worked there to the idea for the customizable footwear.
Thankfully, he knew a Boston-based company that could help him out.Īfter meeting Justin Kittredge, the owner of ISlide, Olynyk fell in love with the company’s customized sandals. He wanted to pick something each of his teammates could appreciate. What do you get friends who can afford just about anything? Olynyk believed he needed to get something the players couldn’t find anywhere else. Years ago, Kelly Olynyk wanted to present his Celtics teammates with a gift, but ran into the same problem many NBA players have encountered over the years.
#Islide shark tank where are they now series#
Editor’s note: In an effort to support local businesses that are being threatened by the devastating effects of the coronavirus, The Athletic is publishing an ongoing series of stories to highlight our treasured communities.
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