Sebastian Martinez absolutely is in love with crazy colorful and wacky socks. Known as the “sock kid” in preschool, five-year-old Sebastian always showed off his wacky socks. His grandmother worked in the retail industry and would bring Sebastian socks when she would visit. Most kids would hate to receive socks as a present, but Sebastian loved it! Within a year’s time Sebastian had collected more than 100 pairs of colorful, tall, wacky socks.

On June 25^th, 2013, Sebastian’s mom, Rachel Martinez, asked sock loving Sebastian, “would you like to design your own socks?” This simple question launched into a business like no other. Sebastian had so many design ideas that through his mother and other resources these ideas become a dream come true. Rachel was able to connect with a manufacturer in Guatemala that could produce some samples of these silly socks.

Almost a short year later, Are You Kidding became a real company and six-year-old Sebastian was the proud CEO while his mother served as president. A few months before becoming official, the Martinez home as well as close friends and families’ homes were bursting at the seams with boxes full of wacky socks. The company become a family bonding experience as Sebastian’s older brother Brandon used his socializing and presentation skills to market the product while Sebastian’s father Fabian’s excitement and energy kept the whole family involved and encouraged.

Are You Kidding is partnered with multiple nonprofits such as Live Like Bella Foundation, SLAM ALS, Autism Speaks, Breanna Vergara Foundation, and the American Cancer Society. Each partnership is unique because specific socks are created to support that organization and their mission. Through these partnerships Sebastian and Brandon have received a Commendation from the Mayor of The City of Miami. The two brothers have also appeared on Good Morning America, The Harry Show, Noticerio Univision, and CNN en Español’s Dinero.