The Converse Rubber Shoe Company was founded in February 1908 by Marquis Mills Converse in Malden, Massachusetts. The company specialized in producing rubber-soled shoes, targeting the growing demand for athletic shoes. Marquis Converse’s vision was to create durable, comfortable shoes that could withstand sports and everyday wear.

In 1917, Converse introduced the All-Star, the first-ever basketball shoe. This was a  game-changing design. The Shoe featured a high top and a non-skid sole, providing basketball players with excellent grip and ankle support. Little did Converse know that this shoe would become one of the most iconic designs in the history of athletic footwear.

In 1921, basketball player Chuck Taylor joined the Converse team. Taylor was not only an advocate for the All-Star but also made significant contributions to its design, leading to the shoe being renamed the “Chuck Taylor All-Star” in 1932.

Over the upcoming years, Converse became more than just a sports shoe. The Chuck Taylor All-Star found its way into mainstream fashion and became a favorite among musicians, artists, and the youth. It made many appearances in movies, on album covers, and in the rock world, solidifying Converse as a pop culture symbol.

In the latter part of the 20th century, Converse faced financial challenges, leading to changes in ownership. Despite this, the brand continued to thrive and expanded its reach globally. Collaborations with various designers, musicians, and artists further propelled Converse into streetwear, ensuring its relevance across generations.

In 2003, Nike acquired Converse. This acquisition brought fresh energy and resources, allowing Converse to continue evolving while staying true to its roots. The Chuck Taylor All-Star remains a symbol of authenticity and individuality, a testament to the enduring appeal of Converse. 

Converse, as a brand, has displayed excellent entrepreneurial traits throughout the years, and I can imagine the brand continuing to grow and expand in the future.

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Aaron Walters, who previously worked at Walgreens, Walmart, Macy’s and Hybrid’s apparel, didn’t want to just move up on the merchandise ladder. He wanted to leave a lasting legacy by using the talents that God blessed him with. So he launched Altar’d State in 2009, a faith based apparel store for women. He sums up the mission statement of the store, saying, “We are faith-based. It doesn’t matter what your background is, where you are from, or what your beliefs are. But we do run our business on some simple principles — treat others how you want to be treated and give much help to others. We put love into our business.” 

The name Altar’d State points to the altar of God, and is also a play on the word “altered.” Walters now manages 250 to 300 stores as of 2019, and the store popularity continues to grow. Customers are attracted to the store’s faith based values and messages, as well as the beautiful layout of the store, which is unique to each store location. Stores are decorated in a way that sets them apart from other stores, with elements such as furniture, chandeliers, colorful rugs, hanging plants, and antique tables and mirrors. Even the fitting rooms are carefully designed. Walters also listens to his customers, which is crucial to the store’s success. He and his employees respect their customers and make their experience enjoyable and comfortable. They deliver quality clothing and accessory pieces to their customers, while also promoting faith and encouraging words. 

Walters not only manages Altar’d State, but also Arula, Vow’d, Tullabee, and AS Revival, which are all part of his incorporation, Stand Out for Good Inc. The company also promotes Mission Mondays. When a customer shops on Mondays, 10% of net proceeds go directly to nonprofits across the country. Every store chooses a non-profit to fund and support. 

I love shopping at Altar’d State not only because I love the quality and style of their clothing, but also because I love what they stand for and what they support. Altar’d State’s popularity continues to grow, just as Walters and his team continue to inspire and encourage customers.

https://www.altardstate.com/

As a teenager, Julianne Goldmark attended a private school where she had to wear a uniform daily. Because she couldn’t get creative with her outfits, she resorted to being creative with her hairstyles. At the time, many of her friends were buying expensive hair ties to use in their hair, but Julianne knew she could make some just like them for much cheaper. Along with her good friend Emily, she got to work on her own affordable accessories.

One of the major influences in her life that sparked the idea for creating accessories was the magazine Gossip Girl. As a young impressionable girl, Julianne wanted to create things just like she saw in the magazine and that is where her aspirations began.

At age 14, Julianne and her best friend launched their business, Emi Jay. The business is still up and running to this day and has partnered with a few major brands such as Nordstrom and Spanx.

It is crazy how such a small idea evolved into a major business and that just goes to show that any business idea, no matter how small, could turn into something incredible.