Lock Laces
| Product type | Shoelace fastenings |
|---|---|
| Owner | Street Smart LLC |
| Country | USA |
| Introduced | 1999 |
| Markets | World |
| Tagline | Win. Never tie. |
| Website | http://www.locklaces.com |
Lock Laces is an elastic shoelace fastening system patented by Street Smart LLC.[1][2][3] The Lock Lace system consists of an elastic shoestring which is fastened at the top of the shoe by an adjustable locking mechanism.[4][5][6][7][8]
Eric Jackson is the president and CEO of Street Smart LLC, the owner of the Lock Laces brand.[1][9] Lock Laces is manufactured and distributed by Positive Distribution LLC and Nathan Sports, Inc.[10][11]
History
Eric Jackson originally invented Lock Laces for personal use when he became frustrated that his shoelaces would become untied while playing sports.[1][3][12] His original design utilized elastic shoestrings and barrel cord locks.[1] After he was laid off from his job as a light bulb salesman, and a personal friend suggested that he sell his invention, Jackson formed Street Smart LLC in order to market Lock Laces.[1][5] Street Smart LLC was launched with the help of $80,000 raised from investors.[1]
In 1999, Jackson began marketing Lock Laces while assembling the product in his mother’s basement.[1][9] Jackson later began contracting out the packaging and assembly of Lock Laces to Opportunity Builders, Inc., a Millersville, Maryland-based nonprofit that offers employment opportunities for adults with developmental and physical disabilities.[3][5][12][13]
In 2011, Lock Laces became a national sponsor of the Special Olympics’ Healthy Athletes Fit Feet program.[8][12][14][15] Lock Laces has also partnered with the American Indoor Football Association.[8]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Entrepreneur has big dreams for laces". Capital Gazette. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Lock Laces Eliminate the Need to Tie Your Shoes Ever Again". Lifehacker. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Inventors Insider: 5 Tips for Creating a Prototype". Black Enterprise. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Lock Laces: The Best Thing to Happen to Shoe Laces Since the Double Knot". Primer Magazine. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Small Business Tips for Surviving & Thriving in a Recession" (PDF). The Daily Record. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Lock Laces vs. Yankz – or – "Sure they stretch, but do they keep me from flopping about?"". Beyond Limits Magazine. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Gear • Lock Laces". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7 March 2013.
- 1 2 3 Stephanie Lytle (July 15, 2010). "Mom spearheads international awareness campaign". Dillsburg Banner.
- 1 2 "Shoes Loop 21". Loop 21. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Selling on Amazon: Fee Increases for Sellers and Merchants". Small Biz Trends. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Everybody Wins Implus Acquires Penguin Brands Shoe Care-assets Penguin Rebrands". SNEWS. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Special Olympians tie their shoes for good". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ↑ "The Little Shoelace That Could". Central Penn Parenting. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Life Changing Shoelaces". Parenting Special Needs. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Fit Feet Program". Retrieved December 18, 2013.