SUBTXT INDUSTRIES

SUBXTX INDUSTRIES - Stuart Jenkins, Blumaka's founder and footwear innovation expert, once told me, "when you find a four-leaf clover, don't waste it—grab it and hold on tight." SUBTXT® is my four-leaf clover. It started in 2019 during a drive home after a Chargers game when Stuart encouraged me to build something meaningful— a business for after graduation. He asked if I knew about shoe design; I didn't technically, but I knew what good shoes felt like, having grown up wearing performance footwear. Stuart introduced me to Blumaka, which makes insoles from up to 85% recycled foam, aligning with my passion for the beach and environmental causes like Surfrider Foundation. I didn't know how to design shoes, so Noah Chavez-Stedman, a footwear designer at ComunityMade, helped turn my sketches into the MACAW, our first model. Our prototype used recycled suede that didn’t last, but we learned and improved using quality materials and smarter design. We considered Italian leathers but they were costly, and manufacturing options like El Salvador and China conflicted with our mission. We finally partnered with DMG International in the Dominican Republic, working with 100 artisans from Blumaka, where I experienced true collaboration. SUBTXT® signifies what lies beneath the foot and the story behind our work—highlighting how shoes are made and why it matters, aiming to redefine performance and prioritize sustainability. Time in the Dominican Republic has shown me the warmth of community, and our goal is to give back. Every step with SUBTXT® moves us toward cleaner, durable, and purposeful footwear.