The sneakers industry is massive. Statistics show it’s worth over $70 billion. You’ve likely heard about people lining up outside shoe stores to purchase the latest Air Jordans or Kobes. There have also been stories about people making a fortune by hustling sneakers to customers on launch day by standing in long queues for them or using their connections to receive sneakers before they run out and then selling them for a premium.
If you’re a sneakerhead, you’ll know that some of the most hyped sneakers can set you back thousands of dollars. As a result, most sneakerheads don’t wear and discard their shoes. Instead, they erect altars to store and look after them. After all, these sneakers are expensive investments, which might appreciate in the future.
However, like all material things, sneakers also get beaten down. Wear and tear get them, especially after heavy usage. You might try your best to refrain from chucking them out, but they’ll eventually reach the point where they become shabby and can’t be worn in public by any self-respecting individual anymore.
You might want to hold that thought because that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. Sneakermat is a premium shoe cleaning service for all your sneakers and designer shoes. In addition, the company also cleans other items, like women’s purses, heels, etc.
Sneakermat is the brainchild of serial entrepreneur Aaron Zimmerman. Born in Washington, DC, Zimmerman graduated from Eastern Senior High School and became an entrepreneur at 19, when he started a car detailing business as a hobby. The experience was invaluable because it taught Zimmerman everything he needed to know about his life path. He didn’t want to spend his time as a corporate stooge. Instead, he liked being self-employed. He just needed to figure out how.
Sneakermat came about because he noticed a demand in his area for a premium sneaker cleaning service, and no one was providing this service. Understanding market demand and reacting to consumer wants is something Aaron excels at, which isn’t surprising given his extensive entrepreneurial background.
In addition to Sneakermat, Aaron owns an event management company, an ATM business, and an E-commerce online store. His extensive experience, especially in the event management business, has helped him realize the importance of catering to consumer needs. It’s also provided him with valuable lessons about customer service. He credits these lessons as being the primary contributors to his business success.
While Sneakermat is a new organization, Aaron Zimmerman has been in business for over 15 years with his event management company – Unique Society. He’s been through thick and thin with the company, from throwing house parties to hosting the Howard Homecoming recently – one of the biggest weekend parties in DC. He’s currently working on curating upbeat and exciting nightlife experiences that thrill audiences in the DC region. He’s managed multiple hip-hop events, special occasion parties, brunches, etc. An established event organizer, he has also won multiple nightlife awards for events in the city.
Regardless, his focus is on helping Sneakermat grow because he sees potential in the industry. Sneakermat only has one location in Washington, DC. But Aaron plans to change that soon. His foreseeable goal involves opening three more Sneakermat locations because expansion means a larger audience, and if there’s one thing Aaron Zimmerman isn’t afraid of, it’s daring to be great.
That doesn’t mean he’ll leave his other businesses behind. He still plans to add more nightclubs to his belt and throw more exciting events that captivate the people of DC. But with Sneakermat, he might have a titan on his hands. A beast waiting to be unleashed so it can take over the market.
