Invented Recycled Paper Shoes 21-Year-Old Boy Makes Money Creatively

Jimmy Tonzak does not like to walk around the lake wearing bulky sneakers or sandals. He likes to enjoy the barefoot walk - but the gravel on the road is not particularly suitable for barefoot. He was interested in Vibram's FiveFingers series of ultra-lightweight running shoes, but the price of several hundred dollars and one pair was too expensive for an average student at Michigan State University.

So Tongzak started to design sandals using what he could find at home. He once sold things on eBay, home of FedEx envelopes made of HDPE synthetic paper, and used this to try to make shoes. Although the shoes made are light enough, the soles do not provide any protection.

So Tomtzak continued to think of ways to make light and cheap shoes. At that time, he was still studying. In order to earn tuition and living expenses, what kind of work would be done, and it happened to help people find the good materials for shoes when they repaired the roof. A contractor he knew at the time said that there was no need to spend two or three hundred dollars to buy a tarpaulin, so that Tangzak went to the local outdoor advertising company to get some of the remaining vinyl sheet. Tomzak went and finally bought a McDonald's big drink advertising cloth for just $20.

“When I took the plastic sheet down (after finishing the roof), I found out that it was still in good condition - it was a six-month wind blow in the cold wind in Michigan.” He said, “I realized this That's the material I've been looking for.” Benefits to the environment: Reuse used or discarded advertising plastic sheets to reduce the amount of landfills.

Although unskilled at first, Tomzak still clumsily made 20 shoes - including one that was never rejected - and finally decided on a design. Finally, he tested it with Velcro to select a flat-bottom cutting design.

In 2009 he launched an early version of the website - at the end of 2010 he had his own company, Tombolo. At the same time, he conducted research on potential customer groups and began selling test products in June 2010. Tomzak also applied for Sparkseed in Los Angeles. Sparkseed is a non-profit organization that provides seed money, consultants, and other resources for entrepreneurs who benefit the society. In April 2010, Tomzak, only 21 years old, was named Sparkseed's creative home. In just two months, a completely new version of the website was launched.

Tombolo's main product is a recycled paper shoe brand inspired by early envelope paper shoes. Tomzak said, "At that time someone asked me, 'Oh, what's the paper on your feet?'"

In the beginning, Tomzak was only sold at a cost price. He also tried to get people to bid for themselves to see how much the customer was willing to pay. Since then, Tomzak has developed a variety of sandals, including a platform shoe. Prices range from $19.99 to $39.99 and are counted as postage. The production of recycled paper shoes was all completed in Michigan. The company’s website stated that it employed “local excellent workers”.

Tomzak expects summer sales to reach 1,000 pairs per month. Some boutiques are very interested in his products. He is also trying to make his eco-friendly paper shoes a gift for multiple brands during the 2012 spring break promotion. He had spent a lot of time since the first pair of courier envelope shoes, and finally found the idea, but when talking about his achievements, there was still a sense of excitement in his voice.

"I didn't blink one morning and whim was saying, 'Oh, I'm going to use plastic advertising cloth to make shoes.'" He said, "I decided to be a product that is good for the environment, and then I try to do it. Find this idea."