Lock Laces

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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Entrepreneur has big dreams for laces". Capital Gazette. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  2. "Lock Laces Eliminate the Need to Tie Your Shoes Ever Again". Lifehacker. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Inventors Insider: 5 Tips for Creating a Prototype". Black Enterprise. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  4. "Lock Laces: The Best Thing to Happen to Shoe Laces Since the Double Knot". Primer Magazine. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 "Small Business Tips for Surviving & Thriving in a Recession" (PDF). The Daily Record. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  6. "Lock Laces vs. Yankz – or – "Sure they stretch, but do they keep me from flopping about?"". Beyond Limits Magazine. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  7. "Gear • Lock Laces". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 7 March 2013.
  8. 1 2 3 Stephanie Lytle (July 15, 2010). "Mom spearheads international awareness campaign". Dillsburg Banner.
  9. 1 2 "Shoes Loop 21". Loop 21. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  10. "Selling on Amazon: Fee Increases for Sellers and Merchants". Small Biz Trends. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  11. "Everybody Wins Implus Acquires Penguin Brands Shoe Care-assets Penguin Rebrands". SNEWS. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  12. 1 2 3 "Special Olympians tie their shoes for good". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  13. "The Little Shoelace That Could". Central Penn Parenting. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  14. "Life Changing Shoelaces". Parenting Special Needs. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
  15. "Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Fit Feet Program". Retrieved December 18, 2013.

External links

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