by: Bryant “B-Boy” Worthing @bboyworthing | Photo: Carlos Imani @carlosimani
Two guys with a dream, fresh out of high school’ sounds like the beginning of many stories, but none quite like the sock kings of Seattle. When Jake Director and Riley Goodman graduated from Issaquah High School (just east of the Emerald City) in 2009, they added up their graduation money, totaling $700, to start a sock company. Then called Sea Town Lax, the company is now named Strideline, and currently has 500 worldwide accounts in stores like Champs, Nordstrom, Macy’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Co-founders Jake and Riley grew up together, and their friendship has remained strong from elementary school all the way to the University of Washington. They were both lacrosse players and big fans of the sport, which was the origin of their sock idea – to design socks for the athletic sphere.
Since the company’s launch, Strideline has merged into both a sports and fashion brand that continues to grow in popularity. The number one selling design has been the socks with the Seattle skyline, and now they have ramped up with not only 27 other city’s skylines/themes, but officially licensed products including the NCAA. These two gentlemen are prime examples of following one’s passion and never letting a dream go. It was great spending time with them at their office to hear more about their FLVR:
