It’s Dan here, founder of Archies Footwear. We often get asked how we got started as a company and how Archies Arch Support Flip Flops came about.
Where it started
Coming from a background in Physiotherapy, I grew sick and tired of warning my patients who required arch support to stop wearing ‘typical’ flat flip flops. Let’s face it though, flip flops are a way of life for Aussies and back in 2011 it was tough to convince people to let go of their old, faithful pair of flip flops when there were no supportive options on the market that looked like ‘normal flip flops ’.
The mission
I set out on a mission to create a pair of flip flops that not only offered orthotic support, but a pair that my mates and I would happily wear. I was determined to fix the long list of issues associated with ‘regular’ flip flops and redefine what your pair ought to be!
The journey
After five years of trial and error, with input from some of Melbourne’s leading Podiatrists and Physiotherapists, Archies Arch Support Flip Flops were born! Initially, we ‘slugged’ it out at local markets in our Hometown. When winter hit, I quit my job as a Physio, filled my car to the roof with flip flops and chased the sun all the way up to Noosa QLD. It was all go-go-go and a stressful fight for survival on a weekly basis just to pay our bills/debt, however, we managed to scrape through (just!) as we eventually took on more and more retailers!
Where we are today
Fast forward several years and Archies Flip Flops are now stocked in over 3000 retail locations around Australia Archies Flip Flops have also become the choice of summer footwear for many of Australia’s elite athletes. We have partnered with some of Australia’s biggest sporting stars including Dustin Martin, with more on the way! We are also the flip flops of choice for many AFL, AFLW, NRL and other pro sporting teams! Over the years we have donated over 25,000 pairs of Archies Flip Flops to a non for profit organisation Soles4Souls and over 15,000 pairs to Australian healthcare workers.