FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF News) – A former Nike director and Fort Worth native has launched a shoe company whose goal is to use some of its profits to help bolster the communities it serves.
Gabe Williams says “davi” will donate five percent of its top line revenue to local charities.
“So, as individuals buy davi here in Fort Worth they’ll be able to select where that five percent goes to whether it’s Hope Farm, that’s Young Women’s Leadership Academy or the I.M. Terrell VPA program,” he said.
After finding success at Nike for four years, Williams said he decided to start davi hwen he realized the disconnect often found between business and the communities they serve.
“I am using my brain and everything I have to continue to push a product to these communities and we’re not doing enough in my opinion to give back to them. That cognitive dissonance hit me really hard and I wanted to do something about that,” he said.
Williams grew up in the southside of Fort Worth and said he understands the pulse of his community and others like it.
A tremendous amount of thought has been put into every aspect of the company…including the name “davi”.
Davi is short Portuguese for David. Wililams said the inspiration comes from the biblical story of David versus Goliath.
“It’s more so that David stepped into a moment that everyone thought was impossible. He stepped into that moment and then leaned on something that was unique to him like one truth to him,” he said
According to the company’s Kickstarter page, each shoe costs about $42 to make and are manufactured in Vietnam. The Trinidad model will be initially available in four colors.
Williams said this is just the beginning and he’s ready to take on the challenges that come with being a start up.
“One of the largest challenges I am dealing with right now is manufacturing. I am a small start up and I have small orders so its finding the right manufacturer to handle that and believe in what I am trying to do and is willing to grow with me,” he said.
Williams said his goal is to be a force to be reckoned within the global marketplace.
“I really want davi to be synonymous with Nike… Addidas… Under Armour… davi. We working really hard to make this happen with some partnerships that we’re going to release within the next six months. I really feel like for there to be only three brands that we all think about…there’s room for more and that’s definitely going to be davi,” he said.
With a successful Kickstarter campaign and an owner with a community-based mindset, Williams and his crew at davi seemed to be poised to make that happen.
The company plans on making the shoes available to the public online at the beginning of next year.
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