There are 300 million pairs of sneakers thrown into landfills each year.
But for one self-described “everyday suburban recycler,” that’s just way too much material that could be diverted from the nation’s landfills each year.
Gary Gagnon, a vice principal in Moorestown Township from 1997 to 2001, pitched his idea for a completely recyclable shoe company called “Remyxx Sneakers,” on the ABC network reality show “Shark Tank” on Friday, May 25.
The entrepreneur is looking to kick start his company after a successful appearance on the show. The brand needs to begin taking orders to show that it’s market viable, Gagnon said, and to catch the eye of a big box store and get on its shelves.
Gagnon is already taking orders and accepting backers at his company’s website www.remyxxsneakers.com.
Currently, the company has nearly $23,000 worth of pledges and needs to get to its goal of $39,000 to get the company off the ground.
“When I saw sneakers and all that stuff that gets thrown away when they’re done, I started the ball rolling on my idea. I did my first prototype in 2009,” he said. “Fast forward three years and I’m on “Shark Tank.” It was just such a neat opportunity. I watched it all the time with my sons. I never missed an episode.”
“Shark Tank” — currently in its third season — features a panel of five wealthy investors called “Sharks” who listen to proposals from entrepreneurs seeking investments for their businesses.
The panel consists of several well-known American business owners, including Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and Daymon John, founder, president, and CEO of the clothing line FUBU.
Appearing for close to 10 minutes onscreen (the actual amount of time he was on stage was close to an hour, Gary said) Gagnon pitched his idea for Remyxx Sneakers to the five sharks, asking for a $50,000 investment for 10 percent of his company.
Remyxx Sneakers are 100 percent recyclable and the world’s first and only completely landfill free sneakers, Gagnon said. Each pair of shoes prominently features a recycling logo that shows everyone that you’re supporting the earth and supporting a green lifestyle, he said.
The best feature — other than being fashionable and fun — is at the end of their lifespan, the sneakers can be completely recycled into other items or another pair of Remyxx Sneakers.
“More than 300 million shoes are thrown away each year. The sustainability market is huge,” Gagnon said during his appearance.
While four of the sharks pulled their support from the project, Daymon John said he loved the idea of a recyclable sneaker but said he needed to see market viability for the product.
“The offer I would have to give you, you would really have to be crazy. For $50,000 I would have to have 80 percent of the company,” John said during the show.
Despite Gagnon’s counter-offer of $100,000 for a 50–50 split of the company, John remained at his initial offer and Gagnon accepted.
“I’m a phone call away from Daymon whenever I want. He’s been great. The show taped in September,” he said. “Damon’s been great. As soon as the show was completed in September, he called me and we chatted about getting out into the industry and his agenda. He wants to get it out there, talk to his licensing and branding people, and have this be successful.”
If he’s able to get the company off of the ground, Gagnon said it’s his hope that his two sons keep the company going and it becomes a multi-generational company…with FUBU’s help of course.
Want to put in an order and get in on the Remyxx ground floor and help the environment at the same time? Go to Gary’s kick starter campaign through the shoe company’s website at www.remyxxsneakers.com to place an order.
