Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Strong
Hi Mark, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I then started drawing shoes in my free time and started designing my own silhouettes . A few years down the road, I reached out to a footwear development company and that’s where it all started. I’ve went through lots of trials to find the right factories and people to work with to achieve a product that is exactly what I want it to be. Although I technically started the brand in 2021, the first model will finally release March 2025.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a pretty tough road to be honest. Language barriers and time differences have constant conflict at times. If I knew what I knew now, it would be a whole different ball game. But starting from scratch, I ended up working with three different factories in the USA, China, and Portugal. Refining the shape and fit of the shoe six times over 3 years. I think the biggest struggle for people starting out like myself is not knowing how in-depth the process of creating a shoe really is. Finding the right factories can be extremely tough, but once you find the right one, you probably need to stick with them if possible. In my specific case, the owners of the factory I was working with split up during the middle of the sampling process and really threw things off. If that would not have happened, I probably would have stuck with them and already had a release or two. You live and you learn.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I run an embroidery shop full time and just launched a footwear and apparel brand called Saint Sixty Five. The brand focus is to create high quality footwear & apparel, while also giving back to the local community. I would say I’m most proud of launching my first footwear silhouette this week actually. I think that the hands-on approach and small batches of product separate my brand from others. Anything that is embroidered is done by me at my shop. When it comes to the shoes, for this specific model I hand dyed the hemp material used for the tongues with Tennessee grown indigo from Stony Creek colors. Essentially making each shoe very unique in its own way from the different shades of blue.
What matters most to you?
My family and God are definitely the most important things in my life. I know that tends to be a pretty cliché answer, but they are the two constants that always have my back no matter what. They are also the whole inspiration behind the brand name and mission.
The name Saint Sixty Five is a tribute to my roots. Born in South Alabama, then moving to East Tennessee in the year 2000, I-65 became a common route for my family and I during the holidays and summer vacation. Now calling Middle Tennessee home for the last 14 years, nothing has changed. Living minutes from I-65, it is now part of my weekly commute. Saint derives not only from my love for the New Orleans Saints, (my Grandparents and Dad are from New Orleans) but I also wanted the name to represent the meaning behind the word. Virtuous. God has blessed me beyond words in my lifetime, and I feel it is a duty and honor to give back to the less fortunate. 1.5% of all sales will be donated to a local charity.
Pricing:
- SV1 “Radici”- $249.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saint65.com
- Instagram: @saintsixtyfive
