Lindsay Phillips is the energetic inspiration and founding force behind SwitchFlops. Her footwear concept evolved from a high school art project—ceramic flip flops. Amazed by the response, Lindsay began designing functional flops with colorful straps, each adorned by a unique button. Her idea evolved when she realized that by using Velcro she could create one shoe with many straps–unlimited choices with minimal effort. This simple, yet brilliant innovation was the birth of SwitchFlops. Lindsay applied for a patent on her idea before she graduated high school.
During her college years Lindsay perfected her interchangeable design. Her travels to Europe for classes and her voyage around the world on the Semester at Sea exposed her to a kaleidoscope of cultures, colors, and patterns that would influence her strap designs. Lindsay honed her design,
merchandising and manufacturing skills working summers at Polo Ralph Lauren's leather goods division in New York City. After her patent was granted in 2004, she joined forces with her mother, Liz, to start her business and find a manufacturer. SwitchFlops made its retail debut in January 2007 at the Surf Expo Trade Show in Orlando where it was showcased as a new and innovative product. Orders started rolling in and explosive growth followed.
With the amazing variety of SwitchFlops strap designs and sandals, Lindsay's dream of changing from beach casual to a formal affair in a matter of seconds was realized.
|