Barbara and Keith Zimmerman are creating socks with a flair.

STARTUP // SockAtudes

ENTREPRENEURS // Barbara Zimmerman and Keith Zimmerman

WHAT THEY DO // SockAtudes sells socks with colorful and striking designs. The company can create any sock design, and they require only a 24-piece minimum. The company partners with Rock Em Socks, an Orlando, Fla., business operated by a friend of the Zimmermans. Rock Em buys blank socks for both groups and concentrates on e-commerce trade, while SockAtudes handles mostly brick-and-mortar trade.

THE INSPIRATION // Barbara Zimmerman observed that most socks were dull, and she wanted to create footwear that offered some pizazz. She turned an everyday essential into a colorful design piece. SockAtudes creates a variety of designs, including custom socks bearing corporate logos. Sockatudes also has licenses to produce socks for sports fans of several colleges and universities, including the University of Kansas and Kansas State University. Fans can keep their feet warm and show their loyalty as well.

WHAT’S NEXT? // The Zimmermans will continue to seek licenses to sell themed socks for teams.

Visit the website at www.sockatudes.com or call (913) 991-5233.