By KC Santos
MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA – College students Ina Ramos and Cedric Dy established Swap Straps, which specializes in the practical approach to achieving style and comfort when it comes to footwear.
The two are on their last year as entrepreneurship majors at the De La Salle University. Ina and Cedric came up with the business for their practicum to show that a novelty idea is more effective when this is incorporated with the consumers’ basic needs.
“We’ve been wearing slippers for so long and with the trend of expensive slippers taking over locally made ones, we thought of innovating on Marikina-made slippers to show that you don’t really need to buy an expensive pair all the time,” says Ina.
The underlying concept behind Swap Straps is to give consumers who are easily bored with their flip-flops more options without having to spend for another pair.
All their slippers are designed with modular velcro straps so that these could be interchanged with spare straps that usually go with a single purchase of Swap Straps flip-flops. The 20-year-old Ina designs the velcro straps used in the slippers.
Essentially a borrowed idea, Ina says the difference lies in the fact that their flip-flops are 100 percent Marikina made and that most of the materials are sourced locally.
In the process of deciding which designs will be made, Ina says she had to source accents abroad if she can’t find enough materials in Divisoria.
“The sad fact is that it’s hard to be different when most of the essential materials found here are all alike. Especially in a business that’s not entirely new, we really have to strategize how to stand out,” she shares.
Cedric, who oversees the quality of the products, adds that they make sure customers will be getting value for money especially since their flip-flops are also designed for hardworking individuals who are always on the go.
There are limitless possibilities with just one pair of either their flip-flop or wedge slippers. Ina’s casual and boho-chic designs are a hit among teens and yuppies while her bolder bronze and gold palette straps are comfortable enough for busy mothers.
Two extra straps of the customer’s choice usually go with a pair of flip-flops (P499) and wedges (P699). To introduce the product to more people, the two solicit money from family and friends to come up with funds which they use to join bazaars.
With brisk business in just the first quarter of Swap Straps, Ina says they are determined to continue the business after college. The two are planning to give a portion of their sales to the shoemakers of Marikina.
“Essentially because we also want to give back to people who in their small ways made our business practicum idea a success,” Ina says.
Get more information about Swap Straps
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