The brand that does shoes for everyone: Billy's Footwear

Billy Price, co-founder of BILLY Footwear, transformed a personal challenge into a global solution for people with mobility impairments. After suffering a spinal cord injury as a teenager, Billy faced numerous obstacles, including the inability to independently put on shoes. His struggle with this everyday task led to the creation of BILLY Footwear, a brand that combines fashion and functionality through its patented universal design, offering a wide variety of shoes inclusive for everyone.

The innovative design of BILLY Footwear includes a wraparound zipper, allowing the shoe’s upper to open fully, enabling users to slide their foot in easily. A gentle pull on the zipper secures the shoe, offering both ease and independence. What began as a prototype to fulfill Billy’s personal needs quickly expanded into a mission to make shoes that are fashionable, functional, and inclusive for everyone. The company was founded in 2015 and has since achieved significant success, generating over seven figures in revenue and employing over 20 full-time staff members.

Since its inception, BILLY Footwear has expanded its offerings to include more than ten collections, ranging from kids’ and toddlers’ shoes to designs for men and women, covering sports, casual, and comfort categories. BILLY Footwear is now featured in major retailers like Nordstrom and Zappos, and has gained widespread attention, even appearing in the upcoming Ghostbusters movie. The brand has become a symbol of inclusivity and empowerment within the chronic illness community. Billy, who holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington, saw his products hit the shelves of these prestigious stores within five years of launching the company. What started as a personal challenge for Billy has grown into a global movement, reshaping the way we think about adaptive footwear.

For more information:
https://billyfootwear.com/

Adapted from:
https://footwearnews.com/shoes/children-footwear/billy-footwear-disabili...
https://2xecommerce.com/podcast/ep375/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV77X9CzHM8