Croc shoes are a baffling designer piece. Never before in the history of fashion has there been a style that inspired such love or hate from consumers! Without exception, those who can get past the debatably awkward look find that the shoes themselves are more comfortable than anyone could have imagined, and have multiple benefits to offer the wearers.

The credit for developing the original Croc shoes has traditionally gone to George B. Boedecker Jr., an entrepreneur from Colorado. However, the inspiration for the idea came from a simple plastic clog that was intended to be a spa shoe. Mr. Boedecker took this simple idea and turned it into a fashion statement that shook the world.

George was not only the original designer of the Croc shoes, he also founded the company and served as its Chief Executive officer from 2002 to 2006. This was not his first experience with being in charge, however. From 1996 until February of 2002, he worked for the Quiznos Corporation in Canada under the title of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of International Sales and Operations. He is also responsible for founding Oregon Food Concepts, LLC—a company which owns and operates multiple Quiznos franchises in the states of Oregon and Washington. His very first entrepreneurial experience though was actually with Dominos, where he owned and operated over 100 franchises!

After leaving the Crocs company in 2006, he turned his attention to more philanthropic efforts by taking on the Directorship of the Anthony H. Kruse Foundation. This great company runs on action and the passion of dedication; it seeks to drive people to aspire to make a difference in their community and in the lives of others. Additionally, it seeks to be a thought and action leader globally, and to enable others to improve their lives through health, wellness, education, and the entrepreneurship that allowed Mr. Boedecker to change the world on many levels.

The headquarters for Croc Shoes are in Colorado, but the company has quickly become global and has manufacturing companies in China, Florida, Mexico, and even Italy! The story of the plastic spa clog that turned into a worldwide phenomenon is truly amazing. Shortly after the idea’s conception, Mr. Boedecker brought about 200 pairs of the shoes to a boat show—and sold out almost immediately. After that day in Ft. Lauderdale, the company grew exponentially, vastly increasing in size when it bought Foam Creations in 2004 and acquired the rights to “croslite,” the legendary material that allows Croc shoes to form to your foot and create a medically beneficial shoe.

After that came Jibbitz in 2006, then Bite Footware in 2007. To date, the company’s most recent acquisition is Ocean Minded, a sandal manufacturer, which joined the company also in 2007. After expanding its horizons to include the manufacture of purses, accessories, clothing, and a wide variety of shoe styles, Crocs now employs 5,300 people and operates on an income of 168.2 million each year! This company is a wonderful example of the American dream, and how one person can take their dream and make it a reality for the world.