Jibbitz, tiny decorations that clip into the ventilation holes in the top of Croc shoes, come in many different designs — anything from bumble bees, flowers, penguins, Santa Claus and Mickey Mouse can now decorate your Crocs.
Sheri Schmelzer, Boulder local and mother of three, has made millions designing the Jibbitz decorations for Croc shoes.
Schmelzer and her husband, Rich, sold their company called Jibbitz LLC to Crocs Inc. for $10 million last year, with the potential for another $10 million if the product meets certain projections. Jibbitz retail for $2.49 apiece.
Although Jibbitz are making millions in sales, are CU students interested in sporting Jibbitz on their Crocs this semester?
Some students feel that Croc decorations are a good idea.
“My mother has eight pairs of Crocs and I could understand some people wanting to have CU related or Greek symbols on their Crocs. It sounds like something my sorority would do,” said Jen Miller, an unclassified undergraduate.
However, most students seem to think that Croc decorations are not hot items.
“I wouldn’t buy any,” said Colleen Campbell, a senior international affairs major.
Charlie Ballas, a sophomore open-option major, said that shoes were for wearing and keeping feet warm.
“I have never heard of shoe decorations,” Ballas said. “I am a minimalist as far as what I think attractive shoes should look like.”
Other students think Croc decorations are just too late to be very successful.
“I don’t think Crocs are as popular as they used to be, so I don’t think Jibbitz will gain a lot of popularity any time soon,” said Dennis Vinh, a junior integrative physiology major.
Must or bust for CU students? Either way, Schmelzer’s $10 million sale of the Jibbitz design is a dream come true for any entrepreneur.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Ashleigh Oldland at Ashleigh.Oldland@thecampuspress.com.