From a Pair of NMDs to a Full-Blown Business: The Story Behind Sneakers Canada

I was 13 years old when I first got the idea to resell sneakers.

Back then, I wasn’t thinking about starting a business or building a brand, I was just a kid obsessed with kicks. But I wasn’t alone. I was deeply influenced by the culture that surrounded sneakers, Pharrell, Ben Baller, Nigo, and Tinker Hatfield were the icons shaping the scene. From design to fashion to lifestyle, these legends weren’t just making sneakers, they were making statements. And I wanted in.

The turning point came when I saw Pharrell wearing a pair of Adidas NMD R1s during a performance. The hype exploded almost overnight, and I knew I had to act fast. I bought my first pair for $225 (which at the time, felt like a fortune) and flipped them for $490. That was the moment I realized the power of timing, culture, and knowing your market.

That single flip was the beginning of what would eventually become Sneakers Canada.

I started small. Just me, my phone, and a deep obsession with sneaker drops, resale values, and trend cycles. I studied the game. Every release. Every leak. Every collab. I began building relationships with collectors, local buyers, and other resellers. I learned how to predict which shoes would hit and which would flop. I tracked demand, mastered negotiation, and stayed relentless.

As the flips kept coming, so did the vision. Sneakers Canada became more than a hustle it became a brand. I built a loyal Instagram following of over 1,000 sneakerheads, fulfilled over 600 orders, and introduced 24-hour delivery across the Toronto and London areas. I managed everything including marketing, sourcing, sales, and delivery.

And the best part? I paid for my entire university education through sneakers.

But this wasn’t just about making money. Sneakers Canada taught me how to build something from the ground up, brick by brick. It taught me discipline, strategy, and what it takes to earn people’s trust in a highly competitive space. I didn’t just resell sneakers I delivered culture to doorsteps.

Looking back, it’s wild to think how it all started with one pair of NMDs, a gut instinct, and a 13 year old kid with big dreams.

And honestly? That was just the beginning.