By Natalie Gilbert
Staff Writer
Being an avid flip-flop wearer, local Coppell mom Jan Jones got fed up with not being able to wear her favorite shoe during the cold winter because her feet would freeze.
In order to fix this problem, Jones, all on her own, decided to create a sock to fit around her feet while wearing flip-flops by cutting holes in a regular sock.
She wore this regular cut up sock to her daughter’s sporting events, to grocery stores and to regular every day outings not thinking that this may be a future career option until comments about how her creation should be sold and advertised were brought to her attention.
Having a degree in advertising, Jones knew where to begin. Through her day job’s pay, she funded the production process and got the creation going.
From that point, Jones found a person who works with manufacturers in China to finally get this product off the drawing pad and into costumer’s hands.
After a two-year production process, Jones has finally had the chance to sell her new product, f.f.tawpers.
“Creating the best looking shoe with a name and design unlike the rest was not easy,” Jones’ daughter and senior Jordan Jones said. “That makes me even more proud of my mom’s persistence through all of this.”
f.f.tawpers are non-toed, unique, hole-in-the-bottom socks that go over the foot and flip flop straps, providing comfort, warmth and a cool new look compared to other flip flop sock styles.
One of the first tasks after production was to get word of her success out. In order to accomplish this, Jan shot photos to post on social media sites, sent emails to friends and, most importantly, generated her very own website.
The website includes a model of the shoe in the blue denim and black colors, instructions of wear, the make and sizes and takes orders from those across the country.
Although this was Jones’ first, this new project will not be her last. According to Jones, after experiencing what it is like to do something she is passionate about, in her case cold feet in the winter, she is willing to continue in this new inventive career more often. Jones is also hinting the future production of yet another product.
“No idea is a stupid idea anymore,” Jones said. “All ideas deserved to be researched to see if they have a viable marketing avenue.”
Jones’ ideas have proven to be good by the amount of sales she has received both personally and through her website.
Coppell residents in particular raved about the new product’s appearance at Jones’ first trade sale, the Holiday House, held at CHS on Sunday, Nov. 11.
“They are convenient because I can carry them in my purse or gym bag and slip them on over my flip flops whenever I may need some extra warmth or comfort,” product owner Cindy Rohrbough said. “I can wear them anywhere I’m going to be wearing flip flops and there might be a possibility of a chill. Sporting events, yoga class, at the movies, or after a pedicure in the winter.”
In addition to co-workers of Ms. Jones and Coppell’s love of the creation, multiple company representatives, boutiques, hair salons and magazines have taken interest in the product by offering her ads and sales opportunities.
Although sales opportunities have already come her way, Jones has not stopped there. At the moment, Jones is in preparation for more trade sales continuing through November and December.
However, these trade shows are yet again not the end. According to Jones, the March trade show in Las Vegas is the big topper. There she will have the opportunity to receive offers from large companies such as R.E.I., Target and Bass Pro, giving her a farther reach to sell her product.
“This experience has been long and frustrating at times, but the feeling of excitement that comes with the whole process overwhelmingly outweighs the struggles,” Jones said.
