While he was a senior in college at the University of Oregon in 2007, Aaron started drawing on canvas sneakers and posting pictures of his art to Facebook. He got an immediate positive reaction from friends, friends of friends, and then even complete strangers. His shoes were an instant hit on campus, and he started selling the shoes as a way to make money on the side. In 2008, Aaron moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina to work as a photographer, but took his "wearable art" with him. While volunteering with children in one of the slums outside the city, he met fellow volunteer Raaja who had just started a year-long trip around the world. They hit it off right away, became close friends, and Raaja even bought a pair of Aaron's original custom shoes.
Raaja left Argentina and Aaron stayed behind, but the two of them stayed in touch and constantly discussed their travels, the people they were meeting, and Aaron's shoes which began selling fast in South America. In 2009, Aaron was invited to do a photo project in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he shadowed talented artists in the favelas and then held a photo exhibit of their work in the more affluent part of the city. The whole idea was to connect two very different groups of people through art, and give awareness to talented artists that wanted a platform to showcase their work. Aaron told Raaja about this project, and several months later both of them decided what they wanted to do in life.
Aaron and Raaja quit their jobs to create a platform to connect artists to people around the world. Footwear was the perfect way to spread art in a creative way, support artists, and give back while staying true to their story. In Spring of 2011, BucketFeet was born.
We've made shoes that are super original and unbelievably comfortable and light at a very affordable price. We've hand-selected artists to create exciting designs that are also extremely versatile. Our product quality is unmatched and we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of design.
BucketFeet gives artists a platform to connect with people and showcase their work in a new way. This is why the brand was started, and this is our central focus. We give back to artists by purchasing their work, and paying them royalties for every pair of shoes we sell. It doesn't stop there. We also support kids through programs in art, music, and sports. Aaron and Raaja met volunteering with kids, and it's important for us to stay true to the story of the brand. With every purchase, we donate a percentage of sales to our non-profit partners.
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Aaron Firestein
Co-Founder and Creative Director
Aaron grew up in Berkeley, California, a place that helped shape his global outlook on life. After graduating from college, he moved to Buenos Aires where he worked as a photographer for two and a half years. Having always been a creative person, he also started a small-scale shoe customizing company, which would later evolve into BucketFeet. Aaron never saw himself working a 9-to-5, so he created a job that combined all his major passions: travel, art, giving back, and shoes. If all goes to plan, he hopes to help improve the lives of some very deserving people around the world. -
Raaja Nemani
Co-Founder and CEO
Born and raised in the Midwest, Raaja worked in finance for four years, before deciding to leave everything behind to backpack around the world for a year. He trekked across a glacier, skydived, bungee jumped, rented and crashed motorcycles, hiked in the Himalayas, dove with great white sharks, and even played tennis against Roger Federer (we have the pictures to prove it). His trip really gave him the inspiration and confidence to get out of his comfort zone and start something that mattered. BucketFeet is the perfect opportunity to make an impact and leave the world a little better off than he found it.
