10 years. (11/10/2024)

10 years of paint-stained hands, late-night creativity, rushed post office runs, custom orders that made me cry happy tears, and moments where I stepped back, looked at what I created, and whispered, “Wow… this is my life.”

It’s honestly surreal to say that Merakicks is celebrating a full decade of artwork, shoes, and the most incredible customers I could ever ask for. When I look back to where this journey started, I never imagined it would grow into something so meaningful, so personal, and so life-changing.

Growing Something From Nothing

Merakicks wasn’t created overnight. It was built slowly, piece by piece, with every order, every repeat customer, every shared photo, and every person who trusted me to bring their ideas to life.

I’ve painted thousands of designs over the years, Air Force 1s, Converse, Vans, jackets, jeans, hats… you name it.
I’ve worked with families, brides, grooms, teams, squads, coworkers, military units, and people who just wanted something special to express themselves.

Every single order has meant something to me. Every message, every “OMG I love them!”, every photo of someone wearing their custom artwork, it all added fuel to the fire and kept me going.

There were times when I was exhausted, times when I doubted myself, times when I wondered if I could manage everything as one person, but then an order would come in that reminded me exactly why I do this.

The Beautiful Reality of a One-Woman Business

People sometimes see the finished product and think it’s simple. But Merakicks has always been a one-artist show, just me.

I design.
I paint.
I prep the shoes.
I communicate with customers.
I package.
I ship.
I do the admin, marketing, emails, and social media.
I do it all, and somehow, for 10 years, I’ve made it work.

It’s not easy. But it’s beautiful.

Because every pair of shoes that leaves my hands carries a piece of my heart. You’re not just getting a product; you're getting hours of thought, passion, detail, and love. And knowing that something I created with my hands becomes part of someone’s story… that’s priceless.

The Gratitude That Keeps Me Going

If there’s one thing this decade has taught me, it’s gratitude.

I’m grateful for the customers who took a chance on me in 2014 when I was just starting.
I’m grateful for the people who came back year after year with new ideas.
I’m grateful for the big orders, the tiny orders, the last-minute gifts, and the “just because” designs.
I’m grateful for every review, every referral, every follow, every share, every friend you told about me.

YOU built Merakicks with me.

Your support, your creativity, your trust, it all made this possible.
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart when I say: thank you.

Looking Ahead

10 years is a milestone, but it’s not the finish line.
I still get butterflies before starting a new design.
I still feel that spark when I open a fresh box of shoes.
I still smile when I see the paint dry perfectly.
I still love this.

Merakicks has grown with me, and I’m excited for what the next decade will bring, new designs, new ideas, new opportunities, and new people who want to wear their story on their shoes.

To Everyone Who Has Been Part of This Journey

Thank you for believing in me.
Thank you for supporting a small business.
Thank you for valuing handmade, slow-made, heartfelt art.
Thank you for letting me paint your memories, milestones, gifts, and visions.

Here’s to another 10 years of color, creativity, and custom kicks.
Here’s to you, the reason Merakicks exists at all.

From the bottom of my paint-covered heart,
Thank you.

-SK
🖤👟✨