Sophomore finance with real estate major, Joe DeMartino, recently started his own custom shoe business, Disrupt Customs. DeMartino started Disrupt Customs in 2022 while he was a senior in high school in Long Island, New York. 

“I started Disrupt Customs in 2022 as a creative outlet, just painting shoes for fun,” DeMartino said.”It quickly turned into a real business once athletes started reaching out for custom cleats and sneakers. I’ve always loved art and sports, so this felt like the perfect combo — helping people express their story through something they wear.”

While being a full-time student and active member of a fraternity, DeMartino has grown his business at TCU.

DeMartino worked on his shoes from his dorm room during his first year. Now, he works in one of his friends’ houses.

“Balancing it with college has been tough, but I treat it like a priority,” he said. “I plan my weeks, carve out time to paint and stay disciplined. It helps that I genuinely enjoy it — it’s more passion than work.” 

DeMartino has had the opportunity to work with some companies and various athletes on TCU’s campus.

“I’ve done customs for high school and college athletes and even got to work with Modelo through a campaign with HF Custom Solutions,” he said.

During DeMartino’s first year at TCU, Disrupt Customs started to take off in spring 2023 after he started reaching out to TCU athletes. 

“One of my favorite experiences was making cleats for Jack Bech, a D1 receiver I’d watched on TV,” he said. “He gave me creative freedom and seeing him wear my work on the field was a full-circle moment.”

DeMartino has also created shoes for former basketball players, Jameer Nelson Jr. and Trey Tennyson. 

DeMartino can be contacted for custom shoes through his Instagram, @disruptcustoms.

 

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Disrupt Customs (@disruptcustoms) • Instagram photos and videos