Starting young, KURU Footwear founder and CEO Bret Rasmussen came up with the concept for KURU in fifth grade. He still has his original drawings and designs from his elementary school days.
Rasmussen earned a bachelor of science in business management and an emphasis in finance in 2004 from Brigham Young University’s business management program. He started KURU Footwear in 2006 when he entered an entrepreneur competition through BYU that offered a grand prize of $35,000.
After he won the competition, he invested the windfall into getting KURU Footwear off the ground.??
KURU Footwear has developed its own brand and styles of shoes, manufacturing them overseas, selling them on their website and shipping and receiving them through a third-party logistics company in Kentucky.?
The company has grown naturally and has just recently taken off with exceptional growth and increased brand recognition. The company focuses on the comfort and fit of their product without losing focus on style.
KURU Footwear received an SBA 7(a) loan last year to help it sustain its growth and allow the company to continue to increase its exports.