By, The Curator
I started to fade away from the sneaker scene around two years ago, but I still follow some of my old connections. One person that I have seen consistently popping up on the Instagram pages of some people that I know is Scott who goes by SoCal Sole. One day I decided to look at his page and found out that he makes a bunch of sneaker related shirts. Since my first successful business never would have taken off without the sneaker community, I figured I should probably return the love by highlighting someone from that same group. Read my full interview with Scott below to learn more about his brand and love for sneakers!
The Curator Blog (TCB): What’s your name and where are you from?
SoCal Sole (SCS): My name is Scott. I’m from LA originally, but I’ve lived throughout LA County. I lived in Pasadena, Glendale, North Hollywood, Pacoima, San Fernando, Lakeview Terrace, Reseda, Northridge, Van Nuys, and I’ve lived all over LA. I’m what you call a true Los Angeles native.
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TCB: Tell me more about yourself outside of shoes, what’s your story?
SCS: I work in a kitchen training to be a cook. I have two beautiful daughters that have literally changed my whole outlook on life. I’m married which is very challenging, but all marriages are. We get along really well and she supports everything I do with SoCal, so she’s been a day one. I like to live life, experience things, and see what’s out there. We don’t sit at home too often. You need to get out into the world and see what’s out there, life is all about experiences.
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TCB: How long have you been into sneakers?
SCS: Ever since I can remember. I’ve had all kinds of shoes. Filas, Weapons, Troops, BK’s, Kangaroos, etc. My mom used to tell me that you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their shoes. I think I get my shoe fetish from her, but I’m into sneakers and she is into heels. For me it’s not so much the shoes, it’s how you take care of your shoes.
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TCB: What’s your favorite shoe and why?
SCS: That’s easy, the White Cement Jordan 3, but it’s a close tie with the Black Cement’s as well. Those were game-changers . I was thirteen years old and watching the slam dunk contest seeing Michael Jordan dunking in the White Cement 3s, wow! There was nothing like that shoe. The elephant print, the first time you see the Jumpman. That was actually the first shoe that I bought with my own money since my mom wasn’t spending that kind of money on a pair of shoes. I had to save up all my birthday money, Christmas money, and whatever chore money I had so I could get a pair of those shoes. Later we went halves on the Black Cement 3s too.
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TCB: How is the LA sneaker community?
SCS: I don’t know, that’s a tough one. I see pockets of tightness throughout the community, nobody’s unapproachable though. I think for most people if you go up and talk to them about sneakers, then it’s good. There are some shady people out here, but that’s like anywhere you know. I think out here knowing someone is different than trust. You know conversation is one thing and trust is another. Like I said, I see some tight pockets of sneakerheads or whatever you want to call them here and there. Overall with LA being so big and with so much going on out here, it’s tough to get everybody in the same spot at the same time. You know that’s a hard thing to do because everybody’s got things going on and stuff like that so you’ll get them here there. I’ve met a lot of cool people through the sneakers Community out here.
TCB: Tell me how SoCal still got started.
SCS: Well originally SoCalSole was my Instagram name I thought of to do restorations and customs under. I did that for a little bit, but then I started thinking bigger for the brand. As an artist I see a lot of cool things and have a lot ideas that I want to see on shirts. So now I’m on that venture. I still do restorations for a few people and some custom work for myself here and there. My main focus is the clothing line and expanding next season though.
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TCB: How long have you been running SoCalSole?
SCS: I’ve been running SoCal Sole probably for about 6 years now maybe a little more. Pretty much when I started Instagram.
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TCB: Do you have a team or are you just solo?
SCS: Well it started off as just me and my wife, but I do have a team member. His name is Marley. Right now he’s the only team member and he’s actually a pretty good friend of mine that I’ve met through sneakers. There’s also my art guy, Tony Ross. He takes all my ideas and makes them a reality… I’ve know Tony for almost twenty years now, he is like a brother. Check out his Instagram @guerillustrator.
TCB: What aspects of the brand are your favorite?
SCS: Probably the design process. I like coming up with something that I think is cool and that other people would like. Then seeing it go from my head to a shirt is nice.
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TCB: What is your design process like?
SCS: For me I mostly try finding something from my past that I like or something that I think is kind of cool and just figuring out what shoes to go with that. I try to make sure it’s something that that I like, something that brings a smile to my face, and something I think would be cool to wear.
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TCB: What inspired your Big Boy Blue design?
SCS: That was started about 10 years ago when I found this Bob’s Big Boy restaurant shirt. It was one of my favorite shirts. Then it got ruined because I somehow got a stain on it. I just thought it would be cool to make another Big Boy shirt, but with Jordans on it. Then I also thought it would be really cool to have a Dodger themed one since I’m from LA. The Dodgers are pretty important to me and I’ve been a Dodger fan forever. I figured it would just be cool to have two things that speak Southern California come together and that’s how the Dodger Big Boy Blue design came together.
TCB: What are two things you’ve learned from your time making t-shirts?
SCS: First, it’s hard especially with companies that are hyped out. Seeing as everybody is into hype so it makes it hard for independent companies to do well, but I’m always up for the challenge. Even the big companies started small. Maybe it’s catching the right wave at the right time, but being able to adapt and change constantly is key. Shirts will always be a staple though… Second, you kind of find out who your friends are. You see who really support you and who really doesn’t.
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TCB: Are there any brands or people that you’d like to collab with?
SCS: Wow, there’s so many dope artists out there who make so many cool things that I see who I would love to do some kind of collab with. It would be hard to just pick out one right now, but I do have some things in the works with some people so look out for that.
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TCB: Where do you see SoCalSole two years from now?
SCS: Hopefully in more stores and then maybe moving into other things outside of t-shirts. Probably some sweatshirts, pants, or something like that. Mainly I want to be in more stores throughout the United States, maybe even internationally.
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TCS: Is there anything else you want people to know about you?
SCS: I appreciate the journey so far and the people that have worked with me or helped me out in some way. This has been a fun ride and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.
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TCB: Is there anything you’d like to announce or anyone you would like to shout out?
SCS: Just be on the lookout for a lot of new fresh ideas that I have coming. I have some twists on other shirts that are already out, long sleeves, and hoodies coming out this Fall. Maybe some hats as well. I’d like to give a special shout out to Reload LA for giving me a base and an outlet for my ideas. Also everybody else that supports me and hits me about shirts or sends me pictures in the shirts. I appreciate it, all of you guys are part of my extended family.
Make sure you go check out Scott’s page and stay tuned for new designs from him!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socalsole24/
The Curator 
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