Since we're a brand new company, we thought it only fair that we introduce ourselves and share a little bit about how Hooray came into existence. So, sit back, relax, and join us on this adventure through time...
Hooray founders Hongsun and Tim in San Francisco, 2018
Back in the summer of 2017, Hongsun and I were pondering ways to utilize our design experience while making the most of the incredible tools the internet had to offer. Living in San Francisco and having dabbled in the tech scene (not at the bigwig level, mind you), we recognized how accessible starting a business had become. Thanks to services like LegalZoom, Namecheap, Shopify, and MailChimp, the playing field had leveled. Simultaneously, the retail landscape was evolving, and we knew we wanted to be part of this exciting shift.
Years ago, I had launched a small design agency, so I had some know-how about setting up and running a company. However, this time, we yearned to create a tangible product, not just offer services. We wanted the freedom to operate beyond the confines of a specific location or time zone. We aspired to be a global brand, all while satisfying our love for travel. These ambitions are far from unique, but we genuinely believed we could make them a reality if we simply took that initial leap.
The next puzzle piece was finding the right product to design. We craved something that would bring joy and confidence to people's lives, something universally needed and used. One morning, during an ordinary shower, it hit me – socks!
Socks may appear trivial, but the right pair can genuinely brighten your day!
I'd been a fan of colorful, playful socks for years. As someone who tends to dress rather conservatively, these vibrant socks allowed me to express my creative side. Plus, according to my highly unscientific research, practically everyone on the planet wears socks. That's a pretty compelling reason!
Then came the quest for a name that captured the excitement of sporting eye-catching, fun footwear. We brainstormed, generated lists, and checked for available domain names until we struck gold – "Hooray." An exclamation of joy and approval, it felt like the perfect fit. And with that, we were off to the races.
In April 2018, after months of learning the ropes and reviewing countless samples, we proudly unveiled our new site (hooraysocks.com) along with our debut sock collection. We know that we have plenty to learn, but our compass remains pointed toward our original goal – bringing a little exuberance into people's lives, one sock at a time.
