KINDLLEKICKS

Building and scaling my first business from the ground up

KINDLLEKICKS began as a sneaker reselling hustle and grew into a multi six figure e commerce business spanning multiple categories and storefronts, all before I turned 20.

What is KINDLLEKICKS?

KINDLLEKICKS is the first business I founded and scaled from scratch. It began with reselling sneakers and evolved into a full e-commerce operation offering products in electronics, home appliances, tools, and more.

I expanded to multiple platforms including Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and other online marketplaces. I taught myself how to source products, market listings, manage fulfillment, and handle platform operations, all while balancing school and building the business independently.

How It All Began

In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I was 17 and had just lost my high school job at Chuck E. Cheese. With the world on pause, I wanted to stay productive and find a new way to generate income.

That's when I discovered sneaker reselling. I started with limited inventory and no formal training, just persistence and a desire to learn. Over time, by networking, researching, and taking risks, I was able to scale far beyond sneakers. Within one year, I had grown KINDLLEKICKS into a multi six-figure business built entirely online.

Skills I've Gained

Building and Managing Teams

To support the business, I hired locally for inventory logistics and built a remote team in Pakistan to help with product sourcing. These experiences taught me how to lead across time zones, give clear direction, and build accountability. I learned how to delegate, manage performance, and operate like a cross-functional team.

Building Relationships

Relationships were the foundation of my success. I built strong ties with suppliers, stayed in touch with customers, and learned from fellow business owners. Trust and clear communication helped me scale faster and stand out in competitive marketplaces.

Operations & Logistics

I managed end-to-end fulfillment, tracked inventory across platforms, and handled return policies, product launches, and shipping workflows. This taught me how to optimize systems and move fast without missing key details.

Customer-Centric Thinking

I handled buyer questions, feedback, returns, and disputes directly across every platform. This taught me how to listen to customers, solve problems quickly, and adapt listings or sourcing strategies based on their needs. Being hands-on with customer interactions helped me build trust, reduce issues, and improve repeat sales. These experiences shaped how I approach business decisions with real people in mind.

E-Commerce Strategy

I tracked market trends, tested new product categories, and managed pricing to maximize profit. I learned how to make data-informed decisions and adapt quickly, similar to how product teams test features and iterate based on results.

KINDLLEKICKS by the Numbers

$600K+ in total revenue

1,000+ orders fulfilled

5+ online marketplaces

25+ product categories tested

3 team members across 2 countries

Sneaker inventory collection
Shipping fulfillment operation
Product inventory boxes
Home appliances inventory
Room filled with PS5 console inventory showing business scale

What I Learned

Starting KINDLLEKICKS at 17 pushed me to become resourceful, disciplined, and relentless in the face of uncertainty. With no roadmap or outside funding, I had to figure things out through trial and error. From sourcing and fulfillment to hiring, marketing, and scaling operations, I learned that taking action matters more than waiting for perfect plans.

One of the most powerful lessons I learned was how momentum compounds. Every listing posted, every connection built, every customer served added up. Consistency and curiosity helped me keep moving forward even when things felt overwhelming.

I also learned that real growth comes from staying close to your users. Whether it was a customer inquiry, supplier negotiation, or other peoples advice, I kept listening, adapting, and improving. This mindset of being feedback-driven and solution-oriented now shapes how I build products and solve problems across any role.

KINDLLEKICKS taught me how to lead without a title, operate under pressure, and stay grounded in purpose. These lessons continue to influence how I work today.

What's Next

KINDLLEKICKS continues to run passively, but the experience shaped how I think as a builder. It introduced me to the challenges of creating value, the importance of clear communication, and the impact of staying close to the customer.

While my current focus has shifted toward product and technology, the core principles I learned through KINDLLEKICKS remain the same. I continue to approach projects by identifying gaps, validating solutions, iterating quickly, and staying focused on the people I am building for.

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