Goshen students open shoe business

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GOSHEN, Ind.—A shift in trends led two Goshen College senior business majors toward a custom shoe and apparel design business that culminated in the conception of Springer Design, Inc. Mark Springer and Tyler Springer received an entrepreneurship grant of $5,000 last December to help get their customizing shoe business kicking as a result of their innovative idea.



Goshen (Ind.) College students Tyler Springer (left) and Mark Springer (not related) receive an entrepreneurship grant from the Entrepreneurship Learning Center for their customized shoe and apparel business. Photo by Emily Dougherty.

Although unrelated, the two took their same last name as a sign to combine their talents and produce a screen-printing, embroidery and logo development company and begin specializing in custom, intricately designed shoes.

The Springers were aided by an entrepreneurship grant from the Goshen College Business Department’s Entrepreneurship Learning Center, which encourages students to start their own businesses and is intended to keep Indiana college graduates in the state.

Their plan hatched after the two classmates had a lunchtime epiphany and discovered their similar aspirations and complementary interests. Mark, from Stanford, Ill., had hoped to start his own design business but wasn’t as comfortable with the management and sales responsibilities. Tyler, a native of Carlisle, Pa., had plans to start his own screen-printing and embroidery business, but the artwork associated with it was a deterrent.

According to Tyler, by the end of their meal it was clear they ought to combine their talents and start a company.—Goshen College

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