Hippy Feet: Making a Difference One Pair of Socks at a Time

Article by Claudia Kittock

Michael Mader is extraordinary.  He graduated from college in June of 2016, began a new company in September, and by the end of 2016 had manufactured and distributed over 3000 pairs of high quality socks, half of those going to people who are experiencing homelessness. How did this happen? The sequence of events leading up to this point in time are even more extraordinary.

Michael has always been known for his long hair, colorful attire, and even more colorful socks. He loved to ride his longboard, and during one such outing in the summer of 2015, took a horrendous fall that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Michael needed to take a full semester off from college due to the seriousness of his injury. During that semester, Michael was limited to long, slow walks, and endless hours of resting while watching TV.

One day, while impatiently waiting for his injury to heal, Michael watched an ad for Salvation Army that explained how socks are the most requested, but least donated, clothing item to shelters for people experiencing homelessness. Michael immediately realized he could do something about it.

Michael (left) talks with a homeless man.

When he returned to college in January of 2016, he told his advisor that he wanted to finish all 30 credits that he needed to graduate, and he wanted to finish them in one semester. Michael also told his advisor that he planned to start a company that made socks, and for every pair of socks he sold, he would donate one to a shelter for people experiencing homeless. His advisor explained that this couldn’t be done in one semester, and while it was a worthwhile idea, was a long shot. So, Michael walked down the hallway and knocked on a different professor’s door.  She heard him out, and said, “Let’s do it!”

The first step was to enter college competitions. Michael entered his business plan in his college competition. He came in second out of 2 submissions, but finishing second meant he could now submit it to the statewide competition. At the state level, Michael was able to place 1st, which qualified him for the national competition and he received a $25,000 prize to begin his business. AND he finished 30 credits (a full year of full time work) in one semester!  

When I asked him "Why homelessness?"
he responded, "Why not?  We should
all be concerned!”

Michael graduated in June of 2016, moved to Minneapolis and promptly went to work on creating Hippy Feet. He lives with 2 roommates and his 2 cats, and does all of his work in his apartment. The socks, made from recycled material, are manufactured in North Carolina and then sent to a company in Green Bay to be embroidered. They are then shipped to Michael’s apartment where he ties each in recycled twine, attaches a recycled tag with an explanation of Hippy Feet and sends them to customers.  By the end of 2016, Michael had sold 1500 pairs of socks and distributed another 1500 to people at YouthLink, Listening House, and Women’s Advocates of St. Paul.

Their mission is: “Hippy Feet is a social organization dedicated to serving the homeless community. Socks are among the most requested items at homeless shelters and are crucial to the overall wellbeing of someone facing homelessness. This need, among other hardships faced by the homeless, is one we aim to address. For every pair of socks sold, another will be donated to a homeless shelter. Not only are we passionate about giving back to those in need, but we also strongly believe in preserving our environment and supporting our local economy. Each pair of socks is constructed of environmentally friendly materials and made in the USA.”

Hippy Feet was at Holidazzle, and will be at Red Bull Crashed Ice on February 4. Michael has also organized volunteers to walk the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul handing out socks to people who appear to be in need.  He hopes to continue to create more volunteer opportunities for people to do more outreach this summer.

Michael has also dedicated his business to hiring people who are transitioning from homelessness.  He is in the process of applying for 501©3 status, and when that is granted he'll be able to expand his plan and provide further employment opportunity to the homeless community.

This is truly an extraordinary young man, with an exciting business. I bought 5 pairs to give out as Christmas gifts, and I can attest to the quality of these socks. It’s impossible to meet Michael and not be excited about what he is doing.  When I asked him "Why homelessness?"’ he responded "Why not?  We should all be concerned!”

How can you help this exciting business? There are a number of ways:

• Visit his website at https://hippyfeet.co/.
• Follow Hippy Feet on Facebook and Instagram (@hippyfeetsocks).
• Buy socks!
• Contact Michael at michael@hippyfeet.co with questions, comments, and ideas to help him expand his business.
• Stay tuned for additional volunteer opportunities!

Claudia can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org