- Business
- Grounded People Apparel Inc. (CSE: SHOE) is a Canada-based apparel company primarily engaged in the design, production and sale of fair trade, sustainable and earth-conscious vegan footwear. The company offers high-top and low-cut canvas sneakers, including collections such as Spring/Summer (featuring models like Lee, Oli and Mika), São Paulo (including Jundiai, Matao, Franca and Campinas) and All SZN Boots (such as Sky, Jude and Billie); these products utilize ethically sourced materials like organic cotton, linen, natural rubber, cruelty-free suede alternatives and vegan leather from Spain, crafted with artisan techniques including hand weaving, hand-knitting, hand embroidery and hand block printing. Grounded People Apparel operates direct-to-consumer through its website with free shipping across the United States and Canada on orders over $99, as well as through select local retailers, targeting eco-conscious consumers in the United States, Canada and internationally; it also supports its L.A.C.E.S. (Learn to Achieve and Create Everlasting Sustainability) campaign, enabling customers to select charity-specific shoelaces. Founded in 2020 and headquartered at Suite 800, 1199 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3T5, Canada, the company changed its name from Grounded Clothing Inc. in June 2021 and listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under SHOE in October 2022; it incorporated Grounded People Apparel (US) SPC in Washington state in September 2021 to facilitate U.S. operations. Recent developments include a strategic capital investment of $100,000 from Right Season Investments Corp. in August 2024 via a private placement of 166,667 units, increasing the investor's stake to approximately 20.28% of common shares (or 33.72% on a partially diluted basis), alongside private placements in the 2025 fiscal year to fund brand relaunch efforts and expanded sales activities amid lower volumes in 2024.