The Inspiring Journey Of Jaysse Lopez: From Homelessness To Sneaker Empire

The whole sneaker buying/collecting world is huge. In the neighborhood I live in, people line up for many blocks to get the latest release from Nike and other brands. They sleep overnight on the sidewalk to be first in line. It is officially a thing. They are sneakerheads and it is a multi-billion dollar industry. Jaysse Lopez is the king of the sneakerheads, especially in the sneaker resale industry, which analysts predict will be a $6 billion industry by 2025.

Jaysse Lopez's Urban Necessities has two physical stores and a website, bringing in nearly $21 million in sales last year. But it’s more than just a business for Lopez – he’s living the sneakerhead’s dream – attending trade shows, meeting fellow sneakerheads in the resale business, and enjoying the profits with his wife and co-owner, Joanie. However, this journey wasn’t easy. Lopez had to work his way up from the literal streets to become the millionaire businessman he is today.

Before he found success with Urban Necessities, Lopez faced significant challenges, including homelessness in Las Vegas. He panhandled on the Strip and faced many low points, living in a motel, on a friend's couch, and even selling his own clothes to survive. Lopez's story serves as a powerful inspiration for other sneaker resellers looking to break into the market.

Table of Contents

• Biography of Jaysse Lopez
• The Sneaker Journey
• Growth of Urban Necessities
• Lessons Learned from Jaysse Lopez
• Final Thoughts

Biography of Jaysse Lopez

The Sneaker Journey

In 2000, Lopez moved from his home in New Jersey to Las Vegas, where he initially faced homelessness. He supplemented his income by panhandling and even selling water on the Strip. His introduction to sneaker reselling came when he observed people lining up for sneaker releases at local malls. This sparked his interest and led him to study the market closely.

After landing a job with a cell phone company, Lopez started to stabilize his life. However, in 2012, illness forced him to leave that job. During this difficult period, he met Joanie Barangan, who would later become his partner in both life and business. Together, they decided to venture into sneaker reselling, marking a significant turn in their lives.

Growth of Urban Necessities

In early 2013, Lopez identified the Nike Barkley Posite Max Area 72 as a promising sneaker for resale. With Joanie's assistance, he purchased 18 pairs upon release and successfully sold them for $200 above cost. This success encouraged Lopez to take the sneaker resale market seriously, leading to the launch of his website, Two Js Kicks, where he began accepting pre-orders for popular sneaker releases.

Lopez faced another setback six months into his sneaker reselling career when he and Joanie broke up. He moved into a motel and sold clothes to make ends meet. However, he strategically collected consigned sneakers from former buyers and sold 400 pairs at a trade show in 2014. This pivotal moment was crucial in securing a lease for his first store in Las Vegas, which opened in September 2014 and quickly became successful, generating $1 million in sales within four months.

Lessons Learned from Jaysse Lopez

Lopez's journey is an incredible testament to resilience and determination. His ability to turn adversity into opportunity is a key lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs. By building relationships with store managers and understanding market trends, he positioned himself strategically in the sneaker resale industry.

His story also emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities and adapting to challenges. Whether it was pivoting from homelessness to business ownership or navigating personal changes, Lopez proved that success comes from hard work and dedication. His experience serves as a powerful reminder that even from the toughest beginnings, one can rise to great heights.

Final Thoughts

Jaysse Lopez's journey from homelessness to establishing Urban Necessities is an inspiring narrative that highlights the power of resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. His story not only sheds light on the booming sneaker resale industry but also serves as motivation for anyone facing challenges in their pursuit of a dream. Through hard work and commitment to quality, Lopez has set a standard in the sneaker community, and his aspirations for Urban Necessities to become a $500 million business shows that with vision and perseverance, anything is possible!