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Leon Footwear

Leon Footwear is ushering in a new era of quality leather footwear. Crafted for comfort and handsewn with love. Designed in Michigan, Made in Mexico.
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https://leonfootwear.com/
About this idea
Leon is a premium footwear and leather goods company based in West Michigan, supported by a hyper-local supply chain in León, Mexico, the leather and footwear capital of North America. We bridge timeless craftsmanship with modern accessibility, offering high-quality leather footwear at an accessible price point, while reviving a dying art: genuine handsewn leather shoes. The problem we see is two-fold: the market is crowded with fast-fashion footwear that sacrifices durability and comfort, and ultra-premium brands that remain out of reach for most consumers. Leon is carving out the middle ground, delivering luxury-level craftsmanship, story-led branding, and sustainable sourcing without the luxury price tag. Our supply chain is one of our biggest advantages. With 100% of production and sourcing happening within a 30-mile radius in León, we reduce our carbon footprint, increase speed to market, and avoid many of the pitfalls that make footwear notoriously complex to scale. This model is also fully USMCA-compliant, a critical strength given today’s unstable global trade environment. Designed in Michigan, made in Mexico, Leon leverages the advantages of a North American infrastructure at a time when resilience matters most. But when it comes down to it, we really just make dope shit. Footwear is ultimately just a vehicle to tell a bigger story.
Impact
We are contributing to Michigan’s economy in a scalable fashion. Our footprint spans the state, from New Buffalo to Mackinac Island, through 12 retail partners and our flagship storefront in Saugatuck. By collaborating with independent retailers and drawing consumer traffic to Michigan’s coastal small business communities, we’re not only growing our brand but also helping strengthen the state’s broader small business ecosystem. Our long-term vision goes beyond our own company. We see West Michigan emerging as a national footwear hub, much like Portland, OR or Boston, MA. The region has a deep bench of talent thanks to Wolverine Worldwide, a proven track record in consumer products (commercial furniture), and the entrepreneurial energy to attract new startups and investment. We believe footwear can be the next pillar in solidifying Michigan’s role as a leader in product innovation.
What I'll do with $5,000
The funds would be used to scale a proven foundation. Specifically, the investment would accelerate our direct-to-consumer growth at a critical moment: the upcoming holiday season. More simply put, we would take that 5k and roll it directly into the outstanding 50% owed upon delivery of our holiday inventory PO.
Quick Bio
Leon Footwear was founded by Gavin Midlam and Casey Rutledge, two Michigan natives committed to building a brand rooted in craftsmanship and community. Gavin has over a decade of experience in global
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