Entrepreneurship is thriving in the Mount Pleasant community. Shopping at small local businesses can be a motivator for anyone who wants to become an entrepreneur or own a business. Lucas Taylor, owner of Kick It Kicks in Mount Pleasant, has had just that experience.
Taylor is a graduate of Philip Simmons High School on Clements Ferry Road, and his parents are also business owners. His mother runs a hair salon while his father owns a painting company in the area.
“I’m 19 years old. My parents both own their own businesses and I didn’t want to go to college. My family and I were in LA shopping in boutiques and my mom came up with the idea. I was so excited,” Taylor said.
Soon after, Kick It Kicks was born. With a Melrose Avenue boutique vibe that would bring any sneaker fan to their knees, the store buys, sells and trades new and used sneakers, skateboards, apparel and designer clothing for men, women and children.
Kick It Kicks offers a wide selection of sneakers from Nike Air Jordans, Adidas Yeezy and Off-White to Travis Scott. You can walk away with clean, stylish kicks that are made for “The Gram” (Instagram). The clothing brands they offer include A Bathing Ape, Supreme, Essentials, Spider, Denim Tears and Gallery Dept – high-quality clothing that will elevate your wardrobe. Looking for luxury but don’t want to drive downtown to buy it? No problem. They also carry luxury clothing and goods.
“People bring in their Jordans or Louis Vuitton collection and we buy them,” Taylor said. “They can either pay cash or a store credit.”
Entrepreneurship is when a person who has a business idea turns it into a reality. Often it involves disrupting the current market with a new product or service. It starts with an idea, a goal and passion and gradually grows into something bigger. That’s exactly what Taylor is doing.
“Take the risk,” Taylor added. “There’s no point not doing it. You won’t know unless you take the risk of opening your business.”
What Taylor enjoys most about owning his own business is that he can make all the decisions himself. This empowers him, builds his confidence and sets standards not only for himself but also for his employees and colleagues.
Taylor plans to open more stores in the future, but for now he is busy growing and perfecting his brand.
Kick It Kicks is open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. It is located off Highway 17 at 1113 Market Center Blvd. Suite A in Mount Pleasant. You can find them on Instagram at @kick.it.sneakers.
By Maurice J. Frazier
