Homegrown for Good, a startup company owned by brothers Tommy and Tim Gibb, is trying to teach veterans how to manufacture products and adapt their military-learned leadership skills to civilian managerial positions. And it is doing all this by making flip-flops.
Forbes magazine reported that the Gibb brothers, who were raised by a father previously employed by shoe companies Nine West and Marc Fisher, are no strangers to the footwear industry. After spending time working in the field themselves, both became disillusioned with rising production costs and a shift toward outsourcing labor to China. In order to stay competitive while remaining domestic, the brothers decided to create flip-flops. A popular product that can also be manufactured inexpensively, it seemed like the perfect solution to their issues.
After pooling their savings, establishing investors and taking out loans for the most cutting-edge technology on the market, the Gibbs opened their factory, which Forbes described as being more like an experimental laboratory, in New Rochelle, New York. As they were getting things off the ground, Tommy learned about Heroes in Transition, an organization that helps raise funds for veterans of recent wars. The organization works with those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan to help them get necessary home modifications for their disabilities, find local therapy for mental health issues, get paired with service dogs or simply help them support their families.
Inspired by the group's mission, the brothers decided to start a veteran hiring initiative. Not only are they looking to employ soldiers in their life after service, but they are also looking to implement specific job training programs that would give these servicemembers managerial experience. Forbes explained that the Gibbs will have five vets working at Homegrown for Good by next month.