Elite Feet Named 2021 Edge Grant Winners

Like most business owners in 2020, Jason and Joy Hunt faced the pandemic with hesitation – was it possible to keep the doors open? Was it worth it? To their small team at  Elite Feet in Middletown, the answer had to be a resounding “yes”.

Having founded Elite Feet to support customers pursuing an active and healthy lifestyle, their team is trained to not only provide the right shoe for adults and growing kids, but to spend time analyzing the activity type, level, and physical needs of each and every person in their store. It is not uncommon to see a sales rep and client active on the floor, learning about their own gait, testing out different styles and fits of a shoe, and landing on something that will best support that person individually.

Adapting to occupancy rules, health precautions, staffing changes, and an ever-shifting consumer landscape, they jumped into action – don’t worry, they were in the proper supportive footwear for outrunning the competition! Their shop shifted to appointment-only service and allowed single-household families to come for multiple-person fittings at the same time. Jason felt that after a fitting with him, consumers were more likely to make a purchase than when they might have casually strolled in the doors. This adaptation to appointments and regimented scheduling system actually drove up sales rates at their store – with consistent client visits scheduled back-to-back, and budgeted time to clean and reset the store, and Elite Feet continues to see success during a worldwide shift.

With the help of the Delaware SBDC, their store was successful in the pursuit of an EDGE Grant, allowing them to continue their growth and success going forward. Their Mobile Running Store is an exciting way to get out into the community for sports events, and they strive to support community-based initiatives to donate shoes, haircuts, and more to their neighbors in Middletown. Their commitment to the community is what really sets this business apart from any larger commercial athletics store – they’re Delaware-based, Delaware-raised, and Joy is even a University of Delaware grad!

If you need help with your business plan, adapting to pandemic conditions, or an EDGE Grant application, speak with your advisor or request FREE advising through the Delaware SBDC today!