1. What was your inspiration to start KicksbyMattie and how did you get into the world of sneakers?

My passion for sneakers began in 2018. At the time, you increasingly saw people, including influencers, wearing Yeezys. The hype had been growing for a while, and the more I saw them, the more I wanted a pair of Yeezys myself. That’s when I started researching: how can you get such an exclusive pair of sneakers at an affordable price? However, it turned out to be quite a challenge.

Matthias at a Sneaker Convention

At one point, Adidas announced a restock of the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebra. I still remember that day well. I was ready with multiple devices to seize my chance, and yes, I succeeded! The moment I held the sneakers in my hands was amazing, but it also got me thinking. I realized that the demand for such exclusive sneakers far exceeded the supply.

From that moment on, I delved deeper into the process of sneaker releases. I started buying Yeezys more frequently during releases, not just for myself but also to help friends and people in my network who didn’t know how to get their hands on these sneakers.

It wasn’t until 2021 that the penny really dropped. That’s when I seriously started studying the sneaker world. I researched the market, trends, risks, and the dynamics of supply and demand. That was the moment I began to see opportunities to turn my passion into a business.

2. What trends do you currently see in the sneaker market, and how do you adapt to them with KicksbyMattie?

Over the past few years, I’ve seen the market shift regularly. When I started analyzing the sneaker market more seriously in 2021 and offering products, models like the Air Jordan 1, Nike Dunk, and Pharrell x Adidas NMD were hugely popular. What I learned during that time is that trends naturally don’t last forever. Media, influencers, and pop culture play a big role in determining which sneakers are in demand.

The demand for models like the Nike Dunk and Air Jordan 1 has significantly decreased recently. But as one trend fades, space opens up for new models. Right now, for example, there’s a strong rise in popularity for brands and models like Asics and the New Balance 9060. These sneakers appeal to a different style and audience, showing how diverse the market can be.

At KicksbyMattie, I always try to respond quickly to new trends. If I notice a particular brand or model becoming more popular, I make sure to offer those sneakers as soon as possible. Often, I notice this not only through market developments but also by listening to what my customers are asking for. If I see people increasingly asking for specific models, I know it’s time to act. By staying agile and listening to my customers, I remain relevant in a constantly changing market.

3. What are the biggest challenges you face in the sneaker resale market?

The biggest challenge in the resale market is the market’s instability. As a reseller, you’re highly dependent on what the major brands like Nike, Adidas, en New Balance do. A good example is the Nike Dunk. This model was extremely popular for a while, but at some point, Nike began producing and releasing so many Dunks that the supply skyrocketed. This caused the exclusive feeling consumers had about these sneakers to disappear, and demand quickly dropped.

This is risky for resellers because you run the risk of being stuck with inventory of sneakers whose demand and market price have significantly declined. It requires constant alertness and flexibility. It’s essential to keep a close eye on trends and manufacturer announcements so you can adapt in time.

Preparing for shipment

4. How do you ensure the sneakers you sell are authentic and meet your customers’ expectations?

I’ve built a strong network of reliable suppliers with whom I’ve worked for a long time. These suppliers consistently deliver quality, so I can trust them. Every order is manually inspected to verify that the sneakers are 100% authentic and brand new before they are packed and shipped.

However, I understand that a correct delivery doesn’t automatically equal a satisfied customer. Sometimes, for instance, the color may differ from what was expected, or the size might not fit. That’s why our customer service is always available on weekdays to assist customers after their purchase. We ensure that every question or complaint is answered within 24 hours and actively think of solutions, such as advice on the correct size or a possible exchange.

What personally motivates me is when customers I’ve helped return and give positive feedback.

5. How significant is the role of hype in the popularity of sneakers, and how does it influence your strategy at KicksbyMattie?

The role of hype is incredibly important for KicksbyMattie. I always respond to hypes because that’s where the highest demand comes from, and it’s where we have the most potential to make our customers happy. As soon as I spot new hypes emerging, we quickly test the waters with smaller quantities from our suppliers. If certain models perform well, we expand our offering further—for example, by adding more colors or larger quantities.

I always strive to have sufficient stock of models that are in high demand. It would be a shame if loyal customers wanted to shop the latest trends with us only to find out we’re sold out of popular models. Luckily, this rarely happens. If it does happen that a customer is looking for a model that’s temporarily out of stock, I can often arrange it through our network. This way, we’ve made many customers happy.

6. What are your goals and ambitions for KicksbyMattie, and how do you hope to achieve them?

At the moment, we offer a very wide range through WOOVIN, something I’m proud of. The collaboration with WOOVIN is excellent, and together we ensure that many happy customers receive the latest sneakers. Our goal is to make even more customers happy with sneakers in the future.

Right now, KicksbyMattie primarily focuses on sneakers up to €350, but in the short term, we want to expand our range to include higher-end models, such as the Air Jordan 1 Low x Travis Scott.

Additionally, I’m exploring the option of offering our products in collaboration with physical stores. This idea is still in the early stages and needs further development. For now, however, the focus is entirely on our online offering, combined with excellent customer service.

In the long term, I aim to set up my own webshop. This would allow us to serve our customers even better and consistently offer the most competitive prices, along with top-notch service.

The popular model: New Balance 9060

7. What does the ideal future of KicksbyMattie look like?

The ideal future for KicksbyMattie looks very promising. I partly answered this in the previous question, but we want to be known for our competitive prices combined with excellent customer service.

In the future, we will not only have an extensive range on the WOOVIN platform but also our own fully functional webshop that looks polished and professional.

Additionally, we aim to offer our assortment through physical stores in the Netherlands, allowing us to reach even more customers. The goal is to position KicksbyMattie as a reliable and leading player in the sneaker industry, both online and offline.

We also want to establish ourselves as a trusted partner for stores by forming collaborations that make our products available in physical stores. This way, we can serve our customers in multiple ways and further expand the KicksbyMattie experience.

8. What projects does KicksbyMattie have in the pipeline that we can expect soon?

The future I envision has been partly mentioned earlier. The changes we expect in the short term will primarily focus on our offerings. The Christmas rush is just behind us, and I’m currently focusing on analyzing the market as it stands now. Our goal is to have optimal stock by spring, so we’re well-prepared for the rising demand.

I often notice that as soon as the spring weather arrives, the demand for new sneakers increases. And it’s understandable—it’s great to wear your new sneakers in the sunshine! We’re confident that we’ll be well-positioned to meet this demand.