This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2009, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Like most other kids, Bret Rasmussen dreamed about building backyard forts and maybe owning a business one day. But Rasumussen also found himself searching out and studying shoe catalogs.
"I guess I've had a passion for footwear since the 5th grade. I'd sketch shoes I liked in catalogs," he said.
Rasmussen, a Salt Lake resident and Brigham Young University business finance graduate, is now producing shoes for catalog sales.
The Noblesville, Ind., native combined his passion for shoes and the dream of owning his own business by starting the Kuru shoe company. The first shoes came off the production line in the fall of 2008.
"They always say you try to do stuff like this when you are young and stupid because you don't know any better," Rasmussen said after attending the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market tradeshow at the Salt Palace Convention Center. "We are getting there. This economy isn't really fun. Retailers are holding back, but we had a good shoe with a lot of interest."
After careful consideration of more than 50 names, he chose Kuru for several reasons.
According to Rasmussen, it is slang in Japanese for "cool, hip, fashionable and stylish." It's also the name of a region in Finland known for eco-tourism and nature conservation.
There are currently six Kuru lines, five with men's and women's models and one for women only. Prices range from $80 to $115. Two more models will hit the shelves this spring. In Utah, the Kuru line is currently available only at Good Feet, 4846 S. Highland Drive in Salt Lake City.
Rasmussen is proud of the Kuru brand. He says the shoes combine clean design, outdoor inspiration, solid value, longevity and versatility.
"I like the trail sneaker label. You can wear them with slacks, but they also perform on the trail," he said.
Designing a shoe comfortable enough for any activity was the most important goal when Rasmussen sat down to design his dream shoe.
"No one else in the industry offers the KuruSole midsole chassis we have," Rasmussen said. "Each layer is shaped like your foot with high quality support. I hear from a lot of people who have Kurus saying they are the most comfortable shoes they own."
Rasmussen has filed for a patent on the KuruSole.
With the Kuru collection growing and distribution increasing, Rasmussen is patiently waiting for the next major step.
"We will just keep trying to grow the brand in light of the economy and try to get the shoes into more and more outdoors and shoe stores," he said. "Maybe one day I'll get bought out."