Johnny Mak is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of KICKS CREW, a global e-commerce platform specializing in athletic footwear and sneaker resale. Since founding the company in 2008, he has led its development from an early sneaker resale operation into a rapidly expanding, technology-driven marketplace headquartered in New York City. Mak operates with over 500 professional connections on LinkedIn, reflecting a significant network within the sneaker and ecommerce industries.
Professional Background and Business Overview
- Company: KICKS CREW
- Industry: Retail / E-commerce (Sneakers and Athletic Footwear)
- Location: New York, USA
- Role: Founder & CEO (2008–Present)
- Company Size: Small executive team, including COO Ross Adrian Yip (joined 2021) and a handful of other leadership roles
Johnny Mak established KICKS CREW with a vision to create a community-first, global sneaker resale marketplace emphasizing athlete partnerships and digital innovation. The brand is recognized for its strong presence in both US and Asian markets, notably facilitating accessibility to rare and coveted footwear across geographies.
Key Milestones and Funding
- KICKS CREW successfully raised $6 million in Series A funding in March 2022, a round reportedly led by prominent investors aimed at fueling digital expansion and operational scaling.
- The company pivoted from a traditional retail and supply model towards a marketplace business model, broadening inventory sources including international suppliers.
- Under Mak’s leadership, KICKS CREW has nurtured partnerships with notable athletes including NBA Hall of Famer and 3x NBA Champion Dwyane Wade (announced June 2024), aligning the brand with mainstream sports icons to enhance credibility and market reach.
- The platform leverages enterprise-level technology solutions to optimize user experience and inventory management, positioning itself competitively among global sneaker resale platforms.
Professional Experience and Competencies
- Johnny Mak began his entrepreneurial journey at a young age, starting sneaker resale at 17, initially focusing on US and China markets.
- Over 15+ years of experience in sneaker resale and ecommerce, demonstrating long-term market insight and operational adaptability.
- His background reflects strong leadership in building cross-border digital marketplaces and brand positioning in niche fashion and sports sectors.
- Mak actively engages on social media (Instagram: @johnny.mak_) to promote company initiatives, app launches, and brand storytelling, revealing a hands-on approach to marketing and community engagement.
Company Reputation and Employee Insights
- KICKS CREW holds a moderate employee rating around 3.2/5 on Glassdoor, with mixed reviews regarding company culture and management, highlighting areas for internal organizational improvements under Mak’s leadership.
- Despite internal challenges, the company continues to expand, suggesting ongoing strategic focus on growth and market penetration.
Contact Information
- Email: jm@kickscrew.com / i-kix@hotmail.com
- Phone: +1 949 196 19 (full number incomplete from source)
- LinkedIn: [Johnny Mak Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-mak-58810730)
- Instagram: [@johnny.mak_](https://www.instagram.com/johnny.mak_/?hl=en)
Johnny Mak’s profile presents a highly entrepreneurial and visionary leader at the helm of a fast-growing global sneaker resale platform. His deep industry experience, strategic capital fundraising, and prominent athlete collaborations underscore KICKS CREW’s positioning as a key player in the digital footwear marketplace. This profile suggests strong potential for business opportunities involving innovation-driven ecommerce solutions, particularly in aesthetics-driven, community-centric consumer goods sectors.
