Holeys
Encyclopedia
Holeys is a privately held Canadian company that manufactures and distributes injection foam molded footwear and other lifestyle products made from ethylene-vinyl acetate
, a technically advanced, closed cell polymer. Holeys was named the #1 Fastest Growing Company in Canada by the Profit
Hot 50 list for 2006, with a two year growth of 6,500%. Joyce Groote, CEO & President, was a finalist in the 2007 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and has been profiled in numerous business journals for her success in growing the business to an international level.
, Canada. In early 2004, Groote was approached to help grow the company to the next stage. Groote, a former geneticist, had moved to Vancouver to work with small start up companies in the life science sector. She saw a strong potential for growth in Holeys and became a partner and an Angel Investor. In late 2004, she purchased the company. At this time, Holeys had annual revenues of just under $60,000. The company has since grown exponentially to become a multi-million dollar company that sells their shoes in more than 40 countries worldwide.
to provide 100,000 pairs of shoes worldwide to people in need. This was the largest single donation in history for Soles4Souls
. Holeys has also donated funds to aid the victims of the Dec. 24, 2004 tsunami in Thailand, and most recently donated 260,000 worth of shoes to those affected by Hurricane Katrina
in the United States of America. In addition to their international humanitarian efforts, Holeys contributes to North American children's charities including First Steps Canada.
Ethylene-vinyl acetate
Ethylene vinyl acetate is the copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. The weight percent vinyl acetate usually varies from 10 to 40%, with the remainder being ethylene....
, a technically advanced, closed cell polymer. Holeys was named the #1 Fastest Growing Company in Canada by the Profit
Profit (magazine)
Profit is a Canadian business magazine aimed at entrepreneurs. It is published six times per year and, according to its website, focusses on "how to find opportunity and seize it", management practices, case studies and "access to peer groups"....
Hot 50 list for 2006, with a two year growth of 6,500%. Joyce Groote, CEO & President, was a finalist in the 2007 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and has been profiled in numerous business journals for her success in growing the business to an international level.
Company history
Holeys began as a small company operating out of a residential garage in Vancouver in 2002. The company was started by Groote’s neighbour, a serial entrepreneur who successfully introduced the original foam shoes into VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Canada. In early 2004, Groote was approached to help grow the company to the next stage. Groote, a former geneticist, had moved to Vancouver to work with small start up companies in the life science sector. She saw a strong potential for growth in Holeys and became a partner and an Angel Investor. In late 2004, she purchased the company. At this time, Holeys had annual revenues of just under $60,000. The company has since grown exponentially to become a multi-million dollar company that sells their shoes in more than 40 countries worldwide.
Charitable Donations
Holeys has become known for its donations to charitable organizations around the world. In 2007, Holeys partnered with Soles4SoulsSoles4Souls
Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and runs shoe drives to collect donations from communities across the United States. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or...
to provide 100,000 pairs of shoes worldwide to people in need. This was the largest single donation in history for Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls is a Nashville-based charity that collects shoes from the warehouses of footwear companies and runs shoe drives to collect donations from communities across the United States. The charity distributes these shoes free of charge to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or...
. Holeys has also donated funds to aid the victims of the Dec. 24, 2004 tsunami in Thailand, and most recently donated 260,000 worth of shoes to those affected by Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
in the United States of America. In addition to their international humanitarian efforts, Holeys contributes to North American children's charities including First Steps Canada.