The Man Behind the Shoe

When you think of  Stikii shoes, I’m sure that the first thing to pop into your head is a vision of that cute children’s shoe with all of the wild accessories. Or perhaps you think of the cuddly mascot Chewbear. But if you are anything like I am, I’m sure you are also curious to know a bit about the person who created this one-of-a-kind footwear. Was it a man or a woman? Is he/she in his early twenties or late sixties? Do they have children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren? Have they always been interested in shoes? Well, today is your lucky day because I plan to divulge all necessary facts about this so-called “Man Behind the Shoe”.

Mr. Joe Chew, owner and sole creator of Stikii, was born in Malaysia 1968. His two brothers and one sister still reside in Malaysia and Singapore. Growing up he was always exposed to a business environment due to his family owned cosmetics company based in Asia. Business was in his blood from the beginning and influenced his decision to head to the states in pursuit of higher education. Chew attended the University of Missouri – Columbia where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Computer & Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics.  Upon graduation, he decided to stay in the United States to work in hope of someday starting his own company rather than return home to Malaysia to work for the family business like so many other relatives had done before him. He wanted to do something that was his own, to build a brand from the ground up….something worth remembering.

Joe worked as a computer engineer for OI  Subsidary for four years in Toledo, OH. In 1996 his dream finally became a reality when he started his first business, Computer Discount (www.computerdiscountinc.com) which is now the largest owned and operated computer store in Northwest Ohio. The company offers services such as the repair of computers and components, management of network infrastructure for local businesses, design and support of contemporary websites and more. In 2009, he started LAPuTOPia (www.laputopia.com), a laptop-only store specializing in repairs, sales and accessories. Chew also owns a real estate business that he began over ten years ago and has allowed him to create an impressive portfolio of properties.

Chew has 4 children of his own, two of which are still young (ages 8 and 10). He enjoys spending time with his family, swimming, traveling, and following the NBA and interior design. Actually, it was because of his two younger children that he thought of the Stikii concept along with the fact that he had always wanted to create his own brand outside of the computer industry. The idea for Stikii came to mind one day when Chew was taking his two young children shoe shopping in 2009. As they walked past the toy aisles the children displayed all the signs of joy and excitement as they pleaded to check out the newest gadgets. However, as soon as they arrived at the shoe aisle, the joy and excitement completely vanished and they showed little interest in the selection process. The kids relied on Joe to select what shoes they liked and the shopping trip ultimately became a chore. Joe noticed that other children in these aisles were reacting in a similar manner. And that is when it hit him! Why couldn’t he put the fun factor into the shoe buying experience and make it enjoyable for both parents and children? And that was when the Stikii idea was born.

Since this epiphany, Chew has put his heart and soul into developing the Stikii brand. He now owns the Stikii patent and copyright and currently leads a team of over 30 employees, contractors and consultants. He also belongs to EO, entrepreneur Organization – Detroit Chapter, a worldwide business organization that has helped him to further develop his business processes, mission and values. In the future, Chew hopes to take his business to another level. Computer Discount is nearly operating on autopilot and one day will be 99% autopilot. Stikii is his main focus now and he is committed and ready to execute the launch of the unique products. He wants to make Stikii a household name some day which he plans to accomplish by starting small in Toledo and moving on to a national then international platforms soon after. Chew would rather take a risk and fail than not try something, and this is a mantra he has lived by all of his life.  And with Stikii, failure is of no concern or expectation.  Stikii will do big things and you will all be along for the ride!