Meet Aaron Warren

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aaron Warren a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Aaron, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I started my accessible shoe company because I always wanted to wear the same shoes as everyone else, but never could because of my disability. I knew I couldn’t be the only one so I started Zipped Brands – the first of its kind accessible shoe company that installs accessibility-enhancing zippers into popular shoe brands like Nike, Dr Marten, etc.

My purpose started out as a personal frustration, but has quickly became much bigger than me!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Growing up, my friends and peers always wore the cool sneakers, the kind I dreamed of wearing. But for me, with my disability, it was nearly impossible to get regular shoes on without it being extremely uncomfortable, so I just didn’t wear them at all. Something as simple as putting on shoes became something that separated me from that feeling of fitting in—a feeling I’ve experienced more times than I can count. Every pair of shoes I loved felt like it was just out of reach, and I knew I couldn’t be the only one feeling this way.

Because I wanted to bridge that gap, I started looking for a solution, not just for me but for anyone who’s ever felt like they couldn’t wear the shoes they loved because the design didn’t consider their needs. That’s when I met Oliver and Angel at Shoe Man with Angel’s Custom Creations. They didn’t just understand my vision; they believed in it. Shortly after, I turned my idea into something very real; I started Zipped Brands. A shoe store providing people with disabilities or mobility challenges the ability to wear their favorite brands of shoes by professionally adding custom, handcrafted zippers. What started as a personal frustration is now a mission to ensure that no one has to feel left out just because of the way they move through the world.

We professionally modify virtually any brand of shoes with a custom, handcrafted zipper that stretches around the entire shoe, allowing the shoe to open fully for easier accessibility & wearability. Our aim with every pair is to do this modification without sacrificing the look, style, or aesthetic of the shoe (which isn’t easy, but it’s very important to us).

Unlike other accessible shoe companies that design entirely new models, we take the shoes people already know and love—like Nike, Adidas, and other top brands—and transform them into accessible versions without compromising style or comfort.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Clear vision: Having a clear “why” — making mainstream footwear work for everyone — was the anchor. That emotional connection helped the brand stand out and build trust very early on.

Adaptability: Starting ZB meant wearing many hats — marketer, manager, designer, customer service. There was no playbook, so learning by doing, pivoting quickly, and staying scrappy were crucial. When obstacles came up (and they did), adaptability kept things moving forward.

My advice: Start by defining who you’re serving, why it matters, and how your product changes their life. Build every piece of content, messaging, and marketing around that. And don’t wait to “feel ready.” Start. Learn as you go. Use free tools, ask for help, join communities, and be willing to pivot. Your first version won’t be perfect. Just make it better each time.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

Taught me no matter what, obstacles are meant to be figured out, not feared.

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