Common App Essay: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Common App Essay: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

10PM…11PM…12AM…1AM Hours flew by, and my eyes fixated on each shoe panel as the paintbrush glided across the leather, leaving a trail of colors in its path. My hands became strained, but I pushed forward, telling myself, “one brushstroke at a time, one coat at a time.” Despite the long hours, I came back to my workshop day after day. The shoes evolved from a blank canvas to a vibrant work of art. A stream of serotonin flowed through my body as I slowly stripped off the tape along the shoe borders, unveiling the masterpiece of blue dots and green shapes scattered across the swoosh and soles. My first pair of custom shoes were complete. As pictures of my new creation were posted on Instagram, my friends seemed intrigued. Some stated, “You could make some money off of this.” This inspired me to come out of my shell and launch a custom apparel business, Togakicks (www.togakicks.com), in 2020. Marketing the business seemed nearly impossible at first. I'd tell people to give Togakicks a chance. “Sorry! Not interested. Good luck with your business, though,” they’d say. My ears turned hot, and my cheeks blushed from such rejections. Recognizing that orders would not fall in my lap, I turned to my social network to generate initial leads. The first opportunity came at my friend's house. He was dazzled by my custom shoes and the Togakicks e-commerce website. A broad grin struck his face, realizing he needed his own pair. However, his jaw dropped at the $200 price. I improvised and offered him a 30% discount. He agreed! The adrenaline rushed through my veins with anticipation of delivering my first order. This excitement propelled me to chase more business. Photos and videos popped up on my social media, and Togakicks branched out across my community. As more orders came in, some clients questioned, “I could never imagine painting shoes. What happens if you mess up?” This did not deter me because I was not afraid of making mistakes. Instead, as a bold artist, I explored new techniques and design ideas. Some of my best work resulted from getting out of my comfort zone and applying new techniques, such as intricate cartoon designs. This has led me to deliver the highest quality product. The product quality and online promotions have been opening new doors for Togakicks by catching the attention of corporate clients. For instance, an online furniture rental company placed an order for 50 pairs of custom-branded shoes for its furniture delivery staff. I utilized decal stickers to increase production speed for such large orders. It made my day when I took a picture with the company’s CEO, who held the customized shoe. Togakicks turned a new leaf. As such corporate clients have demanded lower costs, it has pushed me to source from offshore suppliers in China and India. These interactions have honed my communication and negotiation skills. While the business is thriving, a highlight of this entrepreneurial journey came during a recent “Color Your Sole” workshop at a local foster home, where I conducted a shoe painting class for a group of teens. It was heartening to see these teens with attention deficit disabilities engrossed for an entire afternoon. They showcased the diversity of their talent while getting their hands dirty with splashes of colors. I realized that providing a creative outlet to others can be a big source of joy. Although people have many similar traits, this workshop illustrated how everyone could express their unique styles in different ways. Now, each time I go back to my workshop, I see my first pair of custom shoes sitting on the shelf. They stare at me with their chipped paint, faded colors, and scuff marks. Yet, these imperfections have reminded me how far I’ve come in creating opportunities for others while developing an artistic outlet.