Red. Blue. Black. White. Hundreds of shoes of various sizes and brands fill up each table at the convention. Vance Vu (12) glances at the huge colorful sign next to him reading “Sneaker Con” while he begins to set up his booth. One by one, he unpacks and displays his array of unique shoes that he is about to sell. As a customer walks to his table, Vance looks up and greets them with a smile.

Along with his older brother and his two friends, Vance began his sneaker business the summer before his freshman year in high school. His journey started off small but grew into a hobby that he could benefit from.

“I started off just by selling my shoes, what I had. Eventually, once I realized how sneaker leases worked and all about that, I started investing in other shoes that I thought would sell for more,” said Vance. “It’s kind of about understanding sneaker culture to be able to sell shoes, so that’s how I got into it.”

Part of Vance’s interest in sneaker culture is the positive growth and response he receives from customers.

“I think the best feeling is selling your shoes, just because it makes me feel good that I have made progress on something. It also feels good to put a smile on a customer’s face, help them out in some way,” he said.

After being involved in the sneaker culture for around four years, Vance has discovered that shoes allow him to be unique and express himself confidently.

“Be yourself no matter what anyone thinks. I think being yourself and being unique is what makes you, you. You just have to be confident in yourself,” he said.

Upper school biology teacher Dr. Kate Schafer, who taught Vance both in his junior year and his senior year, loves how Vance is enthusiastic about exploring new ideas.

“I think he’s curious. I think he is always eager to jump into a new activity and try it. He is really adventurous because he’s not hesitant to try something that he hasn’t done before, and he is eager to jump in and figure out how to do it,” Dr. Schafer said. 

Dr. Schafer also hopes that in the future, Vance will continue to show eagerness towards what he enjoys and always be fearless in what he wishes to achieve. 

“[My advice for him is] to not give up on that enthusiasm and that curiosity. And I think this is advice for anyone going out into the world, but choose friends that will support you and look out for you and take care. And be confident that you can accomplish what you set out to do,” said Dr. Schafer.

Longtime friend Jack Connors (12) has always believed he and Vance immediately connected when they met in seventh grade. Jack has supported Vance through his sneaker journey and commends his persistence and loyalty.

“I think he’s really energetic and outgoing. What I admire about him is he always finds ways to remain true to his set of morals and individual identity,” Jack said. “When he started out [his business] with his brother, I was really proud of him. I was stunned by how great he was doing so far. In the first year, he made a ton off of selling his own shoes, which I admire.”

Vance suggests that basketball initiated his interest for sneakers, and now at school, Vance invests his time after school playing on the Harker basketball team.

“Growing up playing it, I have really enjoyed it. It has become a part of my life, and almost a habit.”

Nearing his tenth year of playing basketball, Vance reflects on the relationships he has gained through his journey. 

“I feel like basketball has made me value community more and family more and brotherhood. It has taught me to look out for my close friends … and always have my brothers’ backs, no matter what,” said Vance.

Giovanni “Gio” Rofa (12), one of Vance’s close friends from basketball, appreciates Vance’s selfless demeanor towards all his friends. Gio always enjoys being around Vance and additionally admires Vance’s comedic nature.

“Just spending time with Vance, honestly, is something I look forward to all the time at school. Towards me and his friends, he is very loving and caring,” he said. “He always puts us first in every situation. He’s really considerate in what he says and does towards his close friends. He also has a great sense of humor, and we joke around a lot.”