Saturday, June 14, 2008 Crazy `bout Crocs By Janette Huang-Teves Mom-About-Town
WHEN Lyn Buyco-Tan's dad, mom and younger brother Clec arrived from a trip to Singapore two years ago, they gifted her their 2-year old son Alec with a pair of light blue Crocs.
"I let Alec try on the Crocs and he started running around the house in it. Later, when I tried to take it off him because I was concerned that he might trip in the seemingly big shoes, he resisted! Alec just felt so comfortable wearing them", recalls Lyn.
The hands-on mom became intrigued about the `odd-looking clog-type shoes with the holes in them' that she looked it up in the Internet and what she came across amazed her. There were countless testimonials from people of all ages posted in various websites. Crocs was eliciting so many passionate fans from people around the world.
"I learned that the material wasn't plastic or rubber but an innovative product named Croslite, which is a closed-cell resin. It is what makes Crocs so unique and popular. It's bacteria-resistant, soft and molds to the wearer's feet, slip-resistant, and very light that the shoes actually float. Crocs are extremely tough that they do just as well in water as on land", exclaims Lyn.
Lyn was instantly hooked on Crocs! After her husband, renowned architect Patrick Tan expressed his full support to pursue their Crocs distribution for Southern Mindanao, the dynamic mom started making phone calls.
Patrick and Lyn eventually met with then Singaporean Sales Manager for Asia Jeremy Ng in Manila and Crocs Philippine Distributor Carlo Limjuco and the rest, as they say, is history.
Last June 7, 2008, the Tans officially opened their first Crocs Store at the second floor of SM City Davao. Cutting the ribbon was Alec (literally the `brainchild' and inspiration of his parents' business venture) and Davao City Councilor Susabel Reta.
"Crocs will always primarily be about comfortable and fashionable footwear, but now we've started giving more comfort to other areas of the body as well. One is the new Crocs shoulder straps for our heavy bags. Our latest products are the O-dials (holders of small electronic gadgets), Sling bags, apparel like T-shirts, socks and caps", Lyn proudly announces.
Moreover, Crocs just introduced the Work Series, which include The Bistro, especially designed for use in the kitchen; and the Specialist for Doctors and Nurses and others working in the Health Industry.
Lyn shares that their best-selling Crocs models remain to be the Beach, the standard bearer, and the kids' model like Caymans (including Disney and Nickelodeon by Crocs). She adds that the `wash and wear' nature of Crocs make it so ideal for active kids who like to run around and get muddy with their shoes.
"There's a Crocs model for everyone in the family! Busy dads and moms can relax and run around in Beach or the open-toed models like Ithaca. For more fashionable moms, there's the wedge sandal Sassari and heeled Cyprus. For ate, there's the comfy and slim-fitting flats Prima and Malindi; for the adventurous Kuya, the Off-road and the Tikali; and for the energetic kids in the family, the classic Caymans and the new Pelican. In addition, Lolo can join in the Crocs craze by wearing the Islander and for Lola, Cleo and Capri", suggests Lyn who knows the various Crocs models by heart.
Being a Crocs distributor turned out to be the right fit for this entrepreneurial mom!
In Davao City, Crocs are available at The Oak and Acorn, Door No. 5, Residencia del Marina, Jacinto Street (Tel. 3006624), Chimes Specialty Store, Sales Street and Crocs Store, Second Floor, SM City Davao.
(E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.)
