Philanthropic Effort Key to Sky Outfitters’ Growth

Just four years after launching from a Taylor University dorm room, Indianapolis-based Sky Outfitters has gone from selling socks to additional items, including beanies, scarves and bamboo t-shirts. The company, which donates an item to a homeless shelter for every item sold, started as Sky Footwear and founder Keaton Hendricks says the company continues to look for ways to grow with the needs of homeless shelters.

“Once we hear the need, we try to see if it’s a fit with what we’re doing and with the customers to see if we can fulfill that need for our Shelter of the Month,” said Hendricks. “When we’re able to go into a shelter and partner with them and meet their immediate needs that they have…we love that. We love to give them a tool that they can use to express love and build relationships.”

Hendricks talked about the company’s growth in an interview on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick. The latest offering from Sky Outfitters is the bamboo t-shirt, which Hendricks says will launch this summer.

The company has already benefited more than 40 homeless shelters throughout the country during its short tenure. Hendricks says there are many challenges in growing the small business.

“What it comes down to for us is focus because we can get spread too thing pretty quickly. But focusing on which area that we want to grow and hoping that it gives us a return is something that’s challenging, as well as a lot of challenges with running a small business, especially these days.”

Hendricks says the company will continue its dialogue with homeless shelters to identify the types of items they need but also that customers would want to buy.