No Simple ‘Feet’
RACHEL MARTINEZ; GETTY IMAGES
Sebastian Martinez has always loved cool socks. When he was in prekindergarten, he grabbed pairs from his closet and put on a fashion show. “They just look really cool on your feet, and they’re comfortable,” says the 11-yearold Florida mogul. “My mom asked me if I wanted to design my own socks, and I started right away.” The Are You Kidding sock company kicked off soon after, with Sebastian as CEO and designer, and his 13-year-old brother Brandon as director of sales. ”Our socks are super funky. Who wouldn’t love
them?” says Brandon. Last year, they started a nonprofit so that they could donate funds directly to kids in shelters and foster care. During the last four years, the company has sold thousands of socks for cancer research. Each year, Are You Kidding sponsors an online campaign, Rock Your Socks. This year’s fundraiser benefits the Stand Up to Cancer charity. “If you don’t give back, then what are you even doing?” asks Brandon. “You never know when you’ll need help,” adds Sebastian, “and we want to put smiles on kids’ faces.”
Sebastian and Brandon Martinez
87