Designed by the people, chosen by the people and now funded by the people.

Today is an exciting day here at FlyingFlips. Some say that good things come to those who wait. But at FlyingFlips we are in business to make sure great things come to those who give. After much planning and preparation we are turning to you for the support we need to make our dream a reality.  With our Kickstarter project we hope to raise $20,000 to support the release of the first run of limited edition, artist designed flips.

So flip on over to our Kickstarter project and pledge $25 or more to be one of the first to own a pair of FlyingFlips. We also have all kinds of great FlyingFlips swag as a thank you for your support.

If you’ve never heard of Kickstarter, it is a funding platform for creative projects. Creative individuals and companies pitch their projects, friends, family, admirers, and the Kickstarter community pledge money to back the project, and in return they receive rewards. It’s a great way to turn ideas into products and another great example of the power of the crowd!

Kickstarter is all or nothing funding, our goal is $20,000 and if we don’t hit it, we get nothing and nobody receives FlyingFlips. So go check it out, and help us reach our goal. If you can’t pledge right now, we understand, but we’d love for you to share our project with your friends and family with a tweet, post, or pin to help us reach our goal. Thanks!!

It goes without saying that the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow. So why shouldn't they all get the same opportunities for education? Its with this notion that we are so pleased to announce our alliance with Fundacion A. Jean Brugger.

Fundacion Brugger is a non-profit foundation registered in the US and located in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Devoted to assisting Nicaragua youth by providing critical educational opportunities and vocational training for the residents of San Juan del Sur and surrounding communities. The Foundation's primary goal is to educate and empower individuals to build a base of knowledge and awareness of crucial social, cultural, and environmental issues.

"We are excited to start a cooperative alliance with Flying Flips to benefit more than 2,500 kids in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua" says Priscilla Urcuyo Lacayo of Fundacion A. Jean Brugger, “We will deliver sandals to those kids that walk kilometers barefoot to go to school every day, who dream to have a better life through education."

The sandals we're donating this summer will be used to give children footwear that allows them to attend school as part of the traditional uniform requirement and we couldn't be more excited to make a difference in the lives of these children and our leaders of tomorrow.

Please read about the work they do sponsoring children into school programs here.

FlipFlops are a symbol of many different things: leisure time, vacation, beach, sand, surf, summer, bbq's - the list goes on.  But at FlyingFlips, they represent so much more, they represent comfort and security and its why we are proud to announce our partnership with Soles4Souls.

Shoes are an important part of our daily lives, but in developing nations like Haiti, a pair of flip flops can protect a child from life-threatening diseases like hookworm.

Soles4Souls is a non-profit organization that provides shoes to the men, women, and children around the world living in extreme poverty. With your purchases of a pair of FlyingFlips, you are bringing health and happiness to someone in need.  Doesn't that feel good?

The first voting phase has ended and the FlyingFlips community has chosen the VERY first pair of FlyingFlips to be sold in the online store. Congratulations to locamode, the design Oriental Flowers in Gold is going to be a real, live Flip.

The next phase of voting starts Sunday, April 21, 2012 and we’ve decided to include all of the current designs in this phase also. Its our special gift of thanks to our Original Kicksters who participated in our Beta testing and believed in FlyingFlips.

So, if your design was part of the first phase, you will still have a chance to have your design printed as Flips. And an even higher chance if you get the word out to your friends and encourage them to vote on your designs.

The first FlyingFlip will be available to purchase in Women’s sizes near the end of June.

The fun is just getting started. Let the good times roll,

Would you buy a pair of these flips, or do you know someone who would like a pair? Let us know in the comments below!