Happy 4th of July everyone! We hope you’re enjoying a weekend with your friends and family, taking in America’s beauty, and reflecting upon the sheer amount of sacrifice, work, and labor that provided this day of relaxation for you.
I’ll use this general state of euphoria to address some of the comments we’ve been seeing lately on the feeds. Coming from fellow “patriots,” we get a lot of hater/troll/keyboard commando posts directed at Combat Flip Flops for not “helping Americans” or “making goods in the the USA.” The statistic that always astounds me is that 80% of people don’t read past a social headline. Then through wild assumptions, people make accusations on our page… Causes a lot of head shaking around here.
We do our best to stay positive, continue to educate, drive forward with the mission, and not feed the trolls. So…
Since it’s the 4th, we’ll clearly lay out what
Combat Flip Flops does in America.
1. On supporting vets...
We’re a Veteran-Owned Business. We're American.
2. On helping American families...
We employ Americans and support American families. Jill, she runs customer service. Mandy, she runs social. Donald, he runs design. The Dude, he abides. The list goes on. If you run a small business in America, you’re helping friends and family in your local community.
3. On making flops to help Americans...
We made flip flops in America—and very few of you bought them. For months, we ground out flip flops in my garage at a price point that deterred most of you from buying them—we nearly went out of business. Footwear production in America is expensive and most people choose lower price point footwear made in a country that starts with a “C” and ends with an “A.” We do the same, but ours are made in Colombia. If you’re curious about why, you can read our rationale here. And the fact that somebody typed that comment on a phone made overseas seals the irony for us.
4. On supporting U.S. citizens..
We make products in America. The Claymore is made right in Washington state, by fellow veteran-owned business, Tactical Tailor (and they kick ass).
"Nothing is more important to our economy, prosperity and national defense than domestic industry. Having a world economy gives us more choices, until something happens. Think back to the Japanese Tsunami a few years back. Keeping Americans productive and innovative is paramount to our growth as a nation.
Griff’s and Combat Flip Flops mission is noble and one that fits our company culture. Griff’s friendship and geographic location makes it a no brainer to support his brand and the good works that they accomplish. To say I am proud of him and the CFF team is a tremendous understatement. We will continue to provide our manufacturing horsepower to CFFs vision. Veterans supporting Veterans, that’s a beautiful thing."
–GW Ayers III, VP, Tactical Tailor
Gear Patrol rated the bag one of the best messenger bags under $400.
5. On choosing to make gear in the USA...
The Chest Rig Neck Tie is made in a veteran-owned facility the USA, too.
As seen on Forbes.com.
6. On helping other countries...
Shirts, hats, and other accessories are made/or printed in the USA. You’ll feel patriotic knowing that a fellow American made your shirt super rad.
7. On helping American veterans...
Combat Flip Flops donates to Veteran Support Organizations: The Station Foundation and Team 5 Foundation.
If you’re not aware of what these organizations do, please read up:
The Station Foundation helps SOF Veterans and Families transition back to life in the U.S..
Team 5 Foundation utilizes SOF Medics and Doctors to help in developing nations (watch the video)—representing the good will and determination of Americans to help the less fortunate.
If you want to support those organizations, donate directly or we’ll do it through the purchase of our Operation Hawkeye Shemagh.
8. On donating to Afghanistan...
And why do we create jobs in foreign countries? It’s because we believe in treating the sickness, not the symptom. We believe this to be the best way to look out for #1.
By creating jobs overseas, promoting women’s education, and building relationship—we reduce the need for U.S. Service members to deploy into harm’s way. We believe that’s the best way to take care of your countrymen. God know’s we can’t trust our government to do it.
9. On educating Afghan women...
If you educate a woman, you educate a family. Educated mothers don’t let their children go uneducated. Uneducated children are the recruitment base for radicals. So if you want to take the fight to extremists, radicals, and terrorists, you should educate women. It really pisses them off.
It’s a long game, but we’re investing in it. We believe you should, too.
10. On our philosophical choices...
And if you have enough time to hate on us, you have enough time to start up your own non-profit, put your heart into it, and contribute to what you believe. It’s a good way to be and we’ll support you.
It’s a free country. We’re all free men and women and we can do whatever we want. Our team chooses to help those in need, make cool products in dangerous, educate women, and provide support to veterans. The Combat Flip Flops team is thankful for the tens of thousand of people that believe in the mission and represent the best values of America to the rest of the world.
Thank you.
Enjoy your Independence Day.
God Bless America.