Ray Guzman @PR_Sneaks23: Miami's OG Sneaker Influencer (CLIP)

Ray Guzman @PR_Sneaks23 on Miami's sneaker community, sustainability, valuing what you have, and the difference between a sneakerhead and sneaker enthusiast.

This is a video clip about Ray Guzman aka @PR_Sneaks23 from Sneaker Impact News.

Watch the full podcast at https://youtu.be/VXohKPUdK7A

Transcript

Ray Guzman: 0:00

I was raised in Miami, but I was born in Puerto Rico. I used to always travel back to Puerto Rico, and I was influenced a lot with the fashion, that Puerto Rico has. So I started thinking, I could use Instagram as an electronic diary of my personal sneaker collection. I think my first big break into Brand Ambassador was I wore sneakers and I started taking nicer pictures of it. I got a better camera. Champ Sports reached out to me. And said, hey man those pictures are great. Do you mind if we use it? Yeah, sure.

Bryan The Botanist: 0:29

How did you meet our founder, Moe? I met him at Grails in Wynwood. There was an event and Sneaker Impact was there. He really was passionate about Sneaker Impact he helped me understand sustainability that really intrigued me. Me and my boy Kickstands came here took a tour. I told Moe, what you got going on here is fantastic. Your story and brand, you got to put it out there more. Because, if people understand there'll be all for it. I've seen it grow. I'm always proud, I always tell Moe, whatever you need, I'm here, man. Not only as a friend, but, anyone that can help.

Ray Guzman: 0:59

So with the sneaker community, I don't say sneaker head, I say sneaker enthusiast, because there's a difference. I'll explain there's individuals that like sneakers, and are into the sneaker scene, but it's really just, this is what's in right now, this is cool, I'm just hyped up, I'm moving on to the next one. After this one, I may sell it, I'm not attached to it. A sneaker enthusiast is more attached to their sneakers. It's a collector's piece to them.

Bryan The Botanist: 1:23

So like what you'd call someone who collects art. Same thing. Got it. And it's not bad a sneaker head either. Sneaker enthusiasts like you are the people that came up with the idea of sustainability within the shoe world long before sneaker Impact was born.

Ray Guzman: 1:36

It's funny because when I met Moe, one of the conversations was that, I think without knowing it sneaker enthusiasts they're also wired for sustainability. And I, what I mean by that is I'm not a hoarder but I like to keep things that I have well kept, so throwing them in landfills is not a thing. And we don't let go of it from a standpoint that it means something to us. So you learn to take care of your sneakers.