Just A Cup - Stories on Sneakers: Chummy’s Customs CEO Chris Donell and Colin “Chummy” Szumski | S2E65
In this episode of Just A Cup, host Bryan Fetzer chats with Colin Szumski, the Miami-based artist behind Chummy’s Customs, about building a custom-footwear brand that celebrates life’s biggest moments—jersey-material “game day” shoes, charity collabs like My Cause My Cleats, and live activations with major partners. We talk creative process (materials, deconstruction, airbrushing), scaling from single commissions to brand campaigns, pricing transparency, and how to work with athletes, teams, and sponsors without losing the art. Colin also shares social-growth strategy, what makes a design go viral, and the lessons learned from collabs that landed in People, Complex, and BR Kicks.
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EPISODE GUIDE
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00:00 – Welcome + why “every pair tells a story”
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02:45 – Origin: from college apartment customs to Miami studio & brand activations (Super Bowl / Art Basel) Angelus Direct [https://angelusdirect.com/blogs/creator-spotlight/custom-sports-sneakers-with-chummys-customs-airbrushing-numbers-using-angelus-paints?srsltid=AfmBOooJSOmRYvDXD0ThCB6hK2FH8HM8CQ9t2QwgyOtgxQNPZl56aKAP&utm_source=chatgpt.com]
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08:30 – Process deep-dive: sourcing, jersey upcycling, hand-painting & finishing
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14:10 – Athlete & brand collabs: what partners actually need (briefs, approvals, turnarounds) Chummy's Customs [https://www.chummyscustoms.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoojzIQG9moGsX7jWPOtLCTzKKwMGbtTJVNiW_efKPxSHeBam3Jt]
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21:40 – My Cause My Cleats: purpose, storytelling, and game-week logistics Chummy's Customs [https://www.chummyscustoms.com/pages/my-cause-my-cleats?srsltid=AfmBOorBtycRG_w3p8OyUiJf7rLjIItnqVVLDLyU550fVSHjiH1oBr2A&utm_source=chatgpt.com]
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28:05 – Social & content: reels that convert; behind-the-scenes vs. big reveals
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33:30 – From one-offs to activations: working events & fan-engagement contests (Steel United example)
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39:15 – Pricing, timelines, IP basics & expectations (what clients should know)
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44:20 – Rapid-fire: favorite pair, dream collab, best feedback, toughest material
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47:00 – Where to find Chummy’s Customs + how to collaborate
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GUEST LINKS
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Chummy’s Customs (official site): https://www.chummyscustoms.com/ [https://www.chummyscustoms.com/] – collaborators include Coca-Cola, FanDuel, Chelsea, 76ers, and more.
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About / Contact / Collabs: Brand collaborations & My Cause My Cleats intake. Chummy's Customs+1 [https://www.chummyscustoms.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoojzIQG9moGsX7jWPOtLCTzKKwMGbtTJVNiW_efKPxSHeBam3Jt]
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Instagram (@_chummys): portfolio, reels, and latest drops. instagram.com [https://www.instagram.com/_chummys/?hl=en&utm_source=chatgpt.com]
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Linktree (all links): requests, collabs, FAQs. Linktree [https://linktr.ee/chummyscustoms?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
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Founder (Colin Szumski) – feature & bio: creative background, live activations. Angelus Direct [https://angelusdirect.com/blogs/creator-spotlight/custom-sports-sneakers-with-chummys-customs-airbrushing-numbers-using-angelus-paints?srsltid=AfmBOooJSOmRYvDXD0ThCB6hK2FH8HM8CQ9t2QwgyOtgxQNPZl56aKAP&utm_source=chatgpt.com]
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LISTEN & WATCH
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Bleav – Just A Cup (show home): https://bleav.com/shows/just-a-cup/ [https://bleav.com/shows/just-a-cup/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Bleav [https://bleav.com/shows/just-a-cup/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
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YouTube – @coachfetzjustacup: https://www.youtube.com/@coachfetzjustacup [https://www.youtube.com/@coachfetzjustacup] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/%40coachfetzjustacup/videos?utm_source=chatgpt.com]
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EPISODE CREDITS
Host: Bryan Fetzer • Guest: Colin Szumski (Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Chummy’s Customs). Chummy's Customs+1 [https://www.chummyscustoms.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoojzIQG9moGsX7jWPOtLCTzKKwMGbtTJVNiW_efKPxSHeBam3Jt]
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ADDITIONAL NOTES / CALLS TO ACTION
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Like the episode? Rate & review on Apple/Spotify—it helps athletes, artists, and brand folks find the show.
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Inquiries / partnerships: Use the Chummy’s Customs collab form or DM via Instagram; for show bookings, contact Bryan via the Bleav show page or socials below. Chummy's Customs+1 [https://www.chummyscustoms.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoojzIQG9moGsX7jWPOtLCTzKKwMGbtTJVNiW_efKPxSHeBam3Jt]
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custom sneakers, custom cleats, jersey shoes, My Cause My Cleats, athlete collabs, brand activations, fan engagement, sneaker artist, Chummy’s Customs, Colin Szumski, Bryan Fetzer, Bleav Network
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