Meet Shereen Younan | Shoe Customizer & Crafter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shereen Younan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shereen, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Ever since I was younger I had always had in interest in crafting and making things myself. I even had a little book filled with different crafts and how to make them. When quarantine began in March 2020, I went from working two jobs and staying busy to staying home not doing anything. It got to a point where I felt that I was just wasting my time and not creating good habits. Sometime during July of 2020, I hand painted on some vans as a gift, which ended up receiving a lot of positive feed back. That was when I realized it is something that makes me really happy, so why not make others happy as well. The encouragement of friends and family led me to creating Cherry24customs. This is something not many people have the patience for and wouldn’t mind paying for, especially since it is unique per order. Sometimes you just have to go for it, no matter how nervous you are. That is exactly what I did.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started off with customizing shoes and very quickly got into working with resin as well. If you check out my instagram, you will see a variety of items I have made or customized. I feel that sets me apart from others because someone can make an order for custom shoes, a customized keychain, and a coaster all at once versus having to make three separate purchases elsewhere. I am also very open to learning new things and expanding. I am already thinking of a couple new items to start customizing for the new year. It takes a lot of patience, trial and error, and being open to critique in order to get better and grow. I definitely do not feel that I am at the point I would wish to be at, but I am constantly thinking and working towards being better. A big challenge for me is being consistent on social media in order to reach more of an audience, but I have been working on it. `I enjoy making others happy. Making these custom gifts is my way of making others happy because each item is one of a kind and unique to each person. Giving a gift that can be kept for a long time and is unique to a person has so much meaning behind it and truly shows someone how much they mean to you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m so thankful to live in San Diego surrounded by a lot of cute, fun, and beautiful places to visit. I would take them to some good breakfast spots around PB or one of my favorites, The Original Pancake House. Throughout the week we would go sight seeing. Going to Balboa Park to walk around, take photos, and go to the museums. Going to the beach, like Coronado. Mission Beach if we are feeling like going to Belmont Park for some rides or lunch at the restaurants around there, like Cannonball or Sandbar. Some fun activities by the beach like going to The Cave Store and kayaking in La Jolla or a jet boat by Sea Port Village. Some shopping at Fashion Valley or UTC mall. Getting some dessert from SomiSomi or Luxe Boba & Tea Co. Possibly an escape room or two, somewhere like Escapology.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I honestly would not have started if it wasn’t for my brother. He had ordered a shoe customizing kit from Angelus Direct to start his shoe customizing journey. I had borrowed it because I wanted to make custom shoes as a birthday gift for @abstractjonezy (thanks for hyping me up since then), which was the first time I ever painted on shoes. Ever since then, my brother really encouraged me to go for it, while also critiquing me to be better. Shout out to my best friend, Tyra, for always helping me out when it comes to using the circuit machine and supporting me with every idea that I have. I am so thankful for Liz, Ezi, Jocelyn, Monse, my parents and cousins, and many other people for pushing me to be better and supporting me!

Instagram: @cherry24customs

Image Credits
Monse Castro