STOMP Athletics grew from a simple frustration on the court. David Gonzales first thought of the idea in 2007 after repeatedly stopping during games to wipe dust off his shoes by hand. He sketched an early version of what would become a traction device, then set it aside for years while working in other fields.
The concept returned more than a decade later. In 2018, Gonzales filed a patent and built an early prototype using basic materials, including parts from a baby shoe. That step marked the shift from idea to product development. Over the next few years, he refined the design through testing and small production runs, working toward something that could hold up in real athletic settings.
The first product launched in 2021, followed by additional designs that expanded the lineup. STOMP introduced traction mats in different sizes and continued filing patents as new versions were developed. Early sales came through direct outreach and in-person events. At a local basketball tournament in Denver, the initial inventory sold out in a single day, which gave Gonzales a clearer signal that the product had demand beyond his own experience.
Michael Manoogian joined in 2023 and took on a role focused on growth and outreach. His involvement helped extend the reach of the products into schools, athletic programs, and training facilities. That shift moved the operation from small-scale sales toward broader distribution.
The business now works through a mix of direct sales and partnerships with sports distributors. Products are used by teams and facilities that need a way to manage traction during games and practices. Manufacturing has expanded over time as demand increased, with new partners added to handle larger production runs.
Growth has followed a steady path. Early years focused on solving a specific problem and building a workable design. Later stages centered on distribution and scaling. By the mid-2020s, STOMP Athletics had moved from a single sketch to a product line used across multiple levels of organized sports, shaped by a founder’s firsthand experience and refined through gradual expansion.
