I’m Beau
Thistle
yes, that’s my real name.
I built this brand around the idea that standing out is a strength. Growing up, I never met another girl with my name (but plenty of dogs and boys). Every introduction came with the same routine: repeat it, spell it, confirm it’s real. And somehow, that weird little interaction made me own it. Being different became something I didn’t just accept—I started to love it.
The name was just the beginning. I was tall. Loud. Creative. The girl with big curly hair, baggy jeans, and painted shoes. And while it wasn’t always easy to stand out, it taught me early on: the things that make you different are exactly what make you unforgettable.
That’s the soul of BT Shoe Studio. This isn’t about fitting in. It’s about honoring your one-of-one story—and turning it into something people can see, wear, and remember.
The story behind the studio
from dropout to designer
I used to sell software. Now I sell stories.
okay fine, being a high school dropout wasn’t the plan, but I got the degree, don’t worry.
Spoiler: I did.
I reopened a dusty shoe account I started back in 2017. One post turned into a few DMs. Then a few pairs turned into hundreds—and eventually, a few corporate deals.
Today, BT Shoe Studio is a full-time, handmade, one-of-a-kind business built around people who know that standing out is a strength—not something to tone down.
Dell & Intel were my first corporate clients, that’s when I knew this thing was real.
This brand didn’t come from a boardroom. It came from being grounded.
The first pair I ever painted? I was 17, grounded, and bored. I was used to painting canvases in my garage, but on July 18, 2017, I ran out—so I grabbed my new school shoes, a blank pair of white Vans, customized them, posted them to Snapchat, and woke up to 19 orders.
No pitch deck. No business plan. Just real people who saw something different—and wanted a piece of it.
shoutout to the first 19 people who got customs for $90. You’re welcome.
Not for everyone. But perfect for someone.
BT Shoe Studio isn’t just about shoes. It’s about wearing your story, turning heads without saying a word, and embracing the things that make you not fit in.
Because the truth is, being one-of-one isn’t a brand thing. It’s a real life thing.
