LOS ANGELES, Calif., July 21, 2025
Leila Quraishi’s sock business, Nudesox, is on track to sell over 30,000 pairs this year, with aspirations of hitting seven-figure revenue next year. The 27-year-old founder started the company in 2015 after noticing a gap in the market for comfortable, no-show socks in various skin tones.
Leila Quraishi, founder of Nudesox, turned a personal need into a burgeoning business.
From High School Hustle to Seven Figures
Quraishi launched Nudesox when she was still a senior in high school. Her entrepreneurial spirit was evident from an early age; by eighth grade, she was a licensed children’s yoga instructor, even designing her own workout gear. This foundation in creating and leading paved the way for her later venture into sock design.
The inspiration for Nudesox struck Quraishi in 2015. Dissatisfied with existing no-show socks that were uncomfortable, slipped off, and lacked cushioning, she envisioned athleisure socks that offered coverage and comfort in a range of skin tones. As soon as she turned 18, she secured the domain name and legally filed the business.
- Leila Quraishi founded Nudesox in 2015 while still in high school.
- The company aims for seven-figure revenue next year.
- Nudesox started with $10,000 and remains entirely bootstrapped.
- QVC launch resulted in over 500 pairs sold per minute.
- Quraishi advises prioritizing operations and self-awareness for business success.
Bootstrapped Beginnings and Early Growth
Quraishi began her entrepreneurial journey by meticulously studying successful business leaders, devouring articles and interviews. Her initial investment in Nudesox was $10,000, and the company has remained self-funded, with all profits reinvested for growth. Finding a manufacturer for her novel concept proved challenging, taking two years to secure proper samples.
“When I started Nudesox, it was a new category, so it was difficult to find a manufacturer that understood the concept,” Quraishi said.
Early marketing efforts involved directly reaching out to influencers via social media and email. The positive reception and subsequent posts by influencers helped generate buzz. Multiple publications also covered the company, amplifying its reach. Quraishi credits her entrepreneurship studies at the University of Southern California with honing her skills in creating pitch decks, presentations, and understanding key performance indicators.
Navigating Challenges and Scaling Up
One of the most significant early challenges was a product defect in 2018. Quraishi had to recall her first order of socks because they slipped off. This experience taught her a crucial lesson: rigorous product testing is paramount.
“My mistake was that I didn’t test the product in every circumstance and with different shoes to make sure they held up,” Quraishi recalled. “Ever since that moment, every new SKU is worn, washed and tested many, many times with various shoes.”
Quraishi emphasized the importance of organized operations and having a centralized database for record-keeping, acknowledging that managing multiple software types for tasks like invoicing can lead to disorganization.
Networking played a vital role in Nudesox’s development. Quraishi actively connected with fashion industry executives through LinkedIn and email, seeking insights into their processes. She stresses the importance of intentional outreach, finding common ground before making contact. Podcasts, particularly NPR’s How I Built This with Guy Raz, also served as valuable resources for inspiration and learning.
Milestones and Future Outlook
The journey to consistent monthly revenue wasn’t immediate, but Quraishi highlights persistence as a key founder quality. Retail pop-ups initially generated thousands of dollars weekly, a figure that has since escalated to thousands per minute.
A significant growth milestone was the company’s launch on QVC this year. During its first show, Nudesox sold over 500 pairs per minute, equating to about nine pairs per second. This live television appearance provided a platform to visually demonstrate the product’s functionality and connect directly with customers.
Quraishi currently works approximately 75 hours a week, balancing her role at Shopify, where she assists other brands with platform migration and growth, with her Nudesox commitments. Her evenings are often spent discussing margins and retail partnerships with her manufacturer. She finds synergy in her work, as Nudesox itself operates on the Shopify platform.
“I love watching each stage of its growth and seeing new opportunities arise,” Quraishi stated. “Getting to see something you’ve built reach new heights over time is rewarding.”
Quraishi’s core advice for aspiring entrepreneurs centers on self-awareness and problem-solving. Understanding one’s own learning styles and how to best interact with others is crucial. She advises identifying real problems people face and developing a clear vision for execution, emphasizing the need for an “X-factor” that differentiates a business.
