Kyle Berner

Founder Feelgoodz

  • New Orleans LA

Kyle Berner is the founder of Feelgoodz, a travel-inspired lifestyle brand that produces casual footwear and accessories.

Contact

Biography

A born and raised New Orleanian, Kyle Berner graduated from Loyola University New Orleans in 2003 with a Marketing Major. Upon graduation, Kyle devised “The Pail List,” an earlier version of “The Bucket List,” for his 20s. This post-graduation strategy landed him a unique array of positions in music production, computer sales, basketball coaching, and even hot dog cart vending. It led him to Thailand in 2006 to teach English, where the Feelgoodz story began.

In 2008, at 27 years old, Kyle founded Feelgoodz, a travel-inspired lifestyle brand that produces footwear and accessories from Thailand, Vietnam, and Guatemala. This business has been his professional passion since inception.

An avid traveler and engaging storyteller, he has spoken at TedX Tulane and TedX Raleigh, sharing his story and ideas with a like-minded community. He has also been featured in several top publications, including USA Today, GOOD Magazine, Footwear News, The Wall Street Journal, and Entrepreneur.com.

In addition to being full-time with Feelgoodz, Kyle spends much of his time at Loyola University New Orleans, where he serves as the Center for Entrepreneurship’s EIR (Entrepreneur-in-Residence).

Industry Expertise

Wholesale
Tires / Rubber Products
Supermarkets Food Retail and Distribution
Logistics and Supply Chain
Manufacturing
Footwear
Advertising/Marketing
Retail
Textiles/Leather Goods
Travel and Tourism

Areas of Expertise

Motivation
Collegiate
Entrepreneurship
Travel

Accomplishments

Young Alumnus of the Year

2010-05-01

Loyola University New Orleans' annual award with the following criteria:

1) The alumna or alumnus must exemplify those characteristics that Loyola seeks to form in its graduates - namely moral character, service to humanity,
and unquestionable integrity.
2) The alumna or alumnus must demonstrate a strong commitment to her/his community and Loyola through volunteer service.
3) Must be recognized for her/his accomplishments in her/his profession or other areas of endeavor.

Education

Loyola University New Orleans

Marketing

2003

Media Appearances

Raleigh's Feelgoodz Opens on Glenwood South

Triangle Business Journal  

2015-10-14

To meet inventory demand, Feelgoodz is conducting a $1.5M equity round, but because the cash infusion comes when the company has a higher valuation, Saad and co-owner Kyle Berner didn’t have to give up much equity. Most of the company is still controlled by the original owners. “It’s nice to still own the company. That makes a big difference,” Saad says...

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Where the Rubber Meets the Road: These Flip-Flops Have Sustainable Roots

TakePart  

2015-06-16

When Kyle Berner’s flip-flops broke during a backpacking trip through Thailand, he probably never imagined it would lead to becoming the founder and CEO of a socially minded footwear company. But that’s exactly what happened...

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U.S. Entrepreneurs Selling Products in China

FOX Business  

2012-07-13

For Kyle Berner, founder and chief executive of FeelGoodz, a New Orleans maker of flip flops and sandals, the attraction of being in China was the reason he signed up with ExportNow, even if sales two months later are anemic. “China was always something we’ve been interested in but we had no idea how to approach this vast market,” says Berner...

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