Location/Region: Los Angeles, CA, and Houston, TX
Industry: Apparel and Streetwear
Apps implemented: Inventory, Accounting, Expenses and Manufacturing
Software
Replaced: QuickBooks, Microsoft Word/Excel
Company size: 100 employees
Hosting type: Odoo.sh
What sparked the transformation of a company that once relied on manual processes—taking orders by phone, tracking inventory with QuickBooks and Excel—into a thriving brand with a new Houston headquarters and clothes worn by celebrities like Bad Bunny on The Tonight Show? The answer: passion, disruption, and a forward-thinking vision for fashion. Central to this success was Odoo, which played a key role in scaling operations and bringing that vision to life.
Shaka Wear, founded in Los Angeles in the early 2000s, began as a response to the lack of durable, high-quality t-shirts in the streetwear market. The company was started by Sam Park, who envisioned creating apparel that could withstand the wear and tear of everyday life while remaining stylish. What began as a small operation quickly gained popularity within the streetwear community, becoming a staple for artists, athletes, and creatives alike.
In 2010, Eugene Park, Sam’s son, joined the family business, starting from the ground up (scrubbing toilets, among other “less managerial activities”). Originally pursuing a career in golf, Eugene realized he wasn’t quite good enough to go professional. Seeking a new direction, he turned to his father, who reached out with an offer: “Come work for me.”
Eugene, who had also earned a degree in Computer Science from Harvard, had no experience in fashion but worked his way up, learning every aspect of the company. By 2014, Eugene’s younger brother, John Park, came on board to lead sales and marketing, propelling the company’s next phase of growth. The brothers combined their skills—Eugene focusing on operations and technology while John shaped the brand’s creative direction. Together, they turned Shaka Wear into a global brand.
“Back then, we didn’t even have a web presence. Then I decided to focus on
e-commerce and operational improvements, while my brother shaped the creative side. It was a trial-and-error process, but our synergy worked.”
Through relentless research and development, Shaka Wear experimented with product lines and designs. While many didn’t succeed, one new line became the catalyst that propelled Shaka Wear to new heights. From 2010 to 2014, Eugene was just getting familiar with the industry, and by 2016-2017, the company had made key moves that set them up for success.
When the Park brothers first started scaling the company, they were at 15-20 employees. Today, Shaka Wear has grown to just under 100 employees. “We just acquired property and opened a new distribution center in Houston, Texas. Now, we have two distribution centers, one in Los Angeles and one in Houston,” Eugene said.
Leveraging technology for scalability
One of the most critical turning points for Shaka Wear was the integration of technology into its operations. Eugene’s technical background led the company to adopt Odoo, an open-source ERP platform, to address inefficiencies.
"Before Odoo, everything was manual. We used QuickBooks, paper trails, and Excel spreadsheets to track inventory and manage operations. It was chaotic and unsustainable. We bought raw materials, contracted manufacturing, and handled it all manually, but this wasn’t scalable, and nothing out there could be customized to meet our needs. That’s when I looked at Odoo.”
Eugene also remembered the time when he tried to build his own ERP system: “I thought I could build it better, but I’m not in the software business, so it did not work.” Fortunately, Odoo’s open code base allowed Eugene to develop custom features and integrate the platform into Shaka Wear’s operations. “At the time, Odoo was the only application on the market with a base that I could develop custom features on top of. That’s what really attracted me to it.”
While exploring alternatives, Eugene found that many of the standard industry ERP systems, like Sage and Netsuite, didn’t meet Shaka Wear’s specific needs.
"There were always alternatives like Sage, and we looked into a few others, but nothing could do what we wanted. The industry-standard ERPs promised a lot, but they couldn’t deliver, and they were more expensive. They’d pitch all these features but fall short of expectations, so nothing suited us.”
Odoo, a key partner
Eugene shared that Odoo has streamlined their operations, making it easier to track expenses, inventory, manufacturing, and accounting. Previously, manual data compilation was time-consuming and inaccurate, but with Odoo, they now generate reliable reports, earning the trust of auditors through improved processes and automation.
"It makes a night and day difference. I used to spend half my day managing the accounting system, tracking orders, returns, and damages, and compiling everything into an Excel spreadsheet. With Odoo, we now easily generate accurate reports, which has been a game-changer for us. Our auditors trust our numbers because we can now show them the processes and automation we've implemented.”
"Before, we were entering data manually, which was a nightmare. But now, we can click a button to produce accurate financials."
Looking to the future
As Shaka Wear continues to scale, they’ve built a stronger financial infrastructure that has been crucial for attracting lenders. “Lenders want accurate financials. Now, everything is automated, which make the process faster and easier," Eugene said.
As Shaka Wear continues to thrive as a family-run business with a commitment to quality and innovation, the company remains deeply rooted in its mission to rewrite the narrative of urban fashion.
"We’ve grown not just as a business but as a brand that connects with people. It’s a testament to my father’s vision, the hard work of our team, and the loyalty of our customers.", Eugene explained.
As an example, Bad Bunny’s style made it clear in his recent appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon wearing a Max Heavyweight Oversized Short Sleeve, from Shaka Wear. A total success for the company, even if he is not the first celebrity to wear the brand.
The transformation of Shaka Wear’s operations has had a far-reaching impact, enhancing not only its efficiency but also its company culture and sense of purpose. As the brand looks toward the future, it’s clear that its success will continue to be driven by a foundation rooted in perseverance, adaptability, and family values.
Shaka Wear stands as a powerful symbol of innovation, community, and style, with a future as bright as its legacy. If you’re looking for a comprehensive and customizable solution to streamline operations and scale your business efficiently-just as Shaka Wear did- Odoo is the tool to make it happen.
