I'm Brandon Eley, a serial entrepreneur based in Georgia. I'm the founder and President of 2BigFeet, where we make and sell large-size-shoes for guys with big feet. We started Michael Ellis Footwear and manufacture the biggest shoes available anywhere in the world. I'm also the founding partner of CORE Marketing Group, a marketing agency that helps businesses grow and scale. I'm a geek and maker at heart, and love everything from electronics and programming to woodworking and leatherworking.
About Me
I've started businesses from scratch, purchased a franchise, and cofounded a failed tech startup. I have have bought and sold businesses and had many successes and failures.
Online Marketing Inside Out published in June 2009. Have spoken at conferences, universities and companies all over the world about online marketing, e-commerce, and mobile marketing.
Developed the first mobile website for the quick-service restaurant industry for McDonald's when most phones still used WAP.
I studied and worked under my cousin and mentor, Donald Tipton, and have shot everything from landscapes to cities to weddings.
Whether it's an Arduino, a Raspberry Pi or an ESP32, I love building cool projects that solve problems, make my life easier, or are just fun to build.
My grandfather did leathercraft as a hobby and inspired me to want to make things. Whether it's a belt or a dining room table, it feels better to make it yourself.
I love self-hosting my own servers and have HomeAssistant installed at home and my business. I automate tasks with N8N and code apps with Claude Code.
I'm happily married to the love of my life and have two children in college. I don't feel old enough to be an empty nester, though!
I love cooking, whether it's just for me or 50 people. Lately, I've been on a homemade ramen kick.
I love traveling to big cities and small towns alike. I love meeting people and striking up interesting conversations.
I love reading, learning, and teaching others. I recently had the opportunity to teach as an adjunct professor at LaGrange College.
What I'm Working On
Fitting big feet for over 25 years, 2BigFeet is a market leader in large sizes. The shoes you want... the sizes you need.
A brand of shoes exclusively for guys with big feet. Michael Ellis Footwear makes the biggest shoes in the world - up to size 25!
Handcrafted leather belts, notebooks, planners, and laptop bags, made from premium materials in small-town USA.
Small, nimble digital-first marketing agency with big capabilities. From branding and design to websites and video production.
InnerCORE builds MacOS, iOS, WordPress & Shopify apps that solve real problems for small businesses.
Start a local business directory in your community and build a small business helping other small businesses.
MacOS video player that tiles video files or video streams in 2x2, 3x2, 3x3, and 3x1 configurations with no bezels.
Your small business AI CMO. Guidemark walks you through creating a strategic marketing plan executing it step-by-step.
Shopify app for stock takes - count and verify inventory quantities with a barcode scanner or phone camera.
I don't write as much as I used to, and I was never prolific about writing for myself. But I do write articles and blog posts occasionally, and will publish them here when that happens.
I have a new website, and for the first time in almost 20 years, it's not built on WordPress. I chose Astro because I'm trying to learn new technologies and have been really impressed so far...
So, you're ready to become an entrepreneur - you have an idea or a product in mind, maybe even a business plan or website, and you're ready to make things official.
This morning I received the following email from Zirtual, where I have been a customer for about six months using their "Zirtual Assistants" or ZAs to help me manage my business.
I don't believe in the phrase "work life balance." I think it's too dichotomous. Regardless of whether you have a J.O.B. or are an entrepreneur, work is a big part of your life.
While I'm not actively looking for a job or new opportunities, I'd love to hear what you've got going on... as long as you're not trying to sell me something.
