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Who is Jake Polino?

Jake Polino is a sneaker artist, content creator, and the co-founder of Kizo Kicks, best known for his engaging and humorous approach to sneaker DIY culture. Based in the U.S., Jake combines creative customization with light automotive tinkering to create content that resonates with sneaker enthusiasts and hobbyists alike.

June 26, 2025
Justine Castany
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Justine Castany

Justine Castany, a student at ESSEC Business School and currently working at Favikon, shines with her love for marketing and dedication to communications. As a dynamic young professional, she serves as Marketing Manager at Favikon, where she brings her expertise to craft and execute cutting-edge strategies. With her creativity and keen eye for trends, Justine stands out in communicating brand messages effectively and making waves on social media.

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Jake Polino: Revamping Sneaker Culture Through DIY and Humor

Jake Polino is a sneaker artist and the co-founder of Kizo Kicks, known for turning everyday shoes into fully customized, hand-painted pieces. His TikToks often start with a chaotic premise—paint spills, last-minute ideas—but end with surprisingly polished results. He’s built his brand around the idea that you don’t need to be an expert to create something cool. His content captures that DIY trial-and-error energy in a way that’s both relatable and visually satisfying.

Unlike other creators who focus strictly on fashion or sneaker culture, Jake integrates automotive DIY into his content—spray-painting rims one day and revamping Jordans the next. This crossover makes his audience broader than most sneaker pages, drawing in followers interested in cars, crafts, and customization. His car content isn’t filler; it’s treated with the same creative lens as his shoe work. He blends both seamlessly, often within a single video.

Jake Polino and Kizo: Street Art, Custom Kicks, and Creative Brotherhood (Source: @jakepolino, Instagram, June 2025)

Jake’s humor plays a huge role in his brand identity. He frequently self-narrates his projects with dry commentary or ironic music choices, making even failed attempts entertaining. His videos often include audience suggestions, letting his followers influence the next custom design or creative risk. This community-driven format keeps engagement high and makes his content feel collaborative rather than performative.

His collaborations go beyond shoutouts—Jake has tagged Kizo over 30 times and has long-term partnerships with Lexus United States and Angelus Direct. These brands align directly with his DIY persona, giving him creative freedom while reinforcing credibility. Jake’s voice remains casual and unfiltered, which adds authenticity to every branded post. His creator identity is rooted in experimentation, not perfection.

An Influencer Active on Social Media

Jake Polino maintains a strong multi-platform presence, primarily led by TikTok (2.3M followers), YouTube (1.1M), and Instagram (375.1K). While TikTok is his primary growth engine, Instagram supports more curated visual content, and YouTube serves as a legacy platform for long-form DIYs.

Jake's Social Media Strategy Analysis

TikTok: Where Creativity Meets Chaos

Jake Polino’s TikTok strategy is built on turning uncertainty into content. His videos often begin with messy setups, unfinished sketches, or vague plans—and that’s exactly what hooks viewers. He doesn’t present himself as a professional; instead, he builds confidence in his audience by showing that creativity doesn’t need perfection. His edits are fast, reactions are genuine, and results are often surprising.

Posting three times a week at 6 PM EST, Jake maintains a reliable cadence that keeps his 2.3M followers engaged. His mix of sneaker customization and car DIY allows him to span two communities while staying on-brand. Audience suggestions frequently guide his next video, making the content interactive and community-led. The comment section often reads like a brainstorm board for future designs.

His videos routinely pass the 1M view mark, with average engagements hitting 88.4K and an impressive 3.84% engagement rate. These numbers are grounded in substance—not just trends—because Jake’s value lies in showing process, not just outcome. Whether he's botching a paint job or nailing it, he always finds a way to make it entertaining. This authenticity is the backbone of his virality.

His growth rate of +4.46% reflects more than algorithmic luck—it shows momentum powered by relatable experimentation. His Influence Score of 93.4/100 places him in the top 1% globally, making him one of the most impactful DIY creators in the sneaker niche. TikTok isn’t just his biggest platform; it’s his workshop, testing ground, and performance stage all in one.

  • Username: @jakepolino
  • Influence Score: 93.4/100
  • Followers: 2.3M
  • Activity: 3.1 videos/week
  • Engagement Rate: 3.84%
  • Growth: +4.46%
  • Average Engagement: 88.4K
  • Posting Habits: 3 times a week at 6 PM EST

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Instagram: The Polished Side of the Workshop

Jake’s Instagram is where chaos turns into clarity. While his TikToks show process, his Instagram shows payoff—with polished carousel shots, close-ups of customs, and styled product displays. He posts daily at 6 PM EST, delivering consistency and a strong visual identity that leans into sneaker aesthetics. The account also includes occasional collabs, brand tags, and Kizo highlights.

His 375.1K followers engage with an average of 6.1K likes per post, and his content drives 119.1K views per month. He frequently uses Stories and Reels to cross-post TikTok videos, boosting their reach while offering behind-the-scenes extras. His aesthetic choices lean bold and colorful, often spotlighting high-detail brushwork or clever paint techniques. It’s part gallery, part community hub.

Unlike TikTok, where rawness works, Instagram here is highly curated. Even his more casual photos—like posing with custom lockers or holding a paint-splattered sneaker—are well-composed and branded. Brands like Lexus and Angelus Direct appear in multiple posts, showing that Instagram is a preferred platform for taggable, sponsor-friendly visuals.

While engagement is lower than TikTok, the platform plays a key role in solidifying Jake’s legitimacy as a creator-artist hybrid. This is where potential clients and sponsors see final products, not just messy middle steps. It supports his overall identity as more than an entertainer—he’s a builder of brands, shoes, and visuals worth showcasing.

  • Username: @jakepolino
  • Influence Score: 87.8/100
  • Followers: 375.1K
  • Activity: 13 posts/month
  • Engagement Rate: 1.63%
  • Growth: +1.23%
  • Average Engagement: 6.1K
  • Posting Habits: Everyday at 6 PM EST

YouTube: Legacy Platform With DIY Depth

Jake’s YouTube channel has 1.1M subscribers, but its current role is mostly archival. He posts only 0.1 videos per month, with no visible engagement or growth—indicating the platform hasn’t been a focus recently. That said, its subscriber count signals past viral traction likely fueled by DIY tutorials or extended custom projects. It remains a valuable long-form space.

The channel’s inactivity doesn’t erase its potential. Long-form sneaker content still has strong demand—especially tutorials, collection hauls, and “build with me” series. Jake’s hands-on style and sense of humor could translate well into YouTube storytelling formats. If reactivated, it could host high-quality branded series or even workshop-style episodes.

There’s also room for crossover content with Kizo, offering behind-the-scenes views into the custom brand’s production process. With his TikTok fans already accustomed to fast DIYs, YouTube could become the place where Jake explains the “how” and “why” behind each piece. That depth would add dimension to his online persona.

Although dormant now, the platform is not irrelevant. With the right format, Jake could turn YouTube into a long-form complement to his short-form success. His audience size guarantees reach—the only missing factor is consistent uploads. For now, it stands as a quiet archive of creative potential.

  • Username: @jakepolino
  • Influence Score: 78.7/100
  • Followers: 1.1M
  • Activity: 0.1 videos/month
  • Engagement Rate: 0%
  • Growth: 0%
  • Average Engagement: 0
  • Posting Habits: Once a year at 7 PM EST

Jake Polino's Social Media Influence Summary

Jake Polino holds an elite Favikon Influence Score of 9,118 points, ranking #1 in Sneakers both in the United States and worldwide. He also places in the Top 1% on TikTok U.S. (#457) and globally (#2,365), confirming his authority in DIY sneaker culture. With high engagement, strong growth, and a clear niche, Jake stands as the leading creator in custom sneaker content today.

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Content Strategy: Humor, Hands-On, and Hooked Audiences

Jake’s success hinges on accessibility and personality. His TikToks don’t aim for polish—they aim for connection. Whether he’s misplacing tools mid-video or cracking jokes while customizing shoes, every post is designed to lower the barrier to DIY participation. This makes his account especially appealing to teens and 20-somethings who are curious but intimidated by the process.

Reachability and Partnerships

Jake Polino is highly accessible for partnerships, especially through TikTok and Instagram where he actively tags brands like Angelus Direct, Lexus United States, and his own company, Kizo. His collaboration with Kizo is deeply integrated, with over 30 tags showcasing long-term branding and creative control. Jake’s estimated collaboration rate ranges from $10K–$40K per post, reflecting his niche dominance and high engagement. His content tone remains casual and unscripted—even in sponsored posts—which aligns well with brands targeting DIY or youth culture.

An overview of Jake’s top influential connections across key industries. (Source: Favikon)

He has proven ability to blend product promotion with entertainment, often incorporating branded tools or paints directly into his customization videos. Jake’s creative freedom allows him to promote without compromising content quality, a key factor in the effectiveness of his brand deals. His audience is especially responsive to tactile, visual products—making him ideal for art supplies, automotive gear, or sneaker-related campaigns. With regular posting at 6 PM EST and active comment sections, Jake offers both visibility and real-time interaction for partners.

Conclusion: Leading the DIY Sneaker Scene with Humor, Skill, and Community

Jake Polino is redefining what it means to be a sneaker creator by adding humor, DIY chaos, and personal touch to every post. His Favikon Influence Score of 9,118 points and multiple #1 rankings make him a standout choice for any brand targeting Gen Z creatives or sneaker fans. With his rapid growth, high engagement, and proven ability to turn projects into viral hits, Jake is more than ready for his next big collaboration.

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