Footwear firm Ground Up International is growing up. Instead of focusing primarily on kids shoes via licensing, Ground Up operations now include partnering directly with brands. First out the gate is the creation of shoes for the Dickies and Scotch and Soda brands as their exclusive footwear partner. Both brands are owned by Blue Star Alliance, a brand management firm in N.Y.C. The new lines represent an expansion of the company’s business model. “We’ve always focused on creating products that resonate with fans, and working more directly with brands felt like a natural evolution for us,” said Ground Up CEO Jack Gindi . “It gives us the opportunity to reach new consumers and ultimately bring our designs to even more fans in a more meaningful way.” You May Also Like According to Gabrielle Correale, Ground Up’s director of marketing, the shoe firm is responsible for building up each brand’s footwear category.…