Footwear industry veteran and successful entrepreneur Mike Gugat joins Shoe-In this week to discuss his children's shoe brand Jbrds. Mike and his team are developing innovative kids shoes designed by a podiatrist, and his innovative approach is attracting critical investment. Get the lastest on Mike’s entrepreneurial journey with Jbrds on this week’s episode. With special guest: Mike Gugat, Founder, Jbrds Hosted by: Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett...
Oct 23, 2023•20 min•Ep. 395
Matt and Thomas break down the latest FDRA Holiday Shoe Sales Forecast as the 2023 holiday shopping season kicks up into full gear. Listen in to better understand key shoe shopper insights in the face of continued inflation and a softening economy. Contact [email protected] to gain access to the full report. Hosted by: Matt Priest, President & CEO, FDRA and Thomas Crockett, Vice President, FDRA
Oct 16, 2023•28 min•Ep. 394
Supply chain transparency is all the rage with new and emerging global regulations like the UFLPA and increased environmental standards. Join Matt and Thomas as they welcome supply chain visibility expert Marissa Brock to break down the effective ways in which Sourcemap supports the footwear and apparel industries under increased scrutiny. From an idea born at MIT to a global solutions company, Sourcemap is helping companies navigate emerging supply chain visibility trends today. With special gu...
Oct 09, 2023•28 min•Ep. 393
Shoe industry vet and retail leader Matt Lafone drops by Shoe-In to discuss with Matt and Andy his innovative approach to driving growth in the footwear industry and fostering an empowering culture for his coworkers and consumers. As President and GM of The Athlete's Foot, Matt leverages the retailer's franchising model to curate highly localized assortments in underserved markets and thoughtfully connect with customers at a local level. Tune in to learn to learn Matt's secrets to fostering dive...
Oct 02, 2023•41 min•Ep. 392
Sneaker Law founder and former Yeezy GC Kenneth Anand stops by Shoe-In to discuss his life-long passion for sneakers and his journey into turning his love of shoes into a successful career in the footwear industry. He also bats around critical intellectual property and legal hot topics with Matt and Thomas and discusses the next frontier in IP protection for brands and creators alike. Oh, and don't forget to buy his book here - https://www.sneakerlaw.com . With special guest: Kenneth Anand, Foun...
Sep 25, 2023•31 min•Ep. 391
Listen in as Frank Lavin, Founder and Chairman of Export Now, stops by Shoe-In to discuss the current state of trade policy amidst the 2024 Republican presidential primary season. As former Under Secretary of International Trade, Ambassador to Singapore, and Reagan White House aid, Frank has tons of experience dealing with the challenging and fraught U.S.-China relationship. Discover his key insights during this enlightening conversation on global politics, trade liberalization, and more! With s...
Sep 18, 2023•36 min•Ep. 390
As you prep your holiday sales plans, make sure you listen to our latest episode on the current economic landscape and its effects on consumer spending. Join Andy and Matt as they analyze the data to uncover the effects of the current economic environment and changes in the supply chain, all while looking at what the future holds for the economy.
Sep 11, 2023•31 min•Ep. 389
Do you want to know how to navigate modern supply chain challenges and protect product from moisture and mold? Join us as we speak with Mike Hanrahan, Senior Vice President of Superdry International Americas, about the company's strategies for increasing efficiency, lowering costs, and making sure products are protected in transit. Discover the tips you need to navigate the ever-changing supply chain landscape! With special guest: Mike Hanrahan, Senior Vice President of Superdry International Am...
Sep 04, 2023•23 min•Ep. 388
NIKE's very own Chief Sustainability Officer Noel Kinder joins Matt and Andy to explore NIKE's innovative and transparent approach to all things sustainability. Noel shares his personal shoe story and delves into why NIKE has a Chief Sustainability Officer, along with details of his day-to-day responsibilities. He also discusses the evolution of Nike's science based sustainability strategy, which focuses on carbon reduction, waste reduction, reduced water consumption, and innovation around chemi...
Aug 28, 2023•33 min•Ep. 387
American shoe manufacturing is going through a transformation and renaissance. Join us on this episode as we meet Okabashi's new CEO and hear about its new journey towards a new business model and way of doing business more sustainably! Their shoe factory is located in GA, which provides them a unique opportunity to transform. With special guests: Sara Irvani, Board of Directors, Okabashi Brands and Pepper Harward, CEO, Okabashi Brands Hosted by: Andy Polk and Matt Priest...
Aug 21, 2023•32 min•Ep. 386
Industry vet, serial entrepreneur, and FDRA friend Sean Williams drops in for a chat with Matt and Sabria about the newly minted SOLEcial Studies CommUNITY Academy (SSCA) in Brooklyn. With the support of Healing Soles and hip hop legend Ali Shahid Mohammed from A Tribe Called Quest, the sky's the limit for the SSCA. The possibilities have us buggin' out! Make sure you take a listen. With special guest: Sean Williams, Program Lead / Consultant / Curator, Obsessive Sneaker Disorder LLC / SOLEcial ...
Aug 14, 2023•23 min•Ep. 385
Are you looking to make your packaging sustainable and cost-efficient? Look no further! Join us on the Shoe-In Show to hear from Mark Maxwell from Billerud, who will guide us through the process and talk about the importance of packaging in the era of sustainability. From understanding the supplies needed to shipping and right-sizing packaging, Mark will share his experience from working at Kmart and General Motors to help brands make their packaging more effective and efficient. Don't miss out ...
Aug 07, 2023•26 min•Ep. 384
Have you ever wondered what the biggest supply chain issues are in today's global trade market? Pete Mento, the Commercial Director of Customs and International Trade at DSV, joins Shoe-In to discuss the current chaos of the logistics and supply chain industry. Pete explains the challenges posed by evolving supply chains, a lack of free trade agreements, increased regulations, cyber security, and labor unrest. He suggests companies should "consider the worst" when it comes to supply chain resili...
Jul 31, 2023•24 min•Ep. 383
Shoes are in the middle of a major transition thanks to new plant based materials that are outperforming traditional materials. Jason Robinson, founder and CEO of Evoco, an innovation company focused on shoe sustainability, reveals how they are changing the shoe game with new bio-chemistry. Jason explains how they are crafting high-performance materials that are 70-80% bio-based, but more importantly why. Hear him explain the importance of sustainability and the innovation process behind it! Wit...
Jul 24, 2023•36 min•Ep. 382
Listen in as Matt and Sandi connect with Alen Mamrout, CEO of the American Exchange Group, to unpack his recent acquisition of White Mountain. White Mountain's Robert Geller and Dennis Eichin join in on the conversation to explore the history of White Mountain, and why joining forces with Alen and the American Exchange Group is the "perfect marriage". Get the behind-the-scenes story on how the two dynamic companies came together to form a more perfect union. With special guests: Alen Mamrout, Ch...
Jul 17, 2023•31 min•Ep. 381
Do you want to hear about the current state of footwear retail from an industry expert? Doug Howe, the CEO of Designer Brands, joins Shoe-In Show to talk about the family-oriented and collaborative nature of the footwear industry, the recent acquisition of Keds, the return of NIKE, and his economic expectations for the rest of the year. With special guest: Doug Howe, President & CEO, Designer Brands, Inc. Hosted by: Matt Priest and Sandi Mines...
Jul 10, 2023•20 min•Ep. 380
Have you heard of the Congressional Sneaker Caucus? It's a bipartisan movement that's bringing people together over a love of shoes! On June 21st, the first ever Sneaker Day was held on Capitol Hill and it was a huge success. Over 75 people, both House and Senate members and congressional staff, got together to show off their shoes, have conversations, and celebrate the impact of sneakers on culture. Representatives Moskowitz and Chavez-DeRemer shared their personal collections and even handed o...
Jul 03, 2023•20 min•Ep. 379
In this captivating episode of Shoe-In Show, hosts Matt and Sandi sit down with the esteemed Kelly Helfman, President of Informa Markets Fashion, to explore the ever-changing landscape of the footwear trade shows. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Kelly dives deep into the exciting trends and innovations shaping the future of these essential events with a key focus on Informa's successful foray into Nashville and longstanding presence in Las Vegas and New York. Get ready to step into ...
Jun 26, 2023•24 min•Ep. 378
In this episode of Shoe-In Show, our Matt and Andy welcome Mike Piza, Senior Vice President at Apex Logistics International, to delve into the fascinating world of supply chain management. As an industry expert, Mike shares valuable insights on the current state of the logistics landscape, including the impact of container rates, emerging air freight trends, and strategies for optimizing supply chain operations. Join us as we unravel the complexities of the global logistics industry and uncover ...
Jun 19, 2023•26 min•Ep. 377
The shoe marketplace is as dynamic and changing as ever. Hear how companies are adjusting strategy to find the right level of inventory and price to pair with consumers who continue to spend but are becoming more picky thanks to a lighter purse/wallet. With special guests: Team FDRA
Jun 12, 2023•23 min•Ep. 376
Listen in as Matt and Thomas sit down with Cesar Sanchez of the Port of Long Beach. Together, they delve into the current state of trade at the port, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities faced by one of the busiest ports in the world. The conversation touches upon the ongoing labor contract negotiations between port workers and the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and explores the impact of these negotiations on the overall efficiency and productivity of the port. Additionally, t...
Jun 05, 2023•24 min•Ep. 375
This week, Matt and Thomas dive into the complexities of supply chain visibility and mapping within the footwear industry. Joined by Suzanne van Huijgevoort, Associate Director, Advisory, and Myrna Grief, Director Supplier Market Development from Elevate, an LRQ Company, the experts shed light on the pressing issue of forced labor considerations and discuss the significant impact of the UFLPA. Additionally, they explore FDRA's innovative Shoe Waste program, aimed at reducing environmental impact...
May 29, 2023•22 min•Ep. 374
In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt and Sandi sit down with Pat Mooney, the President and CEO of Footwear Unlimited, for a lifetime's worth of footwear insights. From his start in the warehouse to sourcing in Taiwan and India to back to St. Louis, Pat has a wealth of experience navigating the global footwear industry. Listen in as we discuss Pat's iconic brands like Frye and Spyder and the amazing team that drives Footwear Unlimited's growth and longevity. With special guest: Pat Mooney, Presi...
May 22, 2023•23 min•Ep. 373
In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt and Sandi sit down with Dave Schoengart, CEO of Shoe Sensation, to discuss his unorthodox journey from fire fighter to the helm of one of America's best family footwear chains. Dave shares his insights on everything from customer service and store placement to his love of horse racing and bourbon. With special guest: Dave Schoengart, Chief Executive Officer at Shoe Sensation, Inc.
May 15, 2023•28 min•Ep. 372
Shoe foam is going through a transformation as more recycled content is added, as well as bio-content, to make them more green. The trick is making sure the performance and costs are within range. Katie from Dynamic foam shares how the math can work for your brand! With special guest: Katie O’Hara, Director of Account Management, Dynamic Foam
May 08, 2023•25 min•Ep. 371
Companies can no longer operate like its 2019 thanks to continued consumer shifts and new and growing risks across supply chains. A former Crocs PD manager joins us to share the headaches everyone using old systems are facing and what they need to do to update strategy and systems. He explains what better operations look like - smarter, easier, faster, less risk and more cost controlled - through a Centric Software PLM system that organizes teams and data. With special guest: Matt Nakari, Sales ...
May 01, 2023•30 min•Ep. 370
With shoe retailers placing new RFID requirements on brands in the coming year, we wanted to bring in an expert to help our industry navigate this technology. That's why Josh Macy of Maxim Label & Packaging stopped by to educate Matt and Thomas on all things RFID and footwear. With special guest: Josh Macy, Strategic Business Development, Maxim Label & Packaging
Apr 24, 2023•22 min•Ep. 369
New customer rules and state regulations are causing companies to rethink and revise their sustainability strategies. Dr. Andrew Hudson shares what is happening and how to think and structure sustainability strategy, step by step, that will succeed! With special guests: Dr. Andrew Hudson, Managing Director at Eurofins | BLC Leather Technology Centre Ltd
Apr 17, 2023•30 min•Ep. 368
Prasad Reddy, CEO of Twisted X discusses how Sustainability is one of the core competencies of the company and how the boot business is positioned for growth. With special guest: Prasad Reddy, CEO, Twisted X
Apr 10, 2023•31 min•Ep. 367
In the era of elevated supply chain, warehousing, and labor costs, Farrow Logistics' own Steven Crerar drops in Shoe-In to discuss creative solutions that drive savings. Strong ties with your supply chain partners is a must as Steven guides Matt and Thomas on ways in which the shoe industry can take advantage of their current and potential partnerships. With special guests: Steven Crerar, Director of Business Development, Warehousing, Farrow Logistics Solutions...
Apr 03, 2023•26 min•Ep. 366
