#392 Fostering an Empowering Culture Through Localized Retail With Matt Lafone

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 diverse and impactful experiences for the entire Athlete's Foot community.</p> With special guest:</p> Matt Lafone, President & GM of Americas, The Athlete's Foot</p> Hosted by:</p> Matt Priest and Andy Polk</p>

00:40:42

#391 Court’s in Session With Sneaker Law’s Kenneth Anand

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 - <a href="https://www.sneakerlaw.com" rel="noopener" target="_blank">https://www.sneakerlaw.com</a>.</p> With special guest:</p> Kenneth Anand, Founder, Sneaker Law</p> Hosted by:</p> Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett</p>

00:31:08

#390 China Trade Expert Frank Lavin is Back!

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!</p> With special guest:</p> Frank Lavin, Founder and Chairman, Export Now</p> Hosted by:</p> Matt Priest and Andy Polk</p>

00:36:19

#389 The New Consumer Mentality Ahead of the Holidays

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.</p>

00:30:47

#388 Focus on Mold: Navigating Supply Chain Challenges with Mike Hanrahan of Superdry International Americas

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!</p> With special guest:</p> Mike Hanrahan, Senior Vice President of Superdry International Americas</p> Hosted by:</p> Matt Priest and Andy Polk</p>

00:23:05

#387 Exploring Shoe Sustainability with NIKE's Chief Sustainability Officer Noel Kinder

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 chemicals used in products. Tune in to get a firsthand account of the progress NIKE is making and to learn more about the company's ambitious goals.</p> With special guest:</p> Noel Kinder, Chief Sustainability Officer, NIKE</p> Hosted by:</p> Matt Priest and Andy Polk</p>

00:32:52

#386 Okabashi 2.0: The New CEO and Circular Evolution of This American Made Shoe Company

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.</p> With special guests:</p> Sara Irvani, Board of Directors, Okabashi Brands and Pepper Harward, CEO, Okabashi Brands</p> Hosted by:</p> Andy Polk and Matt Priest</p>

00:32:19

#385 The Launch of the SOLEcial Studies CommUNITY Academy with Sean Williams

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.</p> With special guest:</p> Sean Williams, Program Lead / Consultant / Curator, Obsessive Sneaker Disorder LLC / SOLEcial Studies CommUNITY Academy</p> Hosted by:</p> Matt Priest and Sabria Butler</p>

00:23:05

#384 Unpacking the Latest on Shoe Packaging with Mark Maxwell of Billerud

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 on this exciting discussion of sustainability and packaging!</p> With special guest:</p> Mark Maxwell, Manager Global Accounts, Billerud Managed Packaging Division</p>  Hosted by:</p> Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett</p>

00:25:43

#383 Dr. Funkenstein and the Supply Chain Chaos: A Dungeon & Dragons Adventure

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 resiliency, and suggests corporations use Dungeons & Dragons-style game plans to prepare for any potential worst-case scenarios. (you'll have to listen to the episode to even understand the title)</p> With special guest:</p> Pete Mento, Commercial Director of Customs and International Trade, DSV</p> Hosted by:</p> Matt Priest and Thomas Crockett</p>

00:24:11