Shoe-In

Most shoe companies working on sustainability lack a coherent holistic approach to ensure their efforts lower costs and magnify impact. In this episode we talk about a new program FDRA and the Footwearists are launching soon to help increase knowledge and help companies form real strategies that tie efforts together. A must listen for every exec and workers in our industry! Visit Shoe Sustainabili...

Kelly Helfman, President of Informa Markets, Fashion Division steps into the Shoe-In Show to share the current state of live events and trade shows. MAGIC in Las Vegas is back in full effect this year; listen to this episode to hear how they are transforming footwear in Las Vegas and insights for emerging retailers and brands who are ready to get back connected.

This week we have LaShae Boone-McCray, Strategic Account Manager at RG Barry on for the first time! From the shoe store to the corporate office, we learn about LaShae's shoe story and how her career in footwear lead her to take on the challenge of helping to create a more diverse and inclusive culture at RG Barry.

Every company has supply chains front of mind right now and this episode covers so many important topics key to speed and agility for shoe companies. We are joined by our friend Dr. Noel Hacegaba at the Port of Long Beach who provides a real-time update on port logistical issues and provides key insights to what to expect for a record breaking 2021 Holiday import rush!

FDRA's own Chief Economist, Gary Raines, joins the podcast this week to talk about record demand for sandals and whether or not the industry has enough inventory to meet growing footwear consumer appetites. To access the full report, send us a note at info@fdra.org.

Ryan Gaither, International Sales Executive at BillerudKorsnäs returns to Shoe-In Show, to talk about the current paper market crisis, supply chain issues affecting the footwear industry, sustainability challenges, and the importance of packaging with consumers.

This episode is a special review of our shoe shopper survey on sustainability, conducted along with First Insight. Hear what grabs shoe shoppers attention on eco-friendly materials, products and processes to how much more they are willing to pay for sustainable shoes! If you want to get real ROI at the cash register for your sustainable efforts, listen to this important episode!

This episode of Shoe-in welcomes Erica Dixon, Assistant Manager of Campaign Operations at adidas! We learn all about Erica's journey from passionate intern to thriving in her current role at her dream company. We have a refreshing conversation on Erica's positive outlook on the industry and her love for all things creative and strategy.

It wouldn't be an overstatement to say that supply chain costs are in crisis mode in 2021. With container spot rates reaching $15K, footwear companies are scrambling for space. Apex Logistics' own Rex Paschall joins Shoe-In to discuss the current crisis, options to avoid additional costs and his forecast for the future. Jasmine jumps in with her world famous Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'? segment.

Shoe-In favorite Kerry Rasmussen stops by the show to update our listeners on the Canadian marketplace and the importance of declaring the proper value of the shoes you ship into the Great White North. Jasmine jumps in to explore Kerry's very healthy obsession with Fluevogs.

Teva, one of the hottest brands in the marketplace, joins Shoe-In to discuss how it is building a more sustainable future from 3D design to its new recycling program 'TevaForever'. Learn more about this innovative program that takes product returns to keep them out of landfills! Anders Bergstrom, Teva's Vice President & Global GM and Jess Bensley, Senior Product Line Manager at Teva are the drivin...

The Shoe-in Show is honored to have Jean-Luc Diard, Global VP of Innovation at Deckers and Head of Deckers X Lab on this week! Jean-Luc shares his journey from starting off as a passionate runner to developing one of the hottest running shoes in the business — HOKA One One. We learn a bit about the mindset around creating new products, timing new developments, and the magic behind the innovations...

A Shoe-in Show favorite is back, Leslie Gallin formerly President of Footwear at Informa Markets and now serving as a consultant at FFB Collaboration. FFB is a cultural marketing and strategy agency that helps brands connect with culture and has a unique creation-to-shelf model to ensure companies have success. On this episode Leslie shares some of the backstory of FFB, why it's important to colla...

In the continuation of our Footwear Leadership Series, Sari Ratsula of Seychelles and BC Footwear joins the podcast to explore her unexpected journey from Finland to Vans to Seychelles. Sari also provides her insights into the ways in which the industry is dramatically changing in these turbulent times. Jasmine jumps in to explore Sari's go-to shoe of choice.

This is an amazing episode about how Saucony's team transformed how they design and produced the new Jazz Court RFG to have just 7 materials and no plastics! We go into the details of how they worked through multiple challenges and innovated their processes and used new materials to make their most eco-friendly shoe ever. Listen as Andrea Paulson, their Head of Product Engineering, goes through th...

Finding and sourcing sustainable materials, keeping track of sustainability certifications and traceability is a real challenge for shoe companies. In this episode we discuss these issues and how Material Exchange is building the future where sustainable materials will be at your finger tips through dynamic filtering by certifications and standards. Join us as we discuss how technology is driving...

The Shoe-In Show Leadership Series continues as Joelle Grunberg of Sperry stops by to share the latest on the iconic brand and strategies she has adopted in the face of an evolving consumer and retail landscape. Jasmine jumps in with her world famous Whatcha Got? Whatcha Gettin'? segment.

Okabashi is not your average shoe company! From its innovative materials to its production facility in America, Okabashi is flourishing. This week, Sara Irvani, Okabashi's CEO, joins us on this fun insightful episode where she discusses how her family, rich in the footwear tradition, came to America and created a forward thinking shoe company. She shares her take on the current footwear market and...

This week we are sharing all the ways FDRA is serving the industry. Checking out our site is always a great place to start , but on this episode we have a conversation about what we are doing regarding sustainability, diversity, supply chain and customs issues, and more!

COVID threw many people into the digital stream, but there are new tools being added to help brands adapt not only their 3D design and development, but how they use new dynamic digital tools to sell shoes to customers. Romans CAD has helped shoe companies digitize for decades and Jean-Marc Pedeboy joins us to talk about what companies are doing well, and the new tools they are launching to help op...

Leadership Series: Faryl Morse, Founder and CEO of Farylrobin Footwear joins the Shoe-In Show for the first time! Faryl shares her journey from working footwear retail as a teenager to owning her own brand. On this episode, we also discuss the importance of company culture during this time, women supporting each other in business and changes in consumer decision-making going forward.

There are a ton of individuals and groups who want to understand how to start a shoe brand and be successful. On this episode, we have on Susannah Davda, aka The Shoe Consultant, who shares with us some of what she offers as a consultant for both start-ups and established brands. We talk about common mistakes, manufacturing, the first steps to starting a brand, marketing and more.

Our leadership series continues with Jad Finck, the Head of Innovation & Sustainability at Allbirds, the fast growing California-based lifestyle brand and Climate Neutral B Corp, well-known for their merino Wool Runners and other ultra-comfy, nature-based footwear and apparel. As Matt Priest puts it, "Allbirds has become the darling of the industry, from an innovation perspective, a sustainability...

Dr. David Priest rejoins Shoe-In Show to provide key critical updates on the spread of COVID, vaccine distribution and critical thoughts around corporate travel, communications, and expectations for 2021. He also answers a slew of questions on the minds of our industry during these uncertain times. A must listen!

The Shoe-In Show Leadership Series continues as Diane Sullivan, Chairman & CEO of Caleres, stops by to share her shoe story taking her from chocolate to footwear. You'll also hear Diane's 2021 industry outlook and the key takeaways she has learned throughout the pandemic. Join this fascinating discussion around e-commerce, assortment, inventory management, customer engagement, and more!