Katie O'Hara, Director of Account Management at Dynamic Foam, join us for this fun deep dive into sustainable materials and strategy. There are increasing regulations, but also new and large opportunities of integrating sustainable materials into footwear. The success lies in wise strategy! Join us as we have some laughs and deep dive into key topics impacting our industry. With special guest: Katie O'Hara, Director of Account Management, Dynamic Foam Hosted by: Andy Polk and Matt Priest ..read more

Leading sustainable material company Lenzing has been working for years to develop a new material for footwear. On this episode we take a look inside the new pioneering technique to make the material, its properties and how their collaboration with Recyc Leather and GANNI is a blueprint for how our industry can make more sustainable materials come to life. With special guest: Nicole Schram, Global Business Development Manager, Lenzing Hosted by: Andy Polk and Matt Priest ..read more

In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt and Thomas delve into mitigating duties and cutting costs with Nicole from KMPG. Learn about the increasing interest in and importance of 'first sale', a strategy for reducing import costs, especially amid an environment of additional tariffs. Listen in to get insights about e-commerce strategies, the role of U.S. Customs in enforcement, and the ripple effect of legislative moves in Congress from a footwear industry perspective. With special guest: Nicole Porpiglia, Senior Manager Trade & Customs, KPMG  Hosted by: Matt Priest and Thomas Crock ..read more

Matt and Andy welcome Mike Piza, Senior VP at Apex Logistics International, to discuss skyrocketing shipping rates and unexpected tariffs impacting the availability of capacity for footwear companies. If you're in the business of shipping shoes, you don't want to miss this timely conversation. Mike has all the latest info impacting the movement of shoes worldwide. With special guest: Mike Piza, Senior Vice President, Apex Logistics International Hosted by: Matt Priest and Andy Polk ..read more

This week, Matt and Sandi are joined by Rebecca Gradler, the founder of the emerging Greek-rooted shoe brand, Kehloni. She shares her childhood experiences in Greece, the inspiration behind Kehloni, and how she leverages her fresh perspective in a millennia-old industry. Rebecca also discusses the challenges of starting a brand in the midst of a global pandemic and showcases the beauty of her handcrafted, unique, and timeless shoe line. The podcast explores her shift from direct-to-consumer sales to a wholesale approach, her entrance into high-end resort shops and boutiques, and the importance ..read more

In this edition of Shoe-In Show, Matt sits down with Mark Coffield, Country Manager for OrthoLite Vietnam, as they explore his multi-decade journey through the shoe industry. Mark reflects on his experiences in footwear and the innovative work taking place at OrthoLite's state-of-the-art facility in Vietnam. Matt and Mark also discuss the importance of innovation, customer service, and quality in service to OrthoLite's many iconic customers. With special guest: Mark Coffield, Country Manager, OrthoLite Vietnam  Hosted by: Matt Priest ..read more

Join us as fellow N.C. State Wolfpackers Matt Priest and Gary Raines unpack the latest shoe pricing data and current footwear costing trends. Together, they dissect recent CPI numbers and margin expectations for men's, women's, and children's footwear. There's more to these numbers than meets the eye! With special guest: Gary Raines, Chief Economist, FDRA Hosted by: Matt Priest ..read more

Scott Willman, the founder, CEO, and creative director of Freshy, stopped by Shoe-In this week to bring his creativity and California vibes to Matt and Sandi. With a background in architecture and design, Scott is creating a unique, vibrant, and positive shoe brand for the masses. If you want to learn more about what makes Freshy so unique, and shall we say, fresh, make sure you take a listen. With special guest: Scott Willman, Founder, CEO, and Creative Director, Freshy Hosted by: Matt Priest and Sandi Mines ..read more

Want to know how to thrive in the 'Artificial Age'? In this episode of Shoe-In, co-hosts reflect on the highlights from the 2024 Shoe Executive Summit, from key takeaways to what we heard from the more than 100 CEOs and Presidents in the room. Hosted by: Team FDRA ..read more

In this dynamic episode of Shoe-In, Matt and Andy welcome Jon Paul Trudeau, the Vice President of Product Operations at Wolverine Worldwide. Checking in from Hong Kong, JP discusses his journey from rock star drummer to footwear design and development pro, and the importance of focusing on product and innovation. The guys also dive into topics such as the future of sourcing in Asia, the shift away from China, the need for automation in new factories, and the exciting innovations driving material technology. With several decades of shoe experience in Asia, JP brings the knowledge without the no ..read more