#552 Modernizing Product Development: Why Footwear Brands Can't Afford To Wait

This is Episode 1 of a special five-part Shoe-In Show series in partnership with Centric Software: What's Driving Footwear's New Operational Transformation. In this episode, Andy Polk sits down with David Gardner, Director of Pre-Sales Customer Success at Centric Software, to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in footwear today — product data integrity. From fragmented spreadsheets and siloed systems to AI-powered forecasting and PLM, David breaks down why product data has become a boardroom issue, what it's costing brands in speed, margin, and quality, and what a modern product development foundation actually makes possible. If your teams are working from different versions of the same information, this episode is the place to start. With special guest: David Gardner, Director Pre-Sales Customer Success, Centric Software   Hosted by: Andy Polk, FDRA

In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest and Sandi Mines share everything you need to know about Shoes for a Cure's biggest October yet. Celebrating its 33rd year, the initiative is bringing new collaborations, community events, and an ambitious million-dollar fundraising goal to cities across the country. The conversation takes listeners from the vibrant Miami Design District to Chelsea Market in New York, painting a picture of an industry united around one of the most important fights of our time. Whether you're a longtime supporter or discovering Shoes for a Cure for the first time, this episode will inspire you to get involved and make an impact. The footwear community has always shown up, and this year they're showing up bigger than ever. With special guest: Sandi Mines, President & Chair, FFCF Hosted by: Matt Priest, FDRA

In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest and Christie Horan sit down with Semaj Neville, Vice President of Business Development at Steve Madden, for a conversation about leadership, empathy, and the power of brick-and-mortar retail. Semaj shares his remarkable journey from incarceration to leadership and makes a passionate case for investing in frontline workers, the regional managers, district managers, and store executives who hold firsthand knowledge about what's driving consumer behavior every single day. With the right culture, strong relationships, and a commitment to listening to the field, Semaj believes brick-and-mortar retail doesn't just survive, it thrives. As he puts it, "there is nothing better than brick-and-mortar, product, and people to comp your quarter." With special guest: Semaj Neville, Vice President Business Development, Steve Madden Hosted by: Matt Priest and Christie Horan

What makes a shoe truly comfortable and how do you actually measure it? In the first episode of a special three-part series with SATRA Technology, Matt Priest sits down with Harriet Stokes, Innovation and Development Technologist, and Simon Courtney, Divisional Manager of Footwear, to explore one of footwear's most complex and misunderstood topics. From moisture management to the psychology behind consumer perception, Harriet and Simon break down how comfort is defined, tested, and evolved over time. With over 100 years of footwear research behind them, SATRA brings a rare depth of expertise to a conversation every footwear professional needs to hear. With special guests: Harriet Stokes, Innovation & Development Technologist, SATRA Technology and Simon Courtney, Divisional Manager – Footwear, SATRA Technology Hosted by: Matt Priest, FDRA

What does it take to bring a breakthrough footwear idea to life — and what happens when the entire industry gets behind it? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Andy Polk sits down with Michael Seeley, Alan Lugo, and Christie Horan to pull back the curtain on the Footwear Innovation Foundation's Launchpad program and the upcoming Elevation Event in Portland. From attracting unconventional talent to fostering collaboration across the industry, the Launchpad is designed to surface the ideas and innovators that will define footwear's next chapter. The conversation covers how the program works, what makes a winning concept, and why bringing fresh perspectives into footwear has never been more important. If you want to understand where footwear innovation is heading, and how to get involved, this is the episode to listen to. With special guests: Michael Seeley, Founder, Liminal Group and Alan Lugo, Founder, alanandres Hosted by: Andy Polk, Footwear Innovation Foundation and Christie Horan, Footwear Innovation Foundation

Is the footwear industry's reliance on China at a multi-generational low — or is a resurgence on the horizon? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, FDRA's Matt Priest, Thomas Crockett, and Gary Raines break down the latest developments in footwear trade policy and what they mean for brands and retailers navigating today's complex sourcing landscape. From shifting import dynamics and the role of alternative sourcing countries to the political forces shaping trade decisions, this is the inside conversation every footwear executive needs to hear. If you want to stay ahead of what's happening in Washington and what it means for your business — this is your episode. With special guests: Thomas Crockett, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, FDRA and Gary Raines, Chief Economist, FDRA Hosted by: Matt Priest, President & CEO, FDRA

What if a simple pair of glasses could transform your factory floor? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Andy Polk sits down with Ramona Bajema, PhD, Senior Advisor of VisionSpring to talk about the Clear Vision Workplace program and why providing eyeglasses to factory workers is one of the most powerful and underutilized tools in footwear manufacturing today. The data is compelling: clear vision doesn't just improve worker wellbeing, it drives measurable gains in productivity, quality control, and sustainability outcomes across the supply chain. From Vietnam factories to global sourcing operations, Ramona shares real-world impact and makes the case for why every footwear brand should be paying attention. If you manage sourcing, supply chain, or sustainability for a footwear brand, this episode is a must-listen. How a $1.50 Pair of Glasses Can Change a Garment Factory's Bottom Line. With special guest: Ramona Bajema, PhD, Senior Advisor, VisionSpring Hosted by: Andy Polk, FDRA

What happens when a sneaker obsessive spots a gap nobody else is filling? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest sits down with Devonn Vidal, Founder and CEO of Sneakky Klean, to talk about one of the most unexpected and exciting entrepreneurial journeys in footwear today. Starting in Miami in 2019, Devonn built a premium sneaker cleaning and restoration business from the ground up — creating a professional care category that essentially didn't exist at scale. From free pickup and delivery to locations in New York, Zurich, and the brand's first franchise in Canada, Sneakky Klean is proving that what's on your feet deserves the same care you put into buying them. A conversation about sneaker culture, entrepreneurship, and what it means to build a brand around the idea that you should restore over replace. With special guest: Devonn Vidal, Founder and CEO, Sneakky Klean Hosted by: Matt Priest, FDRA

What does it take to build a technology-forward footwear company from the ground up? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest and Sandi Mines sit down with Jennet Chow and Mike Chen, Co-CEOs of Evolution Design Lab, to talk about one of the most innovative stories in footwear today. From humble beginnings selling shoes at swap meets to building proprietary software that manages the entire shoe manufacturing supply chain, Jennet and Mike have built EDL into a company that sits at the intersection of fashion, technology, and design. They share how they've adapted to market shifts, fostered a collaborative culture where 80% of employees are women, and leveraged AI to transform product development for their clients and their own brand, Jellypop. A conversation about what the future of footwear design actually looks like — and the people building it. With special guests: Jennet Chow, Co-CEO, Head of Design, Evolution Design Lab and Mike Chen, Co-CEO, Evolution Design Lab Hosted by: Matt Priest, FDRA and Sandi Mines, FDRA

What happens when centuries of tradition meet the demands of a modern footwear industry? In this episode of Shoe-In Show, Matt Priest and Christie Horan sit down with Jane Wilson, Chair of the British Footwear Association and Master of the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers — one of the City of London's most ancient Livery Companies with roots stretching back hundreds of years. Jane shares her remarkable journey through the footwear industry, what it means to lead two of Britain's most storied footwear institutions, and how the industry is navigating today's biggest challenges from both sides of the Atlantic. From royal events to retail headwinds, this is a rare and fascinating window into the history, culture, and future of global footwear. With special guest: Jane Wilson, Chair, British Footwear Association & Master, Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers Hosted by: Matt Priest, FDRA and Christie Horan, FDRA