1 hr 20 min
Creating and scaling one of the worlds most recognised brands: Reebok | Episode 31 | with Joe Foster Limitless Potential
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- Careers
Joseph William Foster (Joe Foster) is originally from Bolton England. Joe’s grandfather was the founder of J W Foster & Sons (Athletic Shoes) Ltd and the inventor of the Spiked Running Shoe and the Trainer (Sneaker). Joe and his late brother Jeff were born into the J W Foster & family business, but in 1955 on their return home after 2 years on National Service, they found the business still rooted in the 1930’s. Their Father and Uncle were now operating the business and spent more time feuding than collaborating. The result was that in 1958 brothers Joe and Jeff left the Foster business to set up a new sports shoe company, Mercury Sports Footwear, which after 18 months was renamed to REEBOK.
By 1965, Joe was on his way to the NSGA (National Sporting Goods of America) Show in Chicago, which was the start of many Global adventures and experiences that after 15 years brought him together with Paul Fireman and later many stars of film and television. As the surviving Founder of Reebok, Joe still welcomes the opportunity to travel and recount those early stories from start-up to taking Reebok to a $4 billion business, overtaking Adidas & Nike to become the world’s No. 1 sports brand. Joe has written his book ‘Shoemaker’ to share his story and help inspire the next generation of budding entrepreneurs.
Joe is currently the Chairman of a UK based charity, LetsLocalise, which is a platform to bring schools and businesses together to support and strengthen local communities.
Website: https://www.jwfosterheritage.com/
Joseph William Foster (Joe Foster) is originally from Bolton England. Joe’s grandfather was the founder of J W Foster & Sons (Athletic Shoes) Ltd and the inventor of the Spiked Running Shoe and the Trainer (Sneaker). Joe and his late brother Jeff were born into the J W Foster & family business, but in 1955 on their return home after 2 years on National Service, they found the business still rooted in the 1930’s. Their Father and Uncle were now operating the business and spent more time feuding than collaborating. The result was that in 1958 brothers Joe and Jeff left the Foster business to set up a new sports shoe company, Mercury Sports Footwear, which after 18 months was renamed to REEBOK.
By 1965, Joe was on his way to the NSGA (National Sporting Goods of America) Show in Chicago, which was the start of many Global adventures and experiences that after 15 years brought him together with Paul Fireman and later many stars of film and television. As the surviving Founder of Reebok, Joe still welcomes the opportunity to travel and recount those early stories from start-up to taking Reebok to a $4 billion business, overtaking Adidas & Nike to become the world’s No. 1 sports brand. Joe has written his book ‘Shoemaker’ to share his story and help inspire the next generation of budding entrepreneurs.
Joe is currently the Chairman of a UK based charity, LetsLocalise, which is a platform to bring schools and businesses together to support and strengthen local communities.
Website: https://www.jwfosterheritage.com/
1 hr 20 min