Summary Matt Halfhill, founder and CEO of Nice Kicks, discusses the evolution of sneaker culture and its impact on retail. He shares insights on the shift in consumer experience and the rise of the resell business model. Matt also talks about the influence of designers and the transition from sports to music and fashion as arbiters of influence. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining authenticity and presence in the industry. Matt concludes by offering advice to young entrepreneurs looking to establish their presence in the ever-evolving sneaker culture. The conversation covers topics such as establishing a presence in the industry, the importance of presence in general, the opening scene of life, and three seeds for stewards of culture. Takeaways Establishing a presence in the industry requires being physically present and learning from others in the space. Presence is important not only in entrepreneurship but also in our community and society as a whole. The opening scene of life can be represented by a song that reflects personal experiences and influences. Three important seeds for stewards of culture are prioritizing oneself, following one's values, and doing what makes one happy. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Definition of Culture 01:07 The Evolution of Footwear Culture 04:22 The Impact of Sneaker Culture on Retail 06:47 The Rise of the Resell Business Model 07:16 The Shift in Consumer Experience 10:21 The Concept of a Comeback 12:56 Maintaining Relevance and Authenticity 16:00 The Transition of Influence from Sports to Music and Fashion 17:22 The Influence of Designers in the Sneaker Industry 21:01 The Resurgence of Sports in Sneaker Culture 23:03 The Impact of Athlete Collaborations 26:56 The Influence of Hypebeast Culture 29:26 Challenges in Maintaining Authenticity 32:43 The Creation of a Retail Space 35:26 The Future of the Sneaker Industry 39:28 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs in Sneaker Culture 39:34 Establishing a Presence in the Industry 41:08 The Importance of Presence 41:37 The Opening Scene of Life 43:48 Three Seeds for Stewards of Culture JOIN THE NEWSLETTER 📫 Be the first to hear about behind the scenes, new episode drops and live shows near you! Sign up: https://tr.ee/QJ4c7FUWBj LISTEN TO THE SHOW iTunes: http://bit.ly/3XDA3sl Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3D33sCM JOIN OUR COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/cultureraisesus 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultureraisesus 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cultureraisesus ABOUT US Culture Raises US. It isn’t just something we’re impacted by, it’s also something we can impact. As empowered stewards of Culture, it’s time to get smart on how we can continue influencing society while breaking new grounds. On Culture Raises US, Astor Chambers invites you to join for honest, insightful, and challenging conversations with pioneering cultivators across music, fashion, tech, sports, art, and entertainment.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.