This week I am joined by Tom aka InStyleShoes1999, we share stories about how sneakers created amazing friendships. How he found a way to get his foot in the door at a foot store. His time on NikeTalk and why it connected with him. How The Gathering came to be and what Aaron AC Cooper has shared with him. Meeting Tinker Hatfield and what it is like when he enters the room. Plus a bunch more!  

Follow Tom: IG: https://www.instagram.com/instyleshoes1999 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Instyleshoes/   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week I am joined by Mugzy McFly, we talk about why he created McFly studio's. Growing up in the Bronx, how the color orange chose him! Working with Jae Tips and that first time we met each other. How he is inspired to solve the New York Problem. Getting to travel the world with his best friends and how he's always working. How this year's McFly fest changed the game and much much more!  

Follow Mugzy: IG: https://www.instagram.com/mugzymcfly 

Store IG: https://www.instagram.com/signedbymcfly/ 

Store: https://signedbymcfly.com/  

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week I am joined by Key Nyata, we talk about growing up in Seattle. Becoming a local celebrity at 16, what made him switch to rapping. Being a two sport athlete and how skate culture influenced him. The wild things he has done in his life. The differences in culture from the West Coast and East Coast. Plus much much more!

Follow Key:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/keynyata

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@KeyNyata

Ultraground: https://ultraground.shop/

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week I am joined by Adir Landes, who is behind West NYC's social presense. We talk about his time growing up on the Upper West Side, how he help his mom understand sneaker trends. What it was like waiting for the Packer x Iman Shumpert drop. Working at B&H and how he ended up at Tip Top Shoes. What keeps him curious and what drives him plus so much more.   Follow Adir: IG: https://www.instagram.com/durrlanders/ 

Tip Top Shoes: https://tiptopshoes.com/ 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/tiptopshoesnyc 

West NYC: https://www.westnyc.com/ 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/westnyc/  

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/  

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Chapters: 

00:00 $6M B&H Customer 

03:29 Mount Sinai Hospital 

07:37 Fila Designer ️ 

11:09 NYU & COVID Impact 

14:55 B&H: Tourist Spot  

18:25 Shoes & Tiptop/West 

22:31 Shooting Videos 

26:12 Selling Ugly Shoes 

29:41 Orthodox Jewish ️ 

33:35 Jumpman Denouncing ️ 

37:57 Sold Out Size 

41:31 Drawing Shoes 

45:51 City Bike Boys 

49:41 Versatility as Store 

56:02 Five Shoe Types 

01:00:35 Tiptop & West NYC 

01:04:47 Patreon Shoutouts

This week I am joined by Anwar Carrots to talk about his work with KSWISS. How he designed the newest collection for the KSWISS Racket Club. How this was all connected to his how he grew up. Who were some of his influences, and how much he values collaboration. Where has his brand taken him and what moments he's been able to have. Plus so much more!  

Follow Anwar: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carrotsbyanwarcarrots/ 

Twitter: https://x.com/AnwarCarrots  

Websites https://anwarcarrots.com/ 

https://ksrc.kswiss.com/   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week JD is on the podcast, we talk about how he grew up in Ohio. How did streetwear travel to Ohio, what it was like to put on his own events. Starting the Streetwear Flea Market and continuing to host them every year. Working at sneaker stores in Ohio, and how he build community. Also we talk about his views on influencers and much much more!  

Follow JD: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrkingjd/ 

Photo IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamesdrakeford/ 

Streetwear Flea: https://www.instagram.com/streetwearflea/  

Websites 

https://www.streetwearflea.com/ 

https://jamesdrakeford.com/   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week Trey Uno is on the podcast, we talk about his time at Overtime. How he thought he was going to make it to the league. What type of hooper was he, how he got into Content Creating. He shares some crazy stories from growing up. His love for kicks and the things he did to fit in. What he is doing now and much much more!  

Follow Trey: IG: https://www.instagram.com/TreyUno   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week we sit down the legend himself Ari Forman, as we talk about his time as a kid in the 80s. We remenicise over his moments as a kid in Los Angeles. How he used to hang out with in Sears and how I also hung out at Sears too. We touch on how his family inspired his art inspirations. How advertising shaped his artistic views and much much more!

Follow Ari:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/Ari

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This week John Trottier aka Johnnyskicks is on the podcast. We talk about working with the Sneaker Surgeon. How he almost was a pro in soccer. How he grew up on military bases and how he got a British accent. When did he start designing shoes. Working with several customizers and what he is doing with Yankee Kicks. Where his inspiration for design comes from and much much more!  

Follow JohnnysKicks: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/JohnnysKicks_ 

X: https://x.com/johnnyskicks   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Executive Assistant Role with Shoe Surgeon in 2016

04:56 First Kicks: Iverson Fours and Sneaker Passion

09:42 Company Success: Relying on Others' Strengths and Overcoming Competitiveness

14:23 Graphic Design Journey: Photoshop, Adobe Suites, and Instagram Influence

17:52 Pursuing Art: Concepting, Maker Collaborations, and First Shoe Releases

21:30 Empowering Shoe Makers & Customizers: New Opportunities & Financial Gains

25:15 Personal Taste: Buying Quality Pieces & Examples of Influence

28:42 Lawsuits Impacting Sneaker Sales and Authenticity Concerns

32:37 Peter Moore's Design Legacy: Jordan 1 and Von Grock History

36:13 Von Grock's Original Silhouettes: Basketball, Pickleball, Lifestyle

40:16 Zellerfeld's Goal: Printing New Shoe Designs Daily Using AI

44:04 Footwear Design & Development: Palm Angels Collaboration

47:43 Tiers of Fakes: AAA Version and Quality Insights with Sniderb

51:29 US Manufacturing and Tooling Control for Limited Sneaker Editions

55:18 Acceptance of Fake Sneakers and Retail Reliance ️

58:44 Factory Money and Sneaker Production Insights

01:02:23 Surrounding Self with Successful People and Growth

01:06:32 Complex Con 2023 Content and Podcast Support

This week Kenneth Anand is on the podcast, we are talking about his love for kicks. Growing up in New Jersey, working on music and pursing a degree in law. He share some crazy stories like selling kicks straight off his feet. Working with Kanye West on the Yeezy brand, what it was like to start writing Sneaker Law. How he's able to combine his passion and his career into one. Plus a ton more!  

Follow Kenneth: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kennethtaughtme 

Sneaker Law IG: https://www.instagram.com/sneakerlaw/ 

Cop Sneaker Law V2: https://sneakerlaw.com/   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks 

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/  

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Chapters: 00:00 Puerto Rican Day Parade 1998: White and Blue 95s Story 

03:40 ComplexCon Encounters: Marvel Fleece and Podcast Invitation ️ 

07:16 Crispy White Fives: Nervousness and Black Cement Four Comparison 

11:17 Luxury Sneakers vs Athletic Shoes: Personal Style Preferences 

14:46 Short Bus to Port Authority: Fat Beats & Lyricist Lounge Memories 

18:14 Versus Battles: Dips Set vs. The Locks and Venue Comeback Wish 

22:54 Similar Sneaker Story: Red Fours, Paxon Encounter, and a Bold Offer 

26:25 Kai's Asics Unboxing: Brand Loyalty and Authenticity on Social Media 

29:58 Law and Music Business: Brand Deals and Celebrity Ventures 

34:06 Predatory Behavior: Rungs on Ladder vs Service to Others 

37:52 Surrounding Yourself with Things You Love: Constant Magnet 

41:39 Adidas Yeezy Team: Hard Work, Amazing Product Today 

45:21 Excitement and Passion: Trying New Things and Learning from Failure 

48:59 Vision and Authenticity: Staying True to Yourself and Making Good Art 

52:57 Staying Young Through Culture: New Trends & Staying Ahead 

56:20 Anti-Biting Culture: Respect for Pioneers & Paving the Way 

01:00:21 Protecting Special Creations: Trademarking and Nike's Strategy 

01:04:17 Connect with Kenneth: Sneaker Law, IG, LinkedIn, and Book