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Shoemaker

The Untold Story of the British Family Firm that Became a Global Brand

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Shoemaker

By: Joe Foster
Narrated by: Elliot Fitzpatrick
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The remarkable story of how Joe Foster developed Reebok into one of the world's most famous sports brands, having started from a small factory in Bolton.

Since the late 19th century, the Foster family had been hand-making running shoes, supplying the likes of Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams - later immortalised in the film Chariots of Fire - as well as providing boots to most Football League clubs. But a family feud between Foster's father and uncle about the direction of their business led to Joe and his brother Jeff setting up a new company, inspired by the success of Adidas and Puma, and so Reebok was born.

At first, money was so short that Joe and his wife had to live in their rundown factory, while the machinery that made the shoes was placed around the edge of the floor, because it was so weak it could have collapsed if they'd been positioned in the middle. But, from this inauspicious start, a major new player in the sports equipment field began to emerge, inspired by Joe's marketing vision. By the 1980s, Reebok had become a global phenomenon, when they were the first to latch onto the potential of the aerobics craze inspired by Jane Fonda. Soon, Reeboks were being seen on Hollywood red carpets and even in the film Aliens, where Sigourney Weaver wore a pair of Reebok Alien Stompers.

Like the international bestseller Shoe Dog, by Nike's Phil Knight, Shoemaker is a powerful tale of triumph against all the odds, revealing the challenges and sacrifices that go into creating a world-beating brand; it is also the story of how a small local business can transform itself, with the right products and the right vision, into something much, much bigger. Business Professionals & Academics Fostering Inspiring Heartfelt Sports
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All stars
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Great book, well narrated. big fan of inspirational stories and this was one of them!

England's version of shoe dog

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Got this in an audible sale on a whim, glad I did!
My favourite listen in a long time.

Never even knew this was a British brand!
Great story and narration.

Surprisingly Great Listen

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This book was absolutely amazing inspiring and was well written.. also narrated fantastically well..Love the story from the beginning to the end especially knowing places that were mentioned in his hometown of Bolton and Bury.. Definitely recommend this book to anyone especially sports fans and runners.. It’s a book I could go back to and enjoy

Inspiring

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I have lived with this storey all my life. And it is now so inspiring to listen to it on audio books.
Both my uncles are a true inspiration to getting the goal you want

Congratulations Uncle Joe

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A great story of business and personal progress while navigating an ever increasingly globalised world and major international competition. it's not quite as gripping as Shoe Dog but of you enjoyed that it's well worth a listen.

Incredible British success story

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