Presents: The Founder of Reebok Entrepreneurship & Innovation SHOEMAKER Global Tour 2024 with Joe Foster
The purpose of the Entrepreneurship & Innovation SHOEMAKER Global Tour 2024 with Joe Foster is to inspire current and aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders globally. We have just experienced one of the most challenging years for entrepreneurs and business leaders in 2020-2023. Many businesses have closed, and many are just holding on. It is estimated that many more will be shutting their doors in 2024. At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities to start new businesses and keep the spirit of entrepreneurship alive. Joe’s story is one of resilience, grit, and determination, and he is enthusiastic about using it to give hope to current and aspiring business leaders and entrepreneurs.
SHOEMAKER: THE STORY.
Shoemaker tells Joe Foster’s inspiring story, revealing the grit, hard choices and personal sacrifices that go into creating a world-beating brand. It’s a tale of belief – with the right products and the right vision, the risks can pay off and a family business in a small factory in Bolton can be transformed into a global phenomenon.
Joe Foster: The Shoemaker that built a global brand
Joseph William Foster (Joe Foster) was born in 1935 in Bolton England with the same birthday 18th May, as his grandfather, also Joseph William Foster who had died 18 months earlier. 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 on their return after 2 years away from home on National Service, they asked questions. The year was 1955 and the brothers saw a business still rooted in the 1930’s.
As the surviving Founder of Reebok, Joe still welcomes the opportunity to travel and recount those early stories from start-up to taking the company to a $4 billion business, overtaking Adidas & Nike to become the Worlds No. 1 sports brand. Joe has written his book Shoemaker to share his story and help inspire the next generation of budding entrepreneurs.