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Shoemaker

Reebok and the Untold Story of a Lancashire Family Who Changed the World

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Shoemaker

By: Joe Foster
Narrated by: Elliot Fitzpatrick
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About this listen

 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.©2020 Joe Foster (P)2020 Simon & Schuster UK Business Professionals & Academics Fostering Inspiring Heartfelt Sports

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All stars
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I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this . The narration was spot on . The author’s drive and determination is amazing .

Very enjoyable and inspiring

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Enjoyed the journey from a small business failing to the calculated gambles that drove their hyper growth.

Well read

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Inspiring rags to riches story. Was maybe made even better having listened to Shoe Dog previously. Interesting to hear the similar challenges Nike & Reebok faced. Also, amazing narrator. I’ve listened to over 100 audiobooks and I think he may be the best. Great range of accents and a decent Sean Connery impression too!

Inspiring story

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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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It is told in a beautiful way and it is a very inspiring listen. I definitely recommend.

Amazing life story

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Very enjoyable. Inspirational and insightful, detailing Reebok’s meteoric rise from humble beginnings to global brand. Narration was excellent, finished this in just a few days. This Would make a lovely Xmas present for someone in business or for anyone who wants to know more about one of UK’s biggest sports brands.

Fantastic - Highly R

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Really interesting to hear the background of Reebok and all the people involved. Very inspiring!

Good read

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I really enjoyed listening to this story on Reebok and its humble foundations to what it is now. I particularly liked that it was a British entrepreneurial story as a lot of these type of stories that I listen to usually come from America so it was refreshing. Being a Brit myself it felt a bit more relatable. It was interesting to hear the different stages the business went through, the various trainers, the ups and the downs of running a business, and parts about his personal and family life too. The narration was great and kept me engaged. I’ll listen to this again. Fascinating journey!

Really interesting story!

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Probably the best put together book I’ve read / listened to for a long time and I go through tonnes of them, had me hooked and had to finish it within two days!

If carlsberg made life story books

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I like good success stories and this is definately one of them. Still hard to believe he gave up ownership of the company, but who am I to judge! The early days part is to me the most interesting. The part where Reebok really takes off is somewhat thin and you can tell that this was no longer Joe Foster at the helm but work of others.
I would say the Nike "Shoe dog" book is better and more interesting but totally worth a listen.
Performance of the narrator is excellent!

Pretty good story, had no idea it was British

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