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April 21, 2025 46 mins

On this episode of the Sneaker History Podcast, Mike Guillory interviews Derek Curry, the CEO and founder of Sneaker Politics, as they discuss the journey of building a successful sneaker boutique over the past 20 years. Derek shares insights on the importance of community, creative collaborations, and the challenges of navigating the sneaker market. They explore how Sneaker Politics has adapted to trends while maintaining a strong connection with their customer base, and the significance of storytelling in sneaker releases. In this engaging conversation, Mike and Derek Curry explore the evolving sneaker market, highlighting the unexpected rise of Crocs among youth, the dominance of brands like ASICS and Nike, and the nostalgia surrounding retro Jordans. Derek shares insights into his personal sneaker rotation, the impact of seasonal changes on footwear choices, and the importance of curating new brands in retail. They also discuss the influence of media exposure on sneaker politics and the excitement surrounding upcoming projects and collaborations.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sneaker Politics and Derek Curry

02:58 The Journey of Sneaker Politics

06:04 Building Community and Expanding Stores

08:57 Creative Collaborations and Storytelling in Sneakers

12:08 The Impact of Releases and Community Engagement

14:59 Navigating the Sneaker Market and Consumer Behavior

17:56 Adapting to Trends and the Future of Sneaker Culture

26:22 The Rise of Crocs and Market Trends

28:05 Top Sellers in the Sneaker Market

30:00 Nostalgia and the Jordan Experience

32:43 Derek's Sneaker Rotation and Seasonal Changes

36:37 The Evolution of Salomon and Fashion Trends

38:00 Curating New Brands and Taking Risks

42:42 Impact of Media Exposure on Sneaker Politics

46:06 Upcoming Projects and Future Plans

CHECK OUT OUR OTHER SHOWS:

For the Formula 1 Fans - Exhaust Notes: https://exhaustnotes.fm

For the Fitted Hat Fans - Crown and Stitch: https://crownandstitch.com

For the Cars & Sneakers Fans - Cars & Kicks: https://carsxkicks.com

For the Creators & Creatives - Outside The Box: https://podcasts.apple.com/id/podcast/outside-the-box-convos-with-creators/id1050172106



[Links contain affiliate links; we may receive a small commission if you purchase after clicking a link. A great way to support the pod!]

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Our podcast is proudly...

Recorded on Riverside: http://www.riverside.fm/?via=sneakerhistory

Hosted & Distributed By Captivate: https://bit.ly/3j2muPb


GET IN TOUCH:

Robbie - robbie@sneakerhistory.com

Mike - mike@sneakerhistory.com

Rohit - rohit@sneakerhistory.com

Nick - nick@sneakerhistory.com


Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent.



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