Claim OwnershipThe Footwear Retailer
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Description
Running a footwear store isn’t easy—you’re juggling inventory, managing staff, keeping customers happy, and trying to stay profitable. The Footwear Retailer Podcast is here to help you simplify the chaos, grow a business you love, and step confidently into your role as a leader.
Hosted by Pete Mohr—a seasoned footwear retailer, business coach, and proud owner of two Shoetopia stores in Canada—this biweekly podcast delivers actionable strategies and inspiring stories from industry experts, successful retailers, and next-generation leaders.
From inventory headaches to team dynamics, from profit margins to leadership growth, every episode is packed with practical insights you can act on right away.
Whether you're navigating daily frustrations or preparing for long-term success, this podcast is your guide to building a thriving footwear business that doesn’t just survive—it thrives.
Because at the end of the day, “You own your business, it shouldn’t own you!”
Subscribe now and take your next step toward clarity, growth, and freedom
23 Episodes
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In this episode, Pete Mohr discusses the importance of letting go of control in business to foster growth and empower teams. He emphasizes that many small business owners struggle with releasing control, which limits both their business's potential and their team's capabilities. The conversation covers the mindset that creates bottlenecks, the framework for empowering teams, and the transformative results of delegation. Mohr provides actionable steps for business owners to shift from microman...
Most entrepreneurs think finance is about numbers—it’s really about decisions. In this episode, Pete Mohr talks with Dorothy Zubel, Co-Founder of The Finance Group, about the power of fractional finance and why clarity in your books directly impacts confidence, growth, and exit value. Dorothy shares how her team supports businesses with CFO-level insight, KPIs, and financial strategy without the full-time cost. Learn how clean financial records, proper reporting, and strategic forecasting can...
Letting go of a longtime team member is one of the toughest leadership challenges a business owner will ever face. In this episode, Pete Mohr explains why misalignment happens, how to recognize it, and the respectful steps you can take to transition employees without breaking culture or trust. You’ll discover a 5-step framework for releasing employees gracefully: → Acknowledge misalignment → Communicate with honesty and empathy → Offer support during the transition → P...
In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr sits down with Daniel Tadros of 360 Retail Management to explore how independent footwear retailers can leverage automation, AI, and smart systems to save time, reduce costs, and boost profits. Daniel shares how his team helps retailers streamline operations through POS integration, automated product uploads, improved online listings, and outsourced back-office tasks — all while maintaining full control. They also cover overcoming fe...
Pickleball isn't just a sport anymore—it's a retail movement. In this episode, Pete Mohr sits down with Steven Greenstein, VP at PB5Star, to discuss how their biomechanics-first approach to footwear is turning heads—and turning inventory. You’ll hear how PB5Star grew from concept to sellout, what makes their court shoe different from rebranded tennis models, and why their success is tied to deep retailer support and community activation. Whether you run a comfort store, a running shop, or a s...
In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr sits down with John and Mark Cronin, the father-son team behind John’s Crazy Socks. What started as a mission to find employment turned into a 4,000-SKU business, a national brand, and a movement for inclusion and joy. They get real about what happens when viral success overwhelms your operations, how they rebuilt from the chaos, and why giving back is baked into their bottom line. If you’re a footwear retailer, impact-focused ent...
What makes a customer want to stay, browse—and buy? In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr sits down with retail strategist Lyn Falk of RetailWorks to talk about the psychology behind great store design. With over 30 years of experience helping independent retailers create high-converting spaces, Lyn shares what actually works when it comes to layout, signage, lighting, scent, and customer flow. Whether you're opening a new location or just need a fresh perspective, thi...
What happens when the next generation returns to the family shoe store — not just to help, but to lead? In this episode, Pete Mohr is joined by Abba Carmichael (Abba Dabba’s), Jake Humphreys (Humphreys Bootery), and Keegan Keel (K&D Shoes) — three independent retailers shaping the future of footwear. They get honest about: → Why they left the business — and what brought them back → Challenges of stepping into leadership while earning team trust → How they’re balan...
If you’re tired of flying blind in your business, this episode is your cheat code. Pete Mohr is joined by Dan Holman—retail coach, POS expert, and founder of Retail by CRS—for a no-fluff conversation about the metrics, tools, and systems that independent retailers need to grow. From breaking down what your POS system should really be doing, to tracking the few numbers that move the needle, this episode gives you actionable insights you can apply today. Learn: → How to know if your inven...
In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr sits down with Terry Schalow, Executive Director of the Running Industry Association (RIA), to explore how independent run specialty stores continue to grow—even amid inflation, tariffs, and supply chain uncertainty. Terry shares the three pillars of RIA's support strategy: → Elevating retailers through tools like freight savings and product data systems → Strengthening the channel through collaboration and peer groups → Attracting n...
In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr sits down with siblings and second-generation owners Morgan and Everett Kunitz of Kunitz Shoes—a proudly independent retailer that’s scaled with intention, weathered challenges, and built a private label brand that speaks directly to their Edmonton customers. From navigating family succession to building out a highly functional eCommerce platform and crossing oceans to source custom-designed footwear, this episode offers a raw, hones...
In this episode, Melodie van der Baan, co-founder of MaxRetail, dives deep into one of retail’s most persistent challenges: excess inventory. Rather than starting with her background, Pete will immediately lead with a thought-provoking question to set the stage for a conversation packed with actionable insights. Listeners will walk away with: ✅ A better understanding of how excess inventory impacts their business. ✅ Practical strategies to efficiently manage and liquidate stock. ✅ Clear in...
Pete Mohr welcomes Dane from Management One for a no-nonsense conversation about one of the most critical and misunderstood aspects of retail: inventory. They explore the difference between inventory management and inventory planning, why open-to-buy isn’t outdated, and how retailers can use data to stop guessing and start profiting—even in uncertain times. What You’ll Learn: → Why slashing expenses won’t save your store → The real cost of dead inventory (and what to do about it) ...
Want more customers walking through your door? This episode is a masterclass in marketing for independent shoe store owners. Pete is joined by Kody Fitzjerrells, founder of Omni Digital Group, to unpack the biggest marketing mistakes retailers make—and how to fix them. 💬 You’ll hear about: → The "Five-Mile Famous" strategy that puts your store in front of the right people → What most retailers get wrong about Meta ads → Why 59% of your customers only shop with you once → How to use your cu...
In this powerful conversation, Pete Mohr sits down with industry legend Alan Miklofsky to unpack the real reasons some footwear retailers thrive—and others close their doors too soon. From building a business that's not dependent on you, to understanding KPIs, valuation, and exit readiness, this episode offers essential strategies for every independent shoe store owner. 💬 Topics Covered: → How to calculate seller discretionary earnings → What KPIs matter most in footwear retail ...
Struggling to grow your footwear retail business without getting overwhelmed? Josh Habre shares how he expanded from 6 to 15 stores, mastered acquisitions over openings, and built a leadership structure that fuels success. Learn how to apply EOS systems, decision-making frameworks, and succession planning to your business—whether you're a single-store retailer or managing multiple locations. 💡 Key Takeaways: → How to scale a retail business the smart way → Why acquiring existing s...
Independent retailers struggle with declining foot traffic, social media overwhelm, and marketing fatigue. But what if there was a way to turn things around? In this episode, Pete Mohr sits down with social media expert Crystal Vilkaitis to uncover strategies that help retailers grow their business, connect with customers, and increase sales. What You'll Learn: → The best ways to use social media to attract loyal customers → How to get your customers to post about your store → Why paid advert...
Are you a footwear retailer looking for expert mentorship, networking opportunities, and business growth strategies? In this episode, Pete Mohr sits down with Mark Denkler, President of the National Shoe Retailers Association (NSRA), to discuss how independent retailers can access exclusive industry resources to grow and future-proof their businesses. Learn how to: → Connect with a powerful retail network that helps you succeed → Overcome common business challenges in the footwear industry →...
Do you ever feel drained at work or stuck in a routine that doesn’t align with your strengths? It doesn’t have to be this way. In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr introduces the Best Job Blueprint, a strategic tool designed to help you align your work with your strengths, passions, and goals. Learn how to: → Define your dream role and ideal workday. → Align your tasks with what energizes you. → Identify and reduce draining tasks. → Empower your team to take on responsi...
In this episode of The Footwear Retailer Podcast, Pete Mohr welcomes retail expert Bob Negen of WhizBang! Retail Training. They discuss how independent retailers can thrive by creating a customer-first culture, mastering sales techniques, and providing exceptional experiences that keep customers coming back. Bob shares his “Perfect Purchase” framework and insights from his decades of retail expertise. Key Takeaways: • How to implement a sales-focused culture that prioritizes care and experie...
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