Featured Guest: “Sneaker” Steve Patiño, CEO & Founder of AGS Labs Inc. / ALES GREY

“The gift is not the end result” – Pharrell Williams

“Stick with the shoes, stick with the shoes.” – “Sneaker” Steve’s mom

Discover how passion and persistence led “Sneaker” Steve Patino from working for free sneakers to becoming a global footwear powerhouse and now a pioneering force in sustainable footwear. This episode features Steve Patiño, CEO & Founder of AGS Labs Inc. / ALES GREY, who transformed DC Shoes during a $1 billion sales growth period, co-founded the celebrity-favorite Android Homme luxury footwear brand, and is now revolutionizing the industry with the world’s first circular bio-based footwear made in the USA.

In this episode of Entrepreneur Perspectives, we discuss:

• Building a footwear empire


• The aim of REI…the arrival at REI!


• Getting into Barneys after three rejections


• From struggling in high school to Stanford GSB


• Creating carbon-negative footwear for frontline workers


• How passion fuels resilience in business and startup challenges


• The evolution from streetwear culture to sustainable innovation


• At age 16, working for free in exchange for sneakers at retail stores


• The story behind Ales Grey and its mission to make the world “less grey”


• The importance of manufacturing locally and reducing environmental impact


• Balancing parenting and entrepreneurship in different socioeconomic contexts


• Making high-quality, sustainable footwear accessible at $34 for frontline workers

This show is made possible by:

KazCM: A content production company that aims to create space where businesses can build assets and drive revenue through writing and talking. Learn more here: https://kazcm.com/

QuietLoud Studios: A podcast network where reflection and voice come together. Learn more here: https://quietloudstudios.com/

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• WhatsApp Is the Future of Communication with César Martín of ChatWith

Connect with “Sneaker” Steve and Learn More About ALES GREY:

• Website: https://alesgrey.com/


• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sneakersteve/

Get in touch with Eric Kasimov:

• X: https://twitter.com/eric_kaz


• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erickasimov/

Credits:

• Music by Jess & Ricky: https://soundcloud.com/user-774649902/sets/jess-ricky


• Produced by the team at KazCM: https://kazcm.com/podcast-production/


• Part of QuietLoud Studios (podcast network): https://www.youtube.com/@quietloudstudios

More about ALES GREY:

ALES GREY by AGS LABS Inc., headquartered in Los Angeles, is pioneering foot-tech innovation by accelerating local green manufacturing in the USA with sustainable products made from future-focused materials.

By making their products in the USA, the company is amongst the top percent of companies capable of producing footwear with the highest quality certified standards. Additionally, local manufacturing allows them to minimize the carbon emissions from the transportation of their products, which are typically associated with heavy long-distance overseas shipping.

ALES GREY, currently available at REI stores across the country, on Amazon, and other key retailers, takes an innovative approach that uniquely combines advanced engineering with injection molding technology and sustainably certified bio-based materials. Their footwear is designed for frontline workers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those focusing on foot health recovery. They’re not just making shoes — they’re taking the steps to a more comfortable, healthier, and safer future for all.

The company was founded by a global footwear and manufacturing expert with 30 years of experience, “Sneaker “ Steve Patiño. He founded the company, naming it in honor of his gen alpha son, to create a positive legacy in the world for future generations.

More About “ Sneaker “ Steve Patiño:

Founder and CEO of AGS Labs Inc. / ALES GREY a Los Angeles based foot-tech company that combines advanced footwear engineering with local North American manufacturing and future focused bio-based materials.

Previously, Steve held the position as the Global Director of DC SHOES INC. during a remarkable $1Billion-dollar sales growth in just five years with the action sports company under Quicksilver Inc. Patiño is a Global Footwear expert with a 30-year career in the shoe and fashion industry.

Steve was the consultant for J Balvin, one of the biggest music stars from Latin America. Steve’s company, ALES GREY, has also launched special projects with Bad Bunny & SWAROVSKI® on multiple sold-out luxury collaborations.

After DC Shoes, Steve was the co-founder & President of Android Homme luxury footwear. The biggest celebrities in Sports, Music, and Entertainment wore his products (Justin Bieber, Usher, Lebron James, Lewis Hamilton, Karim Benzema, Nas, Russell Westbrook, Kendrick Lamar, and much much more…)

Steve’s products and designs have sold at the best retail stores in the world (Barneys, Saks, Nordstrom, Selfridges, Kith, Fred Segal, and Internationally ). A continuous learner, Steve earned certification from Stanford Graduate School of Business in partnership with LBAN Latino Business Action Network ). He pursued his undergraduate academic pursuits at New York University and actively engaged with the Entrepreneurship Club at Stern School of Business.

Before NYU, Steve attended the prestigious Vassar College and earned accolades as