Innovation vs Imitation: How Retros are Holding Us Back - Episode 008 | MADE TO LAST

Innovation vs Imitation: How Retros are Holding Us Back - Episode 008 | MADE TO LAST

On Episode 008 of Made to Last, Omar joins Duane for a deep conversation on innovation, risk, storytelling, and the realities of building products that actually move culture forward.Omar breaks down what it took to make over 150 investor pitches for FCTRY LAB — and how nearly every room said yes. He talks about learning the language of venture capital, building alongside co-founders with VC expertise, and why the entire process felt like an accelerated MBA experience.The episode dives into one of the biggest tensions in product and brand development today: innovation vs imitation. Omar and Duane discuss how financial targets, timelines, and business pressures often pull companies away from bold ideas and back toward safe decisions — and how that cycle can stunt creativity across the industry.They also explore:• Why logos can completely change the perception of product• The FCTRY LAB Duck Boot as a reinvention of a classic silhouette• Launching the Duck Boot with NLE Choppa and leveraging storytelling tied to Tupac• Using Kai Cenat streams and unconventional rollout strategies to create momentum• Why storytelling is one of the most valuable assets in branding• The risk vs reward of innovation• Why ROI can’t always be the immediate focus when building a brand• The mindset of “give to get”CHAPTERS1:00 — Learning the Language of Venture Capital7:00 — Take the Leap from Yeezy to FCTRY Lab10:45 — Innovation or Imitation13:30 — What Made Yeezy So Innovative17:00 — Retros Are Hurting Innovation in Our Industry21:00 — Logo Executions24:30 — Reinventing a Classic Silhouette27:00 — Launching the Duck Boot with NLE Choppa38:00 — Creating Value in Innovation48:00 — The Basketball Footwear Landscape51:00 — ROI: Patience in Building FCTRY LabSubscribe for more conversations on design, business, culture, innovation, and the people building what lasts.#MadeToLast #FCTRYLAB #Innovation #SneakerIndustry #BrandBuilding #Design #Entrepreneurship #NLEChoppa #KaiCenat #FootwearDesign

This golf glove adds 23 yards to your drive! | Epiosde 007.2 - Paul Farah | MADE TO LAST

#sportstech #golfgloves #footwearindustry #scienceandtechnology In this episode of Made to Last, we’re joined by Paul Farah, who sits down alongside his brother Jo Farah to break down a breakthrough in performance technology: Zyntech Nanocell.Built at the intersection of science, sport, and product innovation, Zyntech is designed to enhance performance across multiple categories — from footwear to golf and beyond.Paul explains how the technology works at a material level, delivering:Shock absorption to reduce impact stressImproved airflow to minimize heat buildupVibration reduction for greater control and feelIncreased surface area to enhance grip and stabilityThe conversation dives into how these principles are being applied in real products — including the development of:A next-generation insole designed to distribute shock and vibration more effectivelyAdvanced grips for tennis and pickleball racquetsA reimagined golf glove that addresses the long-standing limitations of leatherPaul breaks down how traditional leather gloves lose consistency, control, and power over time — and how Zyntech’s material innovation not only improves performance but also delivers measurable results, including the potential to hit the ball up to 23 yards further.Beyond performance, sustainability is a key focus. The glove is washable and reusable, reducing the need for constant replacement and offering a smarter, more responsible approach to product design.This episode is a deep dive into what happens when material science meets sport, and how innovation at the microscopic level can unlock real-world performance gains.🌐 Learn more: https://exo-golf.comSee what's new at FCTRY LAB https://fctrylab.com20 Years of Footwear Design Experience https://duanealawrence.comMusic: Jonny Cool

Science Meets Shoe Care & The Truth About Sustainability | Episode 007 - Joe Farah | MADE TO LAST

Jo Farah, CEO of The Lab, joins Made to Last for a conversation on how probiotic science is changing sneaker care and sustainability. Jo shares his journey from guerilla marketing in South Africa to building campaigns for adidas and Puma, where he developed a deep fascination with the psychology of what makes people buy. That marketing mindset eventually helped him spot a massive whitespace in footwear: sneaker lovers had no real premium care solutions beyond basic household cleaning products. That insight led to the creation of The Lab, a South Africa–built brand focused on intelligent shoe care. In this episode, Jo breaks down how he discovered probiotic cleaning technology — using living organisms that create a microscopic protective layer on shoes and apparel. He explains why he calls it “Intelligent Cleaning”, the science behind the bacteria-based protection system, and how the technology evolved into a second brand, Good Basics, for broader household use. The conversation also dives deep into: • The truth about sustainability vs greenwashing • Why local manufacturing in South Africa matters • Building a business that creates jobs and supports schools • The trials of founding a business from the ground up • Turning science into storytelling and brand growth. This is an essential conversation for anyone interested in footwear care, sustainable innovation, product development, and building purpose-driven brands. 🧼 Learn more about The Lab: https://thelab.care https://www.instagram.com/sneakerlabhttps://www.youtube.com/@UCGfUAzXpLw7cjdtvKCB0xfA Follow on Instagram https://instagram.com/madetolastpodListen on Spotify and Apple PodcastsSee what's new at FCTRY LAB https://fctrylab.com20 Years of Footwear Design Experience https://duanealawrence.comMusic: Jonny Cool #southafrica #footwearindustry #shoecare #sustainability #podcast ⸻ ⏱ CHAPTERS 00:40 - Welcome Jo Farah; 01:45 - Traveling through customs; 04:05 - Jo’s Introduction to Footwear as a Marketer; 08:20 - Guerilla Marketing Experience; 10:40 - Popular trends and artists in South Africa; 12:50 - Inspiration for The Lab; 14:45 - Challenges of the Sustainability Conversation; 20:35 - Science of Shoe Care; 24:25 - R&D and Marketing Strategy for Intelligent Cleaning; 29:00 - Advantages of Probiotic Care; 31:38 - Branding and Collaborations; 34:20 - Made in South Africa, Company Structure; 38:00 - Founding a Business from the Ground Up; 47:14 - Good Basics Stain Removers; 54:00 - Where to purchase The Lab

From Running Yeezy's Sample Room to Creating FCTRY Lab | Episode 006 - Heart & Sole | MADE TO LAST

Omar Bailey goes from barely passing high school to Head of Innovation at Yeezy to founder of FCTRY LAb.In Episode 6 of Made to Last, Omar unpacks the stories behind his new autobiography, HEART & SOLE — from Jamaica to Detroit to India to Cody, Wyoming.In this deeply personal episode, Duane Lawrence puts Omar in the hot seat to unpack the stories behind the autobiography — from his family’s immigration journey from Jamaica to New York to South Florida, to the challenges that shaped him into one of footwear’s most respected innovators.Omar opens up about going from a high school student barely passing classes to earning acceptance into prestigious design schools, and the winding professional road that followed: being let go from Timberland, grinding through apprenticeships, trading design services for office space he was technically sleeping in, and even living and working in India while chasing the next opportunity.The conversation builds toward what Omar calls “the Super Bowl of opportunities” — his rise to becoming Head of Innovation at Yeezy.Along the way, he shares never-before-heard stories, including: • The call from Kanye asking him to move the Yeezy sample room to Cody, Wyoming • A painful lesson from underpricing himself on a major design project • The realities of betting on yourself before the world sees your value • How struggle, faith, and persistence shaped his design philosophyThis is a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what it really means to build a life made to last.📘 HEART & SOLE available nowSee whats new at FCTRY LAb https://www.fctrylab.com20 Years Of Footwear Design Experience https://duanealawrence.com#MadeToLast #OmarBailey #HeartAndSole #Yeezy #FootwearDesign #SneakerPodcast #DesignLeadership #KanyeWest #CreativeJourney #InnovationMusic by Jonny Cool00:00 - Intro, 03:00 - All Star Weekend, 07:40 - Episode 5 with JJG Recap, 20:40 - Launch of Heart & Sole, 23:35 - First Trip to China, 26:45 - Moving Yeezy to Cody WY, 43:30 - Cowboy Engineering, 45:10 - The Downfall of Yeezy and Adidas, 50:05 - Pivoting from Yeezy to FCTRY LAb, 1:00:00 - Raising Venture Capital, 1:04:28 - How to Pitch to Venture Capitalists 1:07:02 - Charging for Design Services, 1:12:42 - The Path to Wealth, 1:15:00 - Picking a name for your business, 1:17:30 - The Future of FCTRY LAB, 1:21:00 - Get your copy of Heart & Sole!

Episode 005 - Jonathan Johnsongriffin | MADE TO LAST

Jonathan Johnsongriffin shares what it's like to work with Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Serena Williams throughout his 17 years at Nike. As the creator who spearheaded Black History Month sneaker collections, he speaks on leadership, work ethic, and the importance of being ready for the big moment. Now the VP of Brand Creative for Google, Johnsongriffin dives into the benefits of emerging AI tools and the fast pace of the tech industry. Jonathan, Omar and Duane's journeys all started in Detroit where they met and studied Industrial Design at the College for Creative Studies. "Detroit is the foundation... thats where grit was formed for us," Jonathan claims. The bond they formed there has proven formidable as they inspire each other to keep grinding today. Follow on IG: https://www.instagram.com/madetolastpod/ Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/madetolastpod Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/made-to-last-podcast/id1870390533 What's new at FCTRY LAB! https://www.fctrylab.com/ 20 Years of Footwear Design experience https://duanealawrence.com/ Music by Jonny Cool