I Once Sold a $20,000 Pair of Sneakers! 😱

Have you ever bought a fake pair of sneakers? This week we learn how to spot a fake pair of sneakers, what it’s like to make a $20,000 sneaker sale, how to convince your parents to switch careers and go into business for yourself, and why you should focus your studies on industry specific information instead of general business advice. We sat down with founder and owner of Archive, a boutique sneaker store in Central Phoenix, Wilson Neloy.
Wilson discusses how the pandemic influenced his career choices, pushing him to follow his passion and boldly move into the sneaker business. He discusses the importance of being selfish-finding something that genuinely makes you happy-and why his college degree feels like an expensive paperweight in his pursuit of joy. Growing up with immigrant parents who had high expectations for traditional careers, Wilson’s decision to shift gears and open his own sneaker store was a significant leap of faith.
We discuss Wilson's journey of bootstrapping Archive from the ground up, proving that with the right mindset and hard work, it's possible to create a thriving business even with limited initial resources. His advice? If you think you can do it, go for it. Start your own business sooner rather than later because you can’t get time back.
Wilson also stresses the importance of consuming industry-specific information rather than generic business advice. It’s about standing out in a saturated market and making great relationships-because it’s not just what you know, but who you know. Additionally, he shares his insights on the role of social media in revolutionizing the sneaker game as well as the significance of location in retail.
Thanks for listening to another episode of Young Boss with your host Isabelle Guarino! Be sure to like, share, and follow on Instagram and TikTok.Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
And remember, youth is your power.
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