Today we’d like to introduce you to Don Dudley.
Hi Don, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I got started by following my passion and interest for sneaker culture. Out of high school, I started to sell my own line of t-shirts (my brand was called Stay Laced). My brands direction was to design graphics that matched the colors of upcoming sneaker releases but were unique and something you wouldn’t find at the mall for those who wanted clothes that stood out. This lead to me traveling to different sneaker conventions like Michigan Sneaker Exchange and Sneaker Con in various cities like NY, Chicago, and Ohio to sell my products.
Inspired by being around so many people who were interested in the same things I was, I wanted to bring all my interest together and do something different for Detroit. I started to host sneaker-themed art shows, that featured live hip-hop performances, sneaker-inspired artwork, and light refreshments. This allowed me to bring all of my favorite things together… music, art, and fashion. I hosted my early events at places like Bob’s Classic Kicks and The Baltimore Gallery in Detroit.
As my work and events became more visible, I was able to work for and with more brands and organizations that took note of the experiences I curated which lead to more projects and collaborations with Nojo Kicks, The Carr Center, Nike, and more.
During this time, I worked retail jobs, and creating events was my side passion. I knew I eventually wanted to get to a space where I was enjoying what I did for a living full time not just on nights and weekends, so I shifted my perspective and I let the work I was doing on the side become a larger part of my resume and portfolio. As I began to search for careers in marketing, I came across Foot Locker in 2019 and was hired as their Marketing Manager for Detroit. In my first couple of years, I was able to create meaningful experiences that gave back to our community through supply drives that feed the homeless with orgs like Hashtag Lunchbag, provided back to school necessities for thousands of families, and provided workshops and learning opportunities for those interested in creative careers in photography, sneaker design, fashion and more. I am now the Marketing Director of Foot Locker’s Central Geo overseeing a team of Marketing Managers in Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, and Houston. My new role allows me to help like-minded people create unique and impactful experiences not just in Detroit my home but other cities as well.
Outside of my 9-5, I co-own a sneaker cleaning and restoration service called CLEAN Sneaker Care with my partner Clue. We are 1 year in professionally and have seen so much growth, I’m fortunate to be able to funnel the knowledge and experience I get from my job and transfer it into my business.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road lol. I don’t think it is for many people so I rarely complain, and I believe the ups and downs of your journey are what make you unique.
I don’t have a formal education in event planning, marketing, or social media, so I had to learn by doing. I learned so much good and bad by creating and marketing my own events that I developed skills and best practices that you sometimes only learn in theory in school, I learned by doing, so I had real-world practical applied experience and proven results. I never talk down on attending school, my advice is that it’s not for everyone and there is no one way to get to what you define as success for you, but school or not you need to have a plan.
We’ve been impressed with CLEAN Sneaker Care, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My day job is Director of Marketing for Foot Locker
My passion is my brand CLEAN Sneaker care, the brand is a full sneaker cleaning and restoration service. From simple light cleans and lace swaps, to completely repainting peeling outsoles, our brand does it all. I take a lot of pride in what we do because it’s authentic, we are true sneakerheads and what I call students of the culture, and this is our contribution to sneaker culture. Right now, our service is pick up and drop off only, but because our consumer like us, truly loves their sneakers we often end up engaging in “Sneaker Talk” discussions about upcoming releases, the golden age of sneakers, sports, streetwear, art, and everything sneaker culture is connected to.
Our next step is working toward opening a brick-and-mortar location this year so customers and can come inside and kick it, this will also allow us to expand our line of merchandise into apparel and home goods.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My advice on networking is to enter every room, every conversation as your most genuine and authentic self, and also never stop learning.
What has worked for me is that I would go to networking events even if the topic or industry was not necessarily one that I currently worked in or even had a heavy interest in. There is always something to learn if you are willing to listen. So, entering these spaces with a mentality of I’m here to soak up game, and I’m here to make connections with other professionals and ambitious people will lead to people gravitating toward you, and make it easy to establish true connections.
Also understanding business and networking as meaningful exchanges, some people try to force collaboration, when the time is right to tap in you will know because it will make sense and networking allows you to have already made a valuable connection that can be utilized and can be mutually beneficial.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cleansneakercare.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staylaced_don/
Image Credits
@jimmy_goldfingers
