Made to Last Podcast

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

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.carehttps://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 ⸻⏱ CHAPTERS00:40 - 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

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/madetolastpodApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/made-to-last-podcast/id1870390533What's new at FCTRY LAB! https://www.fctrylab.com/20 Years of Footwear Design experience https://duanealawrence.com/Music by Jonny Cool

Omar and Duane sit down to talk about the mentors that shaped their footwear experience. Whether it was professional guidance, financial assistance or hands-on experience, it was all motivation! As two people with entrepreneurial mindsets, they dive into the sacrifice it takes to build independence in this industry. Where do you find your motivation?Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/HACIf6iTuoAListen on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/made-to-last-podcast/id1870390533See what's new at FCTRY LAb. https://fctry.la20 years of footwear design experience https://duanealawrence.comMusic by Jonny Cool.

Omar Bailey and Duane Lawrence, longtime friends and shoe designers with a combined 40+ years of experience in the footwear industry, sit down to discuss designing for athletes, shoe deals, growing up in South Florida, design school and more! It's the first installment of the Made To Last discussion.Follow along on Instagram https://instagram.com/madetolastpod See what's new at FCTRY LAb https://fctry.laOver 20 years of shoe design experience. https://duanealawrence.comMusic by Jonny Cool