Jasmine O’Conner Talks Sneakers, Coursework and Following Her Passion

Yellowbrick on February 1, 2021

Name: Jasmine O’Conner
Course: Sneaker Essentials
Instagram: @jasmine_oconner

I enrolled in Sneaker Essentials so I could..

Follow my passion and dream of working in the sneaker industry.

Where are you working now?

Cummins Inc.

Has your experience in Sneaker Essentials impacted your career at all yet, and if so, how?

Not yet.

Why did you think the course was right for you when you enrolled?

I knew this course was right for me when I enrolled because I had just started a new chapter in my life and was ready to go after my sneaker passion.

How did the course prepare you for working in the sneaker industry?

I have way more knowledge about the sneaker industry than I did 12 months ago.

How did the partnership with Fashion Institute of Technology for Sneaker Essentials affect your choice to take the program?

It highly affected my decision. I’m always looking for things that are real and have credibility

What is your biggest takeaway from this program?

I loved learning about the design process and the thought that goes into it. It was very helpful to see the inside of the factories as well.

What would you say to a friend or fellow Sneakerhead about Sneaker Essentials?

Taking Sneaker Essentials was a very humbling experience and I would recommend the course.

“So I Could…” | Abigail Killam

Yellowbrick on February 1, 2021

Name: Abigail Killam
Course: Sneaker Essentials
Instagram: @ajkillam1202

I enrolled in Sneaker Essentials so I could..

enhance my knowledge of the sneaker industry and strengthen my resume to land a job in the fashion retail industry.

Where are you working now?

Everbridge.

Has your experience in Sneaker Essentials impacted your career at all yet, and if so, how?

It has been a strong talking point on interviews.

Why did you think the course was right for you when you enrolled?

I want to get into the fashion retail industry specifically footwear and this course just seemed like it would help me on that career path.

How did the course prepare you for working in the sneaker industry?

I find that this course gave me great knowledge and boosted my confidence in sneaker knowledge.

How did the partnership with Fashion Institute of Technology for Sneaker Essentials affect your choice to take the program?

It heavily affected my choice as the Fashion Institute of Technology has a reputation for being one of the best schools in the world for fashion and if I was going to take a class it might as well be from the best.

What is your biggest takeaway from this program?

The creative skills I have built for myself in the assignments I had such as creating the mood board to designing sneakers, and creating an unboxing video.

What would you say to a friend or fellow Sneakerhead about Sneaker Essentials?

I would highly recommend enrolling if you want to do a deep dive into every aspect of the sneaker industry.

“So I Could…” | Michael Franz

Yellowbrick on January 4, 2021

Name: Michael Franz
Course: Sneaker Essentials
Instagram: @welcomemyfranz

I enrolled in Sneaker Essentials so I could..

pivot my career path to sneakers through the added skills this course provided.

Where are you working now?

American Honda Motor Co. as a District Sales Manager in Atlanta, GA

Has your experience in Sneaker Essentials impacted your career at all yet, and if so, how?

I used the downtime of the past 3 months pandemic to buy an ipad and apple pencil and learn to design mockups in Procreate, some paid opportunities have already come through the pipe, my final assignment being an example of that.

Why did you think the course was right for you when you enrolled?

Because I love all things sneakers and wanted to become a student of my passion!

How did the course prepare you for working in the sneaker industry?

It taught me the top down view of what the industry looks like and what the different roles entail. I was able to see where sneakers began and where they are going in all facets as well and that was important to being a well rounded student of the industry.

How did the partnership with Fashion Institute of Technology for Sneaker Essentials affect your choice to take the program?

Brought validity to the curriculum for me.

What is your biggest takeaway from this program?

That there is a vast amount of jobs and roles that you could fit in within the sneaker world, you just need to carve out your place in it by honing in on which part you love most.

What would you say to a friend or fellow Sneakerhead about Sneaker Essentials?

I would highly recommend taking the course and putting the time in to soak up every lesson.

“So I Could…” | Harrison Davis

Yellowbrick on January 4, 2021

Name: Harrison Davis
Course: Sneaker Essentials
Instagram: @sneakerscoffeechampagne

I enrolled in Sneaker Essentials so I could..

gain a more global perspective on the industry that I’m so passionate about.

Where are you working now?

Stadium Goods

Has your experience in Sneaker Essentials impacted your career at all yet, and if so, how?

Sneaker Essentials helped me decide what part of the industry I was most interested in pursuing the rest of my career in. Having owned a tier one independent sneaker boutique for 6 years, most of my vantage point comes from that angle of the industry. As I transitioned from Baltimore to NYC, Sneaker Essentials helped me to narrow down my specific interests within a much wider industry and endless opportunities in NYC. Ultimately I landed at Private Client Services at Stadium Goods. Being introduced to a more in-depth look in to the SG brand, and mission, during the Sneakers Essential course definitely impacted my decision to apply to positions at Stadium Goods.

Why did you think the course was right for you when you enrolled?

I enrolled in Sneaker Essentials to get a broader perspective of the industry, end-to-end. My primary experiences had been as a collector and owner in the independent space. To grow my career and be able to compete in the NYC market I wanted to grow my knowledge of design, supply channels, big box, mass marketing, etc.

How did the course prepare you for working in the sneaker industry?

The course gave me great perspective into the mass amount of different avenues you can take within the sneaker industry. From design, to supply chain, processing, management, buying, customer service; I really feel like the course gave a great overview of the industry as a whole.

How did the partnership with Fashion Institute of Technology for Sneaker Essentials affect your choice to take the program?

Just like FIT legitimizes the knowledge being shared, the partnership with Complex legitimizes that the people sharing the knowledge are significant in sneaker culture, beyond just knowledge.

What assignment, course, and/or instructor sticks out in your mind or taught you something valuable?

Sue from Rime really stuck out in my mind. Her authentic story about creating a boutique in the early 2000’s, to her first collab with Puma, to the struggles of being independent really resonated with me, and gave great perspective around that era of the industry.

What would you say to a friend or fellow Sneakerhead about Sneaker Essentials?

I would tell friends that are both interested in getting into the industry, or who have been in the industry for a while, that the course is a great high level framework of the industry at large. For those looking to get into the industry, this gives invaluable insight into many of the heavy hitting brands and stores. For those who have been in the industry for a while, this allows you to look back at the industry from the outside in as you prepare to make your next moves or rethink old logic.

Career Spotlight on Former Nike Marketing Manager Les Green

Yellowbrick on October 21, 2020

The sneaker industry is full of career opportunities. While sneaker design is one of the most sought after paths, there is a huge variety of other jobs and careers to pursue. The Sneaker Essentials course was designed to give students an inside look at all of the possible career paths and help them capitalize on their unique skills to carve out their own path . From marketing to design to engineering, there is a career opportunity for everyone.

Sneaker Essentials recently sat down with Teespring’s Vice President of Marketing, Les Green, to talk about some of the things he has accomplished across the industry. Green has held down some key positions in the sneaker industry. He has worked with some of the world’s most influential brands for over 18 years. He served as Nike Africa Marketing Director, Nike Mexico’s Senior Brand Director, Senior Brand Director Nike By You, and Global Brand Director Nike Sportswear. He played a key role in some important campaigns and product launches. He worked on the Nike Tech Pack. the 2012 Olympics, and Nike by you (which most people may know as Nike I.D.).

“I don’t want that exclusivity of product to

translate into exclusivity of talent and opportunity”

Check out the clip above to hear Les talk about breaking down barriers to breaking into the industry. Visit Sneaker Essentials to find out if a career in sneakers is right for you – and for more knowledge from former Nike Marketing Manager, Les Green.

Yellowbrick Grad Coins ‘Strange on Purpose’ Podcast

Yellowbrick on September 30, 2020

Yellowbrick grads have done some pretty cool things after course completion. They waste no time putting their talents and credentials to work. Whether it’s designing a custom drop for Nike, curating a makeup museum or getting their first writing credit on a song, YB grads are on the ground putting their skills to good use. Sneakerschool grad Izzy Lugo is another dope example. He teamed up with Quentin Allums to craft the  Strange on Purpose podcast.

Strange on Purpose – Urban Misfit Adventures is a podcast that has something for everybody. Hosted by Izzy Lugo / @itsizzylugo and Quentin Allums / @tagjustq, their pod conversations are a great way to “pick people’s brains” simply by listening. Hearing the story of someone’s journey and identifying with the parts that resonate is a key motivator. It is always interesting to hear about a person’s grind, drive and setbacks that got them to where they are today.

One of their most recent guests, Susan Boyle, is an industry expert in Sneaker Essentials. She was one of the experts that Izzy Lugo came across in the course. The 3 met up on the pod for “Women In Sneakers” Episode 9 and had a great conversation about her career experiences. Lugo also reached out to Yellowbrick and scored an episode with Dion Walcott, the VP of Brand Partnerships. Click below to listen to Episode 9 and catch up with all the shows on either Anchor, Spotify, or Apple.

If you are interested in taking your first steps towards the job of your dreams, visit yellowbrick.co to find out how.  

YB Faves: Top 5 Podcasts in Yellowbrick’s Rotation

Yellowbrick on September 29, 2020

If podcasting is something you’ve always wanted to get into, today (well, tomorrow) is the perfect time to start. While blogs and digital publications have flourished, podcasts have become a really cool alternative to sharing content. There are so many to choose from and it is easy to get hooked. When going back and forth to work was a thing, podcasts helped make the commute time a little less tedious. You could listen on the walk to the train, on the train, and on the walk to the office at the push of a button. 

Podcasts are a great way to tell a story and provide detailed information on a variety of topics. The Yellowbrick student, faculty, and industry expert community is stacked with people who are the voices of quite a few podcasts in rotation. Some of Yellowbrick grads, current students, and university faculty are lending their ideas and conversations to some very popular podcasts. Since International Podcast Day is coming up, September 30th, we took some time to compile a list of our favorites below. Each podcast comes with a description with links on where and how you can access them. All of the episodes featured in this post can be listened to at the bottom of the page.

The Complex Sneaker Podcast co-hosted by Joe La Puma, Brendan Dunne, and Matt Welty engage in heavy sneaker conversation. The trio are no strangers to sneakers nor our audience as they are seen as industry experts in the Sneaker Essentials sneaker course. Their latest episode includes an in-depth convo with Gary Aspden, the adidas OG. He talks about meeting Kanye and what it took to create the Spezial. Aside from this latest episode, they have a solid archive of conversations to choose from. Click here to listen. 

Find Your Dream Job podcast by Mac Prichard is a great way to get some solid career advice. If trying to find the job of your dreams is something you have been trying to achieve, this is the podcast for you. This weekly podcast is all about sharing insider hiring info and tips on the job search that could prove to be helpful in any career. His latest episode, How to dine the Side Door at HR features Dana Pratt, the founder of DCP Training and Talent Development. Her company is the go to to help employers with performance consulting, leadership development, and talent management. Click here to listen.

Renaissance Soul podcast hosted by Kelly “K-Fresh” Frazier is the home for all things Detroit hip-hop and music. What launched as a digital hip-hop website back in 2001, is now an audio podcast with the same content just a different output. The pod recently re-launched in August and led with Detroit’s own Dan Charnas, NYU professor and music journalist who is the go-to for all things Detroit/J-Dilla related. To check out the pod and Dan’s episode, click here.

How to Share podcast is a hospitality focused podcast that discusses storytelling, travel, and marketing in the travel industry. Host Amy Draheim is a marketing maven in the hotel industry and presents new and innovative ways to market hotels and travel destinations. Drahiem also owns and creates content for The Traveler’s Journey, which provides blogging tips, trip storytelling, and how to make the most of your IG feed when traveling. She recently sat down with Moniqua Lane to discuss how she started in hospitality, her efforts to create one-of-a-kind guest experiences, and her efforts to keep her property open despite the current vibe of the country. Click here to listen.

Unravel is a weekly podcast operated by Dana Goodin, Jasmine Helm and Joy Davis. The trio create content that is geared towards educating people about the importance of fashion in the history and current culture of the world. One of their goals is to encourage conversation about these topics within their digital platform community. They are women with a plethora of scholarly knowledge and do a great job of presenting it to their audience. Their goals are to, “collaborate with experts, in their field, to expand the conversation, speak beyond the canon of traditional fashion media and history, and be on the “frontline” of solidifying fashion history as a serious subject to study and learn”. Click here to listen.

“So I Could…” | Miguel Feliz

Yellowbrick on September 11, 2020

Sneaker Essentials graduate Miguel Feliz gives his take on the course in his Testimonial video featured above. Press play to watch what he had to say!

Name: Miguel Feliz
Course: Sneaker Essentials
IG Handle: @spidermigz

I enrolled in Sneaker Essentials so I could..
continue to learn more about the industry I plan to pursue a profession in, regardless of whether my plan is successful or not.

Where are you working now?
Right now, I am a Seasonal Athlete at the Nike House of Innovation on 5th Avenue. Previously I had an unpaid internship at Staple Pigeon.

How did the course prepare you for working in the sneaker industry?
There wasn’t any rock that was left unturned really. The course covered everything that needed to be covered in the process of coming out with product, at least to my understanding. I learned about crucial aspects when it comes to the actual manufacturing of a sneaker, the history of footwear, and how to market a product alike. I came into the course knowing I love sneakers, but now because of the course,I now know that I love to tell stories and I want to use sneakers as the medium in which I tell those stories from a marketing perspective.

What assignment, course, and/or instructor sticks out in your mind or taught you something valuable?
The sneaker design project was really fascinating and nerve racking at first. I was afraid to tackle the challenge at first but eventually I came up with a great story to tell which was reflected on the design. Throughout the course of completing the assignment, I learned how to use Adobe Illustrator and found a new hobby in making sneaker templates to create custom colorways in my free time.

How did the partnership with the Fashion Institute of Technology for Sneaker Essentials affect your choice to take the program?
It played a big role. I actually wanted to attend FIT so to be involved with the school and sneakers alike is a good look for me.

Has your experience in Sneaker Essentials impacted your career at all yet, and if so, how?
It played a role in my interview process for Nike. It helped bolster my resume and show that I was really serious about getting involved in the industry one way or another.

What would you say to a friend or fellow sneakerhead about Sneaker Essentials?
If you really love sneakers as much as you say you do or want to learn something new, this course is for you. No question about it.

Reebok x Yellowbrick Want You to #WriteYourLegacy

Yellowbrick on August 11, 2020

“Legacy isn’t just what you leave behind, it’s what you create” – #WriteYourLegacy

Reebok silhouettes have a solid place in sneaker culture history. From the colorful 5411s that got their name because of their price plus tax to the Iverson legacy that followed him even after his career ended, their silhouettes and styles tell stories that will live on forever. There is so much to be said about creating something that’ll have a permanent place in the history of sneaker culture. Sneaker culture has been carefully curated for years. Whether it is a shoe design or an editorial written about a moment, playing a role in shaping the culture is epic. If you are a High School student with a design dream who wants to earn his/her spot in sneaker culture, this contest is for you. 

Reebok and Yellowbrick have teamed up to help give young designers a chance to earn their spot in sneaker history. Fifteen High School students will have a chance at a mentorship opportunity with Xavier Jones, one of Reebok’s leading designers. Aside from an amazing mentorship opportunity, the chosen fifteen will also have a chance at a two-month apprenticeship with the brand and a chance to reimagine an iconic Reebok Classics silhouette. The application is open until April 15, 2020 @ 5pm EST. If you are a high school student or know a high school student who is ready to get their design on, click here to apply.

If a career in sneakers is something that you are interested in, visit Sneaker Essentials for more information. 

MARTkd: How To Become A Sneaker Designer

Yellowbrick on June 10, 2020

Exclusive Conversation | MARTk’d Series: Episode 1 of 6

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Sneaker Design is probably the most popular career choice for people that want to work in the sneaker industry. Design has evolved over time and we have seen everything from innovative new silhouettes to daring collabs. Daring colorways are pushing the envelope and the classics are making a comeback with a twist. All of these things happen because of the designer and the ideas that they bring to the table. Episode 1 of the MARTk’d Webinar Series will tell you everything you need to know to get in the game.  

The MARTk’d live series kicked off with How To Become A Sneaker Designer. Supported by Pensole, Yellowbrick’s Dion Walcott had a live conversation with Director/Artist/Designer Alexander John, and Dr. D’Wayne Edwards (Founder of Pensole Academy). If sneaker design is something that you’re passionate about then this is the conversation for you. They dropped gems for people who are looking to get into design and how to become relevant in the space. To see the replay, you can sign up for the viewer link by dropping your email address in the space provided above. If you are ready to take your next steps in design, whether it’s in the sneaker industry or fashion/streetwear industry, visit Yellowbrick.co to find out how.

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