Soletron Exclusive: Industry Titan Series – Interview with AND1 Founder Tom Austin, Part II (Video)

Here is part two of our first interview in our "Industry Titans" series, in which we highlight the best of the sneakerhead and streetwear game. We will be covering special individuals that have changed the fabric of the industry. This includes entrepreneurs, designers, creative directors, bloggers, executives and athletes that have truly left a mark on the game.

This is the second part of our interview with Tom Austin who is co-founder of AND1. In this part we hear about why Tom decided to leave the company he helped create from the trunk of a car to $200 million a year business, what he has been up to since then, as well as his involvement with Soletron. See Part I of our interview, if you haven't already read this great series, brought to you by Soletron, your sneakerhead destination.

Interview

Why did you decide to leave the company?

"A few things.

First, I did it around 10 years. And those were dog years – at least some of them. That's a long time. I wanted to try new things.

Second. I had some money. We all did. I was around 30, single and used to living out of a 1 room apt. I didn't think I would need that much money in my life. I couldn't imagine having kids, etc. at that point and how it would change things.

Third. Can't really say I decided. I was just completely dog-tired — physically, emotionally and spiritually. I had an undiagnosed Gluten allergy – it's called Celiac disease – that was leading to what was basically severe malnutrition. I had lost a lot of weight and was super worn down and didn't know why. So part of this had a physical basis, my body literally just couldn't absorb nutrients any more based on what was I eating.
I had also flown back and forth to Asia so much that my sleep was all out of whack and I had stopped having fun and it had become a job.

Part of this was because I was a young owner / manager and didn't build infrastructure and hire aggressively and well enough. We were all very young. I also was so young in my career (still just around 30 or 31), that I didn't communicate as well as I could or should have.

AND 1 had never been about t

he money for me. I had loved AND 1 with all of my being. When I woke up and it HAD become about the money (and it did), it was definitely time to go. I only wish I had either been able to take a step back and work less earlier on or had been able to exit a little more gracefully and gradually."

Are you still connected to your founding partners at AND1?

"In one sense we will always be connected – like brothers or family. But in the day-to-day reality – no. Not at all really. I wish them all well and check in to see what they are up to on the internet and stuff from time to time, but we don't really talk much. I am out in LA and we all have new lives."

What do you think of how current execs are running your baby?

"No comment. I am not involved at all and don't pay any attention."

When did you know that you "made" it? What was the tipping point?

"When we got an order in year 1 or so and were in all FOOTLOCKERS nationally — and then we sold out. I thought, wow, we've got a shot here. Then, when the second Marbury shoe, a shoe I had worked on – got into all Footactions nationwide and sold through very well at a reasonably high / premium price point – I felt we were in the game for real."

Who in the business world do you look up to and respect the most?

"In a general sense, I respect people with great passion and energy who are willing to chase a dream. That's always very cool. Life is so short, we need people with passion and creativity.

In terms of areas, I have the most respect for people who give back. People that create world, class organizations that treat their people as human beings first and foremost and are engaged with their communities and try to make the world a little more positive. I respect the heck out of social entrepreneurs and people fighting to innovate to create products that really matter – like new models of education – say someone like Ashoka or Citizen schools or KIPP or New Leaders for New Schools. I may not always agree with all their choices, but I really respect them.

What someone like Gates is doing with his foundation, that's spot on. You want a big challenge, you have a big ego, you want to be remembered – try to improve and better lives.
AND 1 did give a decent chunk of profits back. Some of my partners really fought for that.

Some of my former partners are trying to start a new class of organization, something called a B-corporation. They are worth looking up and looking into."

What have you been doing since you left AND1?

"Got married. Married up. She's a better person than me right now and I still learn from her daily. She's incredibly selfless. We have two great kids. Amazing.

I'm still trying to figure out how to be a dad, husband, professional, citizen, etc. Balancing everything is hard. I think that's a life-long deal. I have new respect for everyone who has kids and works – wow! I can't even imagine being a single parent. I also want to give back in a real way — in ways that fit me.

What are you currently working on?

"I am working on a few things that keep me really busy. Fatherhood. That's a big one. The best – most fun, most inspiring — and toughest thing to do well that I've ever tried. I think I'm getting good at it – but still have big room to grow.

Professionally, I am launching an LA based digital design boutique with a great group of really talented young storytellers. We are working on a big pitch now – that's also fun.
I was and am amazed by how much young talent there is in LA and I have learned that I really love to tell stories. Stories have so much power to shape how we construct and see ‘reality.' History, religion, politics and – yes, commercials – they are all really sort-of about creating deep emotional connection supported by powerful narrative structures.

And I love working with creative people — all topics are ‘in bounds.' People want to explore and connect with what it means to be a human being – all of it, even the messiness. That's fun and refreshing.

Longer-term, I would love to make films and/or premium TV – and tell stories that matter, stories that inspire, move, elevate and entertain – you know, just explore the human condition in really fun ways – comedy, drama, the whole nine."

What do you think of the current sneakerhead market compared to that of the 1990s?

"I didn't pay too much attention to it until about 3 months ago when I started getting back into this space — advising you guys at Soletron and working on a few other digital marketing projects. The one thing I have been a little surprised about is how little has really changed. The technologies have gotten somewhat better and the manufacturing processes and materials have improved – and the designers are all still really talented — but conceptually – it seems that little has really changed – good clean aesthetics and lightweight, flexible, comfort."

Aside from work, what charities and social causes are important to you?

"Education. The environment. An understanding of mind.

Those are the big ones.

We have major educational issues in America and world – both in terms of the fact that our system is failing to do what it is designed to do and, in terms of the fact that what it is designed to do is now largely outdated given both the new form of the current / future world economy and the major issues that we face as a global human species.

Sorry to be a downer – but reality can hurt. There are so many people on the planet (from 1.6 billion in 1900 to 8-10 billion projected in a few decades). Each person is consuming more and more — energy, things, stuff. We may be either currently or very nearly beyond the carrying capacity of the biosphere – and that is why we are seeing mass extinctions, severe deforestation, dying of fish and corral reefs, etc. Species are dying at an unprecedented rate. If we don't deal with that, we may not have time to fix all the other issues – poverty, racism, social inequality, etc.

Bottom line: We consume too much and that is only growing – as developing countries strive to copy the US and businesses try to figure out more and more ways to create disposable happiness on demand.

At root, we need to really alter what we ‘sell' and ‘market' and the types of careers that people want to go into. However, I am an optimist – a relentless one. People are smart and, at their core, cooperative and compassionate. It might take a major event to focus us – but we are gonna figure it out."

You are an adviser with Soletron. What attracted you to get involved with Soletron?

"They are a group of young, hungry entrepreneurs working in a sector I know something about. I am approached all the time and rarely take on a formal advisor role.

With them, I waited for 5-6 months to watch then work before agreeing. What I saw were two guys who busted their butts and were making things happen. They have done a lot in a very short time and I expect very strong growth.

I also thought I could both use my market and business knowledge and skills and also help them through my life experience to figure out ways to make Soletron both a successful business and one that matters."

If you could do it all over again, would you?

"I don't believe in looking back only forward. AND 1 gave me a chance to lead, a chance to see the world, I met my wife through my time in Asia, I earned a nest egg that was a safety net for me to study education and then go to film school.

It was a raw, amazing ride. It wasn't always easy and we were lucky. I would be very nervous if my daughters wanted to ‘leave the path' and start a company. As a Dad, I would worry – but I would support them, challenge them and encourage them."

Appreciate you taking the time with Soletron.