#266: Joe Foster – Building Reebok Into A Billion Dollar Empire

Joe Foster is the founder of Reebok.

In this conversation, he discussed the early days (his first 21 years in business), why he never got a job, his most important lesson, the importance of a name, what rapid growth feels like, and what he thinks of his American counterpart, Phil Knight.

(0:00) Welcome Joe

(1:15) World War II

(6:10 Father’s Failing Company

(9:11) Badminton

(11:14) Early Days of Reebok

(21:14) Importance of Name

(25:01) Why Joe Never Got A Job

(33:24) Going To America

(50:57) Angel Martinez

(55:05) $9 Million To $1 Billion In 5 Years

(1:00:51) Giving Up Company

(1:05:11) Phil Knight