“So I Could…” | Harrison Davis

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.

Webinar Recap | Breaking Into the Gaming Industry with the Founders of Decoy Games

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When your mom worked at Toys R Us when you were younger and you have access to all the games, it makes sense that you would grow up to have a career in the gaming industry. Brothers Kahlil and Ahmed Abdullah grew up playing video games and ended up launching their own indie game company, Decoy Games. They took their passion for gaming and turned it into a multi-award winning company that is focused on creating unique gaming experiences and encouraging innovation across all aspects of the gaming industry.

We recently sat down with Kahlil and Ahmed to talk about their latest endeavor, Swimsanity, and what it took to get the game created, made, and sold to major video game platforms. They also told us some of the benefits of networking, how to network (even in a pandemic), and the best places to find jobs in the gaming industry. Get ready to take some serious notes and check out the webinar recap video above. For more information on breaking into the gaming & Esports industry, visit yellowbrick.co/gaming.

Press play on the video below to see the Trailer for Decoy Games release, Swimsanity. 

Webinar Recap | Esports & Gaming Careers With Ford Models’ Justin M. Jacobson Esq.

When it comes to starting a career in the gaming and esports industry, there are quite a few options to choose from. Most people think that you have to get top scores on games and have lots of followers to be successful in the gaming industry. While those things may help, there are other ways to turn your passion for esports and gaming into a career and make some money. We recently sat down with Justin M. Jacobson ESQ., an Esports attorney who currently heads the Gaming department at Ford Models. He spoke to us about the different careers and job opportunities in the gaming industry and the type of skills needed to get these jobs. He also spoke about where you can look to find these jobs and gives great tips on how to be successful in your career. Justin also hosts the podcast Preediction, Esport Biz Show. Check out the latest episode here.

After watching this webinar recap above, feel free to visit Yellowbrick.co/gaming to get more information on how you can turn your passion for gaming and esports into the career you want!

Career Spotlight on Former Nike Marketing Manager Les Green

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 Highlights Student Entrepreneurs for National LGBT Month

The Yellowbrick student community is a great place to find budding talent. Our diverse community is a solid blend of students looking to find their place in a career that they love and others who are looking to grow their skillset. Yellowbrick programs are designed to give students the foundation they need to start building towards a career they are passionate about.

In honor of LGBT History Month, we are highlighting the websites and businesses of our LGBTQ student community. We’ve created a space to highlight some of the businesses that were founded by students in our courses. The landing page for these brands can be found here and when you click on the select squares, you can visit the pages and engage in their services. These businesses offer everything from t-shirts to hoodies to recording studios to makeup. This landing page was created to amplify the businesses and services in our Yellowbrick community.

Please take the time to visit the page and take a look at what some of these brands have to offer. There is also a main student businesses page and we will be adding to that list as the year progresses. Be sure to check back in from time to time.

Webinar Recap | April Walker Talks Mental Health & Wellness for “Survive & Thrive” Part 2

The year 2020 has proven to be a lesson for everyone. When January 1st came around, it is fair to say that no one knew what to expect. By March, the world was looking into the unknown without a clue as to what would happen next. Lives changed, daily routines were disturbed and it took a while for people to figure it out. Mental Health is always important but in these trying times, it is a major key. Developing a routine and coping skills to keep a level head is important. Even if your path is carved, developing ways to keep your mental health in check, can do more good, than harm. 

 

In honor of World Mental Health Day (October 10th), we will be revisiting the Survive & Thrive 2 Part Webinar series with Streetwear Essentials contributor and Walkerwear founder, April Walker. For Part 2, she discussed the importance of mental health and wellness in general but more importantly, during these trying times. She touched on what it was like working in the streetwear industry, the toll it took on her and how she was able to maintain and be successful. While everyone has to do what works for them, it is important to share the types of things people can do to stay mentally (and physically) well. Therapy is expensive and not an option for everyone. Meditation, exercise, healthy eating, and other things can lead to a positive road to solid mental health. Listening, taking notes, and applying what could work for you is helpful to start. 

 

Press play on the webinar above. Be sure to bring a pen and paper because the tips are plentiful. 

 

Yellowbrick Grad Coins ‘Strange on Purpose’ Podcast

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

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.

Yellowbrick Highlights Student Entrepreneurs for Hispanic Heritage Month

The Yellowbrick student community is a great place to find budding talent. Our diverse community is a solid blend of students looking to find their place in a career that they love and others who are looking to grow their skillset. Yellowbrick programs are designed to give students the foundation they need to start building towards a career they are passionate about.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are highlighting the websites and businesses of our Latinx student community. We’ve created a space to highlight some of the businesses that were founded by students in our courses. The landing page for these brands can be found here and when you click on the select squares, you can visit the pages and engage in their services. These businesses offer everything from t-shirts to hoodies to recording studios to makeup. This landing page was created to amplify the Hispanic/Lainx businesses and services in our Yellowbrick community.
Please take the time to visit the page and take a look at what some of these brands have to offer. There is also a main student businesses page and we will be adding to that list as the year progresses. Be sure to check back in from time to time.

“So I Could…” | Noelle Nelson Guerrero

Name: Noelle Nelson Guerrero
Course: Fundamentals of Global Sports Management

I enrolled in the Fundamentals of Global Sports Management course so I could..
stay on top of my game and goals towards becoming a knowledgeable Sports Industry Professional.

 

How did the course prepare you for working in the sports industry?
I have acquired great knowledge and feel much more confident in pursuing work and career in sports.

 

How did the partnership with NYU for Fundamentals of Global Sports Management affect your choice to take the program?
The fact that it was offered by NYU was a definite reason for choosing this program because of the access to the faculty, the reputation, and the well established Sports programs it represents. I was happy to be able to attend NYU courses through a well programmed platform residing in another state of California.

 

What is your biggest takeaway from this program?
The program was impressive and informative. I especially appreciate how up to date and current the material is and the visual media incorporated was done very well. I am very appreciative that I was able to enroll in this program with the offer to apply for a partial scholarship to help with the costs. I learned a lot about the history and future of sports and was challenged with the course questions and marketing project which I found to be a great way to apply the material. It was the right amount of required assignments and I didn’t feel too overwhelmed. I’ve acquired and retained good useful information. I like that you can study at your own pace and time to complete the certificate. Such a Great! program for anyone interested in the Sports Industry.

 

What assignment, course, and/or instructor sticks out in your mind or taught you something valuable?
Vince Gennaro lectures and insight about Blockchain in sports. I appreciated the history timeline presentation and courses Media Marketing, Data Analytics and Global Ecosystem both instructors were awesome.

 

What would you say to a friend about Fundamentals of Global Sports Management?
If you are interested in learning about all aspects of the sports industry presented in a relevant, useful well developed presentation of curriculum and delivered by sports industry veterans, true sports professionals and educators this is the course to take, you will enjoy the content and won’t regret the decision to enroll. You will obtain a well earned NYU Certificate to add to your education accomplishments.