Press 1986
The Dynamos.
Brett Kingstone's book on America's top entrepreneurs under 30 gave him a chapter of his own: Jay Adoni of Admos Shoe Corporation.
Photo from The Dynamos by Brett Kingstone, 1986
What the book recorded
At 27, already a manufacturer.
While others called the American shoe industry beyond saving, he was expanding.
Admos Shoe Corporation
- Employees
- 250+
- Sales, 1986
- $20M+
Company sales, not personal income.
Buying while others closed
As competitors shut their factories, he expanded, buying their equipment and inventory at liquidation sales.
Always something new
His secret, the book said, was constantly offering customers an array of new styles. He and his staff travelled to Europe often to stay on top of fashion.
The method
Three days, Italy to salesman.
His team is in a shoe store in Italy.
Back in the factory, with photographers.
New shoes in the salesmen's hands.
You got to be able to move fast to notice the new hot styles.
Jay Adoni, quoted in The Dynamos
Customer list, 1986
Sold where America shopped.
- Nordstrom
- Bloomingdale's
- Macy's
- Bullock's
- Dayton Hudson