KENNETH COLE
The Birth of a Shoe Company
- The Birth of a Shoe Company In 1982, Kenneth Cole wanted to start a company. He had an idea, a plan and a line of women’s footwear. What he didn’t have were the resources to get the product in front of potential customers, but he was creative, determined and ingenious.
- He borrowed a truck, loaded it up with samples and parked across the street from the New York Hilton, where all of the big shoe companies were showing their wares. But there was one problem; he needed a permit to park the truck. At the time, only a film company could receive a permit to park a truck in midtown Manhattan. Undaunted, Kenneth promptly changed the name of his company to Kenneth Cole Productions and applied for a permit to shoot a film entitled, “The Birth of a Shoe Company.” In just three and a half days, Kenneth sold over 40,000 pairs of shoes and Kenneth Cole Productions was off and running.
Today, Kenneth Cole products are available in more than 70 countries, and the Company is still named Kenneth Cole Productions to serve as a constant reminder of the importance of resourcefulness, creativity, and innovation.
