# HIBT Lab! Saysh: Wes and Allyson Felix

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-03-16
- Length: 50m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-16-hibt-lab-saysh-wes-and-allyson-felix

## Summary

Allyson Felix and her brother Wes Felix discuss leaving Nike after a contract offer that cut her pay by 70% and lacked maternal protections, leading them to found the footwear brand Saysh. They reveal that major shoe brands design women's shoes on men's lasts, prompting Saysh to build footwear specifically for women's feet. The episode details their journey from Allyson's Olympic gold medal in Tokyo to securing Series A funding and expanding the brand's mission to serve women holistically.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-16-hibt-lab-saysh-wes-and-allyson-felix#t=0) Introduction: Allyson and Wes Felix
- [1:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-16-hibt-lab-saysh-wes-and-allyson-felix#t=105) Allyson's Track Career and Wes Becoming Her Agent
- [19:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-16-hibt-lab-saysh-wes-and-allyson-felix#t=1179) The Nike Contract Dispute and Pregnancy
- [29:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-16-hibt-lab-saysh-wes-and-allyson-felix#t=1791) The New York Times Op-Ed and Leaving Nike
- [35:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-16-hibt-lab-saysh-wes-and-allyson-felix#t=2142) The Origin Story of Saysh and the 'Men's Last' Discovery
- [45:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-16-hibt-lab-saysh-wes-and-allyson-felix#t=2717) Building the Olympic Shoe and Future Vision

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Saysh (product)
- Nike (company)
- Adidas (company)
- Athleta (company)
- New York Times (other)
- Serena Williams (other)
- Joe Smoller (other)
- Michael Johnson (other)
- Mike Friton (other)
- Bill Bowerman (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [006: Customizable swimwear with Kelsey Duffy of Versakini](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-04-19-006-customizable-swimwear-with-kelsey-duffy-of-versakini) (Product Startup)
- [026: Developing Shoes with Removable Heels, Tanya Heath of Tanya Heath Paris](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-11-08-026-developing-shoes-with-removable-heels-tanya-heath-of-tanya-heath-paris) (Product Startup)
- [Founder Feature: Tabi and Meena Hoshmand of Tursh](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-11-14-founder-feature-tabi-and-meena-hoshmand-of-tursh) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [How Stylish Steel-Toe Shoes are Empowering Women in Industry | An Interview with Xena Workwear CEO Ana Kraft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2019-12-09-how-stylish-steel-toe-shoes-are-empowering-women-in-industry-an-interview-with-x) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 1 - Rich Brilliant Willing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-08-19-afterschool-podcast-episode-1-rich-brilliant-willing) (Core77 Podcast)

## Citing this page

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