# Designing shoes for women's feet with Wes and Allyson Felix of Saysh (2023)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2024-01-11
- Length: 51m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-11-designing-shoes-for-womens-feet-with-wes-and-allyson-felix-of-saysh-2023

## Summary

Allyson Felix, the most decorated American track and field athlete, and her brother Wes Felix explain how they founded Saysh, a footwear brand designed specifically for women's feet, after Nike offered Allyson a contract renewal with a 70% pay cut and no maternal protections. They detail the decision to leave Nike, write a New York Times op-ed, and self-fund the development of a custom Olympic spike using former Nike designers who believed in their mission. The episode covers the discovery that major brands design women's shoes on men's lasts, the technical challenges of creating a true women's last, and the launch of Saysh's lifestyle and running shoes with an $8 million Series A round.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-11-designing-shoes-for-womens-feet-with-wes-and-allyson-felix-of-saysh-2023#t=0) Introduction: Allyson and Wes Felix and the origin of Saysh
- [2:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-11-designing-shoes-for-womens-feet-with-wes-and-allyson-felix-of-saysh-2023#t=154) Wes Felix's early career and becoming Allyson's agent
- [14:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-11-designing-shoes-for-womens-feet-with-wes-and-allyson-felix-of-saysh-2023#t=860) Allyson Felix's Olympic success and Nike sponsorship
- [20:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-11-designing-shoes-for-womens-feet-with-wes-and-allyson-felix-of-saysh-2023#t=1228) The Nike contract dispute and pregnancy discrimination
- [30:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-11-designing-shoes-for-womens-feet-with-wes-and-allyson-felix-of-saysh-2023#t=1840) The New York Times op-ed and leaving Nike
- [36:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-11-designing-shoes-for-womens-feet-with-wes-and-allyson-felix-of-saysh-2023#t=2192) The decision to build their own shoe company
- [40:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-11-designing-shoes-for-womens-feet-with-wes-and-allyson-felix-of-saysh-2023#t=2449) Designing the Olympic spike and finding the women's last
- [47:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-11-designing-shoes-for-womens-feet-with-wes-and-allyson-felix-of-saysh-2023#t=2870) Saysh's Series A funding and product lines

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [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)
- USC (other)
- New York Times (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [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: Matt Jacobs and Kristen Doyle of Pedestrian Project](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-07-12-founder-feature-matt-jacobs-and-kristen-doyle-of-pedestrian-project) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [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)
- [122: The Last Detail with Chase Reeves](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-03-24-122-the-last-detail-with-chase-reeves) (Thoroughly Considered)

## Citing this page

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