Lew Kimble - Running For International Dominance

I Took a Hike

Join us on an inspiring journey as we dive into the remarkable life and career of Lew Kimble, the former EVP, and CEO of Footlocker International. In this captivating episode of "I Took a Hike," Lew shares his insights and experiences, offering valuable lessons and stories from his trailblazing path.

We delve into a wide range of topics with Lew, including world jumping, career moves, culture clashes, tough executive decisions, and the power of forgiveness and overcoming regrets. Prepare to be motivated and inspired by Lew Kimble's incredibly successful executive career as we take a hike together.

This episode of "I Took a Hike" is proudly sponsored by Alite Flooring, the leading tri-state flooring, and refinishing contractor. If your floors are showing signs of wear and tear, as if they've taken a few too many hikes, Alite Flooring is here to help. With their expertise in restoring floors to their former glory while prioritizing the environment, Alite Flooring uses eco-friendly, water-based products with low odor and zero VOC. Visit alitefloor.com to discover how they can help you maintain beautiful floors while being mindful of the environment.

In this episode, Lew Kimble takes us on a journey through his life, starting from a small town in Northeastern Pennsylvania and leading to his incredible career spanning over 40 years. From his humble beginnings as a salesperson at Kenny Shoes, Lew made bold moves and pivotal decisions that shaped his path to success.

His journey led him to Footlocker, where he faced skepticism from others who doubted the potential of the athletic shoe industry. However, Lew's determination and belief in the power of taking risks paid off. He played a significant role in the growth of Footlocker, both in the United States and internationally.

Lew shares stories from his time in Europe, where he took on the role of VP of Operations for Footlocker Europe and later as the head of real estate and store development. His international assignments in the Netherlands and Australia broadened his horizons and provided valuable experiences in expanding Footlocker's presence globally.

Throughout his career, Lew Kimble cultivated three guiding principles that influenced his leadership style: being aggressive and playing offense to achieve success, striving for excellence and execution in all aspects of the business, and treating others with dignity and respect. These principles became the cornerstone of his management philosophy, empowering his teams and fostering a culture of growth and achievement.

Join us as Lew Kimble shares his wisdom, lessons, and inspiring stories from his extensive career. Discover the essence of true leadership and the transformative power of believing in yourself and your team. Get ready to be motivated and enlightened as we explore Lou's remarkable journey on this episode of "I Took a Hike."

Support the show

Contribute to the granola bar fund :)
Follow The Journey on Instagram
Tiktok?
Submit Feedback
Apply to be a guest
Become a Sponsor