Preview
  • The Cobbler

  • How I Disrupted an Industry, Fell from Grace, and Came Back Stronger than Ever
  • By: Steve Madden
  • Narrated by: Steve Madden
  • Length: 5 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (68 ratings)

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The Cobbler

By: Steve Madden
Narrated by: Steve Madden
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Publisher's summary

Everyone knows Steve Madden's name and his shoes, but few are familiar with his story. Over the past 30 years, Steve Madden has taken his eponymous shoe company from the fledgling start-up he founded with a mere $1,100 to a global, multibillion-dollar brand. But Madden's mistakes, from his battle with addiction to the financial shortcuts that landed him in prison, are as important to his story as his most iconic shoes. In this raw, intimate, and ultimately inspiring book, Madden holds nothing back as he shares what it took to get here and the lessons he's learned along the way. From his unconventional hiring strategies to his slavish devotion to product, Madden offers a business perspective that is as unique as his styles. In The Cobbler, listeners are treated to the wild ride though his rise, fall, and comeback. But they will also walk away uplifted by a man who has owned up to his mistakes and come back determined to give back and use his hard-won platform to create positive change.

©2020 Steve Madden (P)2020 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
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What listeners say about The Cobbler

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great story of perfect imperfection

I love books that are red by their offer. They just seem to have more passion.! felt like this book was extremely honest great business insight was sad when the book was over

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Honest

Interesting story I didn’t know much about before. The reading is a little rushed but still entertaining.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting listen. Not that great of a narration

Keep finishing them thank God.
I had always been a fan of Steve Madden’s shoes and bags. I never knew about his shenanigans with stocks even after watching the Wolf of Wall-street 🤣 the book is narrated by him and the narration even though exciting because he’s talking about his life, is monotone with no pauses read straight through and just flat.
The story is very interesting. A man with ADHD built a shoe empire.
He also talks about his time in prison and how he employed several fellow inmates at Steve Madden once they were all free.
I had not noticed until a couple of years back that the shoes are knock-offs of different popular brands and he admits to this in the book! Says “everyone” does it 🤷🏼‍♀️🤔
It was a cool and interesting listen. I don’t agree with the plagiarism tho

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

enjoyed it thoroughly

had to get used to his voice but it is a truly great life story

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it!

Loved that the chapters were named after the different components of shoes! Reminded me of the reason why I fell in love with footwear design & my love for it. This is a story I truly needed to hear right now and grateful that it was shared- a fellow cobbler :)

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Loved the story

This was an in-depth story full of ups and downs. I appreciate how vulnerable and real Steve was as he told his story. I would recommend it to any entrepreneur and enjoyed reading it and learning from his story.

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Great Story!

I thought this would be a ‘boy works hard, gets in trouble, becomes a success’ story but is so much more than that. Steve Madden is very descriptive on all of his feelings and reactions all through his ups and downs of building his business. I truly was amazed on how much I enjoyed his story. I highly recommend this book, it’s a passionately written memoir and very enjoyable.

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Very entertaining and a great listen!

I was completely engrossed in Steve’s voice and his story. Especially as an 80’s-90’s kid it was great to hear about some of the shoes but also what was going on in the background. Highly recommend!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Must read/listen!

As an inspiring shoe designer, this was a must read. I grew up wearing Steve’s shoes and I still purchase a pair from time to time, but I had no idea that Steve had such an amazing story to tell. I’m not much of a reader but I could not stop listening to this book. 10/10 read/listen to this book!

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There is more to Steve Madden than just shoes!

It is interesting to hear what goes on behind the scenes at a fashion house. I enjoyed hearing his words in his voice!

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