This week I am joined by Tara aka Copemnrockem, we talk about her love for Jordan 11's. How she became copemnrockem, her ambition to own her own sneaker store. How cookies got her a job at Jordan Brand, being a Jordan Historian. Making the choice to bet on herself, and the brands she has worked with. Where her inspiration to be a go getter comes from and much more. 

 Where to find Tara:    

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@copemnrockem 

Twitter/X: https://x.com/CopEmNRockEm 

Hometeam Talent: https://www.hometeamtalent.com/   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/



Chapters:

00:00 - The Cool Grey 11s Story

01:03 - Introduction to Tara and the Podcast

04:59 - Sneaker Culture Collaboration and Authenticity

07:11 - What's Your First Kicks? Tara's Story

12:38 - The Importance of Family Support

16:41 - Early Career and Tier Zero Boutiques

21:05 - Networking and Relationships in the Industry

26:05 - Complex Con and Brand Events

27:24 - Hustle and Family Inspiration

33:20 - Learning the Skill of Networking

38:30 - The Entitlement Issue in Social Media

45:00 - Crazy Sneaker Stories and Early Career Struggles

51:00 - Advice to Younger Self & Reflections on Success

Why We Cop Em And Rock Em With COPEMNROCKEM

This week I am joined by current state senator and mayoral candidate Zellnor Myrie. We speak about his journey with sneakers, what it was like collecting kicks for him. How one trip to Yonkers created the itch for more. The flip that switched to want to create change. How the Knicks hurt us, why Mayor Adams spent money our money on them. What he is trying to do and what he is running for mayor for. Plus so much more!  

Where to find Z:    

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@zellnormyrie 

Website: https://www.zellnor.nyc/    

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

The Real Sneaker Mayor with Zellnor Myrie

This week I am joined by Zane, we talk about his adventures in graffiti. How he got into reselling and sneaker cleaning. How he went viral for making a fake post for a Supreme drop. Being outside for drops and how he was able to secure pairs. Pursuing art full-time and what he has been able to accomplish and so much more!  

Where to find Zane:    

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@zanestyles 

Website: https://www.zanestyles.com/    

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

Supreme Email Hoax with Zane

This week I am joined by Jeff & Eric who are ItsTheReal, we talk about their sneaker stories. How The Blog Era Podcast success has propelled them, how working with The Lox happened. The legendary convo's they had in their old apartment, and people who didn't wanted to leave. Wild moments in their lives that pertain to sneakers and much much more!  

Where to find Eric & Jeff:   

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@itsthereal 

2J2BD Podcast:  ⁨@itsthereal⁩  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCbqiZG6dtSZFfEW22qZ_2Uw]    

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

The Blog Era's Sneaker Podcast with ItsTheReal

This week, I am live from the Unheardof Brand event. I get to sit down with AD and recap why the video and audio came out so bad for the live show. I also get to sit down and catch up with Andy, Aaron, Phil, Elaina, and Melissa. As we get to talk ask them what does the Grandma Couch 2 and the collaboration means to them. How they are impacted by this release and how much they love the shoe. Also I asked each guest if they could share a sneaker story about the matriarch in their family. This Grandma's Couch 2 release was one for the ages and I hope I was able to capture and make up for the live show that I took away from the feed!

Where to find Phil:   

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@unheardofbrand 

Website: https://unheardofbrand.com/  

Where to find Sneaky Leak: IG: https://www.instagram.com/@sneakyleakpod 

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@sneakyleakpod

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

Grandma's Couch 2 Release with Philip Lipshutz & More

This week I am joined by KJ and we got right into the current state of sneakers. How she got into kicks, how she moves around the space. Her time working with startups, taking over Common Ace. Being able to be on the beach and being known as the Carry on Queen. Also we touch on what the sneaker scene in Toronto is like. How each store interacts with each other and much more!  

Where to find KJ:    

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@beachykj  

Common Ace: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@commonace 

Shop: https://commonace.com/   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

This is For The Sneaker Girlies with KJ

This week JP pulls up to the pod, we connect on growing up in Queens. Share some old Queen Center stories, how JP ended up working at All The Right. The way All The Right connects graffiti and sneakers. He also brings some kicks to show off before they drop. Plus we talk about how sneakers has influenced him and things he wants to see being the Manager of ATR.   

Where to find JP:   

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@justjpsworld  

All The Right: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@alltheright 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alltheright98⁩  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCfoVOIR_PLhZKC_-3cvVW3A]  

Shop: https://alltheright.com/   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

Queens Center Sneaker Stories with JP

This week Alfred Banks returns to the podcast, we last spoke almost 4 years ago when I first started the podcast. We catch up on the accomplishments we have achieved since then. I also touch on my time in Cincinatti for the Piggy Runners Adistar release. Alfred talks about the creation of SaxKixAve and their upcoming album. Also performing at the Super Bowl and the path his has carved since his last appearance.  

Where to find Alfred:      

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alfredbanks⁩  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCpUqsDkwKmrSziO26A-9b7Q] 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@underdogcentral

X: https://x.com/underdogcentral 

SaxKixAve: https://www.saxkixave.com/  

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

The Places Sneakers Take Us, Alfred Banks Returns

This week I am joined by Dj Ominaya, we talk about growing up in the Bronx. Where his love for sneakers started, how he started DJing. Where his hustle comes from and where his love for hip hop came from. How he and A Boogie with The Hoodie connected. How he is able to work with him and Lola Brooke. How everything comes back to sneakers and much much more!  

Where to find DJ Ominaya:      

IG: https://www.instagram.com/@djominaya 

X: https://x.com/djominaya 

Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/djominaya   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

From The Bronx to The O2 Arena with DJ Ominaya

This week LIFEOFTHOM, pulls up to the podcast and we talk about his journey with kicks. The bubbling current New York rap scene, how he has been navigating it. Creating community and supporting others that support him. Starting and pursuing music at his age, plus working with On The Radar. We also talk about his producing and his last album Cocotaso. Plus so much more!  

Where to find LIFEOFTHOM:      

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lifeofthom/ 

Website: https://lifeofthom.com/   

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Music by The DoppleGangaz: https://thedoppelgangaz.bandcamp.com/

Red Octobers & Cocotaso's with LIFEOFTHOM

My First Kicks is a podcast with the goal of bringing storytelling back to the sneaker community. Each week your host Hass brings on a guest and ask them. What’s your first kicks? Using this question as a through-line to start a conversation that begins with kicks and goes anywhere possible.

Hass

Shows