Most people know Nike as one of the biggest brands in the world. Few realize the company almost never got off the ground.

In Part 3 of our Nike series, Daniel Wood follows Phil Knight through the most frustrating period of his entrepreneurial journey. After convincing a Japanese manufacturer to work with him, Phil waits an unbelievable 14 months for his first shipment of shoes while everyone around him tells him the business will fail.

Most people would have given up.

Phil didn't.

As the shoes finally arrive, Blue Ribbon Sports begins to take shape. Phil recruits legendary coach Bill Bowerman as his business partner, starts selling shoes from the trunk of his car, lands his first employee, Jeff Johnson, and slowly builds the foundation of what would eventually become Nike.

This episode also reveals one of the most famous moments in sneaker history—the invention of the waffle sole—and why it became the turning point that pushed Blue Ribbon Sports toward creating its own brand.

In this episode, you'll discover:

✔ Why Phil Knight waited 14 months for his first shipment of shoes
✔ How Bill Bowerman became Nike's first great innovator
✔ The simple sales strategy that helped Blue Ribbon Sports grow
✔ Why Jeff Johnson became one of the most important people in Nike's history
✔ The financial struggles that nearly stopped the company from expanding
✔ How the famous waffle sole was invented with a household appliance
✔ Why building slowly often creates stronger businesses than chasing overnight success

This is the story of persistence, patience, and believing in a vision long before anyone else can see it.

If you've ever wondered whether your hard work is taking too long to pay off, Phil Knight's journey is proof that some of the greatest businesses spend years laying the foundation before the world notices them.

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