Start Making Shoes
Shoemaking Instruction
Online Courses
Jumpstart your career in the footwear business today. The All Access Pass includes complete access to the entire Shoemakers Academy online course catalog.
125 Shoemaking lessons, 35+ hours of video instruction with “The Shoe Dog.” Bonus materials include 5 textbook downloads and instant access to all courses.
$3000 Now $1400
Shoemaking Instruction
Online Courses
What people are saying
Feedback
“Wade is a great teacher. The courses are easy to understand and he delivers his deep shoemaking knowledge with interesting personal anecdotes.”
Jose R.
Footwear Developer
"The Shoe Dog and his team helped us launch our brand. We went from an idea to actual samples in 6 weeks. We shipped our first ocean container after only 5 months and our product is a huge hit after our first year of sales.”
Andrea S.
Brand Owner
“I finally understand how all the pieces of shoemaking come together – it’s like I was right inside the shoe factory."
Jim R.
Future Shoe Designer
"I've read your content and it's fantastic. It's for sure the most thorough content on footwear creation, it's very applicable and it's very exciting that you are developing videos from it."
Dan C.
Founder, Laceless Design
Wade Motawi, "The Shoe Dog"
Meet Our Founder and Lead Instructor
Wade Motawi, a veteran shoe designer with over 25 years of experience, began his career in 1995 by traveling to shoe factories in Asia to study and document shoemaking techniques. He later led teams of footwear designers and developers on training missions to these same factories.
Throughout his career, he has held various roles including designer, developer, product line manager, development group manager, advanced technology group manager, footwear buyer, sourcing manager, and consultant. He has also lived and worked extensively in the far east.
In addition to designing shoes, Wade has also written several highly rated books on the subject of modern shoemaking and founded Shoemakers Academy to share his expertise with others.
Corporate Training
Our modern footwear courses provide your team with in-depth instruction detailing the Shoemaking Process from Design to Development to Mass Production.
Your team can choose OnDemand Video Lectures, Live Zoom Sessions or Schedule In-person instruction with our teachers.
The Shoemakers Academy offers everything you need to jump start your shoemaking education. Text books, hand tools and shoe materials for our students are in-stock now.
Private Coaching and Corporate Training
Our courses and coaching provide your team with in-depth instruction detailing shoemaking from design to development to mass production.
Choose OnDemand video lectures, live Zoom sessions, or schedule in-person instruction with our professionals.
Shoemakers Academy has everything to fast track your shoemaking skills. Textbooks, eBooks, hand tools, shoe materials, and more.
Textbooks & Tools
Shoemaking Store
-
Sale!
Shoemaking Material DIY Super Kit
Reg. Price – Sale Price$199 Add to Cart -
Sale!
Beginners Footwear Pattern Making Kit
Reg. Price – Sale Price$150 Add to Cart -
Sale!
Shoe Last + Outsole Shoemaking Kit
Reg. Price – Sale Price$99 Add to Cart -
Sale!
Air Jordan 1 Style Lasts
Reg. Price – Sale Price$99 Add to Cart
Schools Using Our Course Materials
Where to Find Us
Shoemaking Articles
Blog
Shoe Business Start-Ups: Ask Me Anything (AMA)
Shoe Business Start-Ups: Ask Me Anything (AMA) Free Zoom Event – Register Now It’s Wade, “The Shoe Dog.” Today I wanted to share something I’ve noticed among MANY shoe designers and
Make & Restore Classic Air Jordan 1s
The Air Jordan sneaker was not only a game-changer for the basketball court but also for the world of fashion. The first Air Jordan was released in 1985, and it quickly
How to Make Your Own Air Jordan 1 Sneakers: A DIY Guide
How To Build An Air Jordan 1 Are you a fan of the iconic Air Jordan 1 sneaker and dream of making your own pair? The good news is that
What kind of shoemaker are you?
A quiz about YOU! To make your shoemaking journey easier, please tell us a bit about YOU and your biggest challenges as a shoemaker. We can help. Take the 30-second About YOU discovery quiz.
Your shoemaking questions answered.
We provide both basic and advanced shoemaking knowledge. Every day we receive shoemaking questions from our friends around the world. Here are our best answers to your most frequently asked shoemaking questions.
Fast Track Shoemaking
Live Events
The Shoemakers Academy hosts live and virtual events to meet Wade Motawi, “The Shoe Dog,” and our other instructors. Our shoemaking events cover footwear design, development, and manufacturing. Bring your questions and challenges! See our schedule of upcoming events.