Michael Rubin, the 23-year old founder of KPR Sports, which
recently purchased Ryka, is interviewed in the current SPORTING
GOODS BUSINESS. Rubin speaks of his plans for the women's
footwear company and why the "cash-strapped" show-maker appealed
to him. Rubin says he believes "the equity in the Ryka brand
name far outweighs the volume of the brand currently." An
immediate goal is to get Ryka "under financial control," with
Steven Wolf of Ellesse having been hired as the company's CFO.
On plans for the Ryka line: "We discontinued the outdoor
category immediately. I don't think it's a category that is
really what Ryka's image and heritage is all about. ... We are
going to enter the running business for spring '97, which we
believe fits very well into Ryka's philosophy." Within six
months to a year, Rubin predicts the signing of a "strong
licensee which we can have a lot of control over or we'll start
to do apparel slowly." Rubin expressed the hope that Ryka will
be able to show the growth "that an Avia had five years ago"
(SGB, 8/95 issue).
