Allison Gettings, CEO of Red Wing Shoe Co., on proving herself

Off the Record

Even though Red Wing Shoe Co. is her family’s business, it wasn’t always clear to Allison Gettings that she would eventually become the company’s CEO. She had to prove herself, and she faced her first test during her college years, Gettings explains on this episode of the Off the Record podcast.

“It was a tough few years in the sense that, like any 20-year-old, I’m doing grunt work, which is exactly what I should have been doing,” Gettings says. “It was the right place to start. That doesn’t mean it was fun.”

Gettings takes a deep dive into her career journey with hosts Kathy Robideau, market president and publisher of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, and Dave Faust, president and CEO of Platinum Bank. Listen to the episode to hear more about:

• Wrestling with feelings of the heavy responsibility as part of to the family organization.
• Creating a women’s shoe brand from scratch — and putting it to rest after learning some key lessons.
• COVID-19’s effect on the Red Wing’s operations.
• Honoring the company’s 119-year legacy while keeping up with current consumer tastes.
• Why Getting considers employees, communities and future generations in her business decisions.

Leaders like Gettings understand the value of moving quickly and acting creatively, just like Platinum Bank. Learn more about business banking with a different kind of bank.