Be Dad as it May

As a private company New Balance doesn’t have to disclose its earnings but it still decided to share them with CNBC. Turns out, in its full fiscal year 2025, New Balance reported $9.5 billion in sales, up 19% from last year and 180% since 2020, which still pales in comparison to Nike’s $40-plus billion even as it struggles. Part of its success — be it small or large, theoretical or practical, fact or fiction — can be attributed to its iconic “Dad Shoe”, the 990, launched in 1982 that became a fashion icon in the 2010s and 2020s and that it is, without a doubt, one of the most comfortable pair of sneakers I have ever owned. I beat to a pulp a good three pairs in the early 2000s — spoiler, I played no role in making them fashionable. [Photo by Ervan M Wirawan on Unsplash]