Check out Nick's other interviews:Nick V.: Hi Paul, thanks for talking with me and Styleforum. Tell us about your background.What was your position at Goldner, Hawn, Johnson & Morrison?What made you to decide to become CEO of Allen Edmonds?When Goldner Hawn acquired AE, what was the planned strategy for AE?What was it that made AE an attractive acquisition?There is a common line of thinking that when an investment firm acquires a company, they will cut costs to reduce expenses and pare everything down in order to increase the bottom line. This in order to satisfy returns expected by private equity investors. I read in the case of Goldner Hawn and AE the plan was to focus on growing the business instead. Your comments?How would you describe the state of AE at the time of your acquisition?And now?How many employees did AE have at the time of the acquisition? What was the yearly production? 10. How many employees are there presently? Present yearly production?During the prolonged economic downturn, you managed to steadily grow your business. What are the key factors you attribute that to?What are the most important things you have learned since becoming the CEO and President of AE?Describe your theory of relationships regarding price-points, quality, and quantity of the AE line.How is AE expanding into the global market?How is that expansion being received?How important is customer input to you?How would you describe your customer service personnel and policies?Your comments on quality control?How would you describe the morale in the factory?Describe your market. Past, present, and future.What makes AE distinct from its competitors?How would you describe AE's influence in the market?Describe the perfect image you would like the AE customer to have of the company.Rumors tend to fly. Have you heard some rumors that you would like to correct?AE ten years from now?Your hobbies?Favorite pastime?If you had the opportunity to select three dinner quests, past or present, who would they be?Thanks for sharing, Paul!