Jobs in the sneaker industry are highly coveted, but it's possible to get a foot in the door.
In 2010, shortly before he left Nike, Edwards founded what's become Pensole Lewis College.
More than 500 Pensole alums work in the industry, including at Nike and its Jordan brand.
"It's extremely competitive," said Bimma Williams, a veteran of Nike, Adidas, and Saucony.
In 2011, Sean Williams (no relation to Bimma) and Dee Wells of Obsessive Sneaker Disorder launched SOLEcial Studies, an educational program about the sneaker industry for high-school and college students.