A Step Ahead

Founder and CEO
Shoebuy.com
Boston

Scott Savitz started down the path to revolutionizing the way people shop for shoes more than a decade ago. And Savitz did not tiptoe. The founder and CEO of Shoebuy.com was the first to offer free shipping, free returns and 100 percent price guarantee. These days, Shoebuy is hoping to stay ahead by branching out and adding timely touches like an iPhone app. The payoff? Shoebuy.com is one of the most frequently visited apparel sites.

BizRate has listed Shoebuy.com among its top e-tailers for outstanding service each of the past six years. It offers more than 800,000 products from 1,000 brands, including adidas, Aerosoles, Allen-Edmonds, Johnston & Murphy, K-Swiss, Keds, Stride Rite, Timberland and Tommy Hilfiger. Shoebuy stocks more than 4,000 styles of boots, 7,000 styles of sandals and 5,000 styles of kids’ shoes, along with dress and athletic styles for the whole family. It’s also expanding its footprint by offering apparel, bags and accessories.

You were an English major in college. How did you plan to use that degree?
I didn’t. I just always believed that if you like what you are doing you will do great, and I really enjoyed English.

So what was your first paying job?
Dishwasher at a country club at age 13. It taught me to work hard since the dining room looked like a lot more fun than the kitchen.

Person who most influenced your career?
I was at BancBoston Robertson Stephens for six years. My boss recruited me aggressively. He was never afraid to roll up his sleeves, truly cared about everyone, worked furiously, had fun and was totally passionate about the customer. It is very impactful to work alongside someone who got it.

What’s next for Shoebuy.com?
In the last six months [of 2009] we launched FloraFlora.com, a flower business; designer.shoebuy.com, a designer store; a series of websites we are operating for other brands; a sister site, Product Express, which highlights more than 10,000 products with free shipping for the customer who needs it now; and an iPhone App; and added over 150 great brand partners, bringing us to more than 1,000 brands and $3.5 billion in inventory available for sale on the Shoebuy site. So I really do believe, as long as we are having fun, everything!

What’s motivating or inspiring you?
I have two amazing little girls that inspire me everyday.

What do you take to remind you of home when you’re traveling?
I’m on the road probably 60 days a year. If I’m traveling over a Friday, I have my family meet me for the weekend: Nothing’s better than the real thing.

Favorite pair of shoes?
Probably the pair of adidas Samba shoes I have had since high school, which my wife is nice enough to not have thrown out.

One thing you’d still like to accomplish personally?
A hole in one, although I’d settle for dunking a basketball.

Guilty pleasure?
Hmmmm … a margarita sounds good right now.

Little-known fact about you?
From what my wife tells me, I’m not a great driver.

Favorite book?
“The Catcher in the Rye.”

Favorite spot to visit?
We love Nantucket in the summer. There’s something about being trapped on a beautiful island — although I somehow find myself back at my desk each Monday morning, so I guess I’m not quite Gilligan yet.

Guest at your ultimate dinner party?
I’m going with Steve Jobs, since between the iPod and the iPhone and the iMac he is all over our house anyway.

You could never have too many ...
I think I’m supposed to say shoes.