RAY MARGIANO PhD

Ray Margiano PhD is currently the Founder & CEO of Foot Solutions, Inc. He is a true entrepreneur and has started and run 4 successful companies. He is a tireless innovator that loves what he does.

Ray started his career in the corporate world working at Sikorsky Aircraft, Sybron and Textron. He left the corporate world in the early 80’s to start his first franchise venture Heel Quik. Heel Quik grew to a 700 plus international chain in 34 countries.

Ray then started Foot Solutions at the end of 2000 with 3 employees and no funding; by the end of 2008 he grew the company to 250 plus franchise retail operations and a corporate staff of over 50 people with sales in the $100mm range. Foot Solutions is an international franchise focusing on a retail niche between comfort shoe stores and orthopedic facilities with a mantra of “Better Health through your Feet”. Foot Solutions has attractive proper fitting shoes as well as custom arch supports and a complete line of innovative technological shoes. Foot Solutions has already signed agreements in 16 countries with master developers and are projecting 5 new countries per year with a continuing growth rate of 50 new units a year.

Ray has received many awards in business including the 2008 Cobb Chamber Small Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year Atlanta 1994, Blue Chip Award Winner, International Franchise Award for International Excellence, University of New Haven Distinguished Alumni Award and Distinguished Bartels Fellowship Award University of New Haven, twice. He is a frequent speaker on Franchising, Footwear Industry, Pedorthics and Balance Walking.

Ray serves on the American Diabetes Association’s advisory board, is a member of the Board of Governors at University of New Haven and on the Board of Directors for the National Shoe Retailers Association.

Ray’s current memberships include Pedorthic Footwear Association, American Diabetes Association, National Shoe Retailers Association, Board of Certification/Accreditation, International Council for Active Aging and National Sporting Good Association to name a few.

Foot Solutions provides many reach-out programs donating time and money related to children’s obesity, diabetes, the Presidents Challenge program for getting Americans back in shape, retirement community programs and international programs such as the Blue Planet Run for pure drinking water. Foot Solutions is an active participant of Soles4Souls, donating shoes for flood, fire and the needy and is also involved on a national basis on Breast Cancer walks, Heart walks etc, to promote healthier living. Ray’s philosophy for the company and all its associates is to always give something back and to be part of positive change and energy.

Ray Margiano has a BS in Business Administration from the University of New Haven, an MS in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a PhD in International Business Administration from Canbourne University. Ray is also an entrepreneur & author.

In Ray’s spare time he just published a book on Balance Walking – Changing your life in just 15 minutes a day – a small investment for a fuller, healthier, happier lifestyle.