Professional activities
Eneslow, founded in 1909, is the fulfillment of Schwartz’s vision to offer people footwear that provides the benefits of style, comfort, and healthy living. “Happy feet make people happy”. “Comfort is always in fashion at Eneslow”. “Treat your feet like you’ll have them for a lifetime".
Eneslow is a retail shoe store with full-service, sit & fit, comprehensive inventory of footwear and related footcare products in sizes for all foot shapes and disorders, lifestyles, and seasons, physical and athletic activities. Pedorthic multi-generational career professionals operate and service Eneslow customers, clients, and filling prescriptions for patients. Ready-made footwear, orthotics, and foot products In-stock. Custom Foot and ankle orthoses, custom shoe modifications and full footwear customization. Custom-bespoke orthopedic footwear and shoe repair.
The Eneslow Pedorthic Institute (EPI), opened in 1995 to educate healthcare professionals and the public on the benefits of wearing footwear that “feels as good as it looks”.
Courses on conservative foot care, foot health and overall well-being are offered to aspiring and practicing pedorthists, healthcare professionals, shoe designers, wholesalers, retailers, and the public. EPI conducts events on the art and science of pedorthics and how it relates to improving people’s lives. Pedorthic footwear design, therapeutic shoe fitting, pedorthic pre-certification preparation, and retail business training courses are offered in its facilities in New York.
Mr. Schwartz is Executive Director of the Pedorthic Footcare Association, PFA (2022 to present) the professional organization of America’s pedorthists. A past president (1986-1988) he served on their Pedorthic Educator’s Committee from 1985 to 1992, and 2009 to 2010. He served on the membership, marketing and publications committee prior to becoming Executive Director.
Mr. Schwartz is currently an adjunct instructor in the department of orthopedic sciences at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. He has been a faculty member of the pedorthic programs at Ball State University, Florida International University, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York University Medical Center, Northwestern University, Staten Island University, Shoe Service Institute of America, UCLA, and others.
Mr. Schwartz served on the board of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce in New York City from 2009 to 2021. He is credited for the change in Commercial Rent Tax legislation, increasing the rent threshold from $250K to $500K, resulting in reducing taxes to thousands of Manhattan retailers. He was chair of Second Avenue Subway construction committee from 2009 to 2019, helping all businesses and residents deal with ten years of disruption and struggle. He served on the strategic planning committee, helping MCC grow its value to the Community and membership.
His focus is to help merchants, small businesses people in need compete, survive, and thrive.
Eneslow has served the Community by providing free shoes for the needy. It has provided 100,000’s pairs of shoes to organizations and individuals.
Chabad, Council of Concerned Medical Professionals, Funds2Orgs, Grace Church, Grand Central Partnership on East 32nd Street, International Rescue Committee, Soles4Souls, Tender Care Human Services, and others.
Mr. Schwartz was President and, on the board, and executive committee of the 23rd Street Association, a New York City civic and trade organization until it completed its mission and closed in 2009. This included the 23rd Street Community Projects a 501(c)3 Foundation with the theme of Waste Not, Want Not, to advocate on behalf of conservation and preservation. Through his and others’ efforts, the Flatiron Business Improvement District was formed, and has served the community since then.
Mr. Schwartz has published many articles on pedorthics, footwear and related business. These have appeared in Current Pedorthics, Podiatry Management, Biomechanics, PM News, Pedorthic Newswire, Healthy Living from the Ground Up, etc.
For almost fifty years he has had a particular interest and focus on preventing ulcers and amputations of (diabetic) neuropathic feet using conservative treatment approaches. He has lectured on “pedorthic management of diabetic foot disorders” at US Public Health Service Hospital, Carville, LA, PFA annual symposia, NYU Medical Center, and national and regional conferences devoted to the diabetic foot all over the world. He is recognized as a leading expert in diabetic footcare by the medical community and fills prescriptions to prevent and heal ulcers, chronic Charcot deformities and partial foot amputations.
He serves on the board of the Shoe Retailer’s League, an association of local shoe retailers.
Mr. Schwartz served on the Board of the National Shoe Retailers Association (NSRA) from 1995 to 2010, on their strategic planning, nominations committees and as vice chair. He was chair of NSRA’s education committee from 2000 to 2009.
Mr. Schwartz has been a footwear and footcare industry consultant and entrepreneur since 1973. In addition to Eneslow, he has worked with and consulted for many companies and organizations to enhance their business, product, and marketing development. Some of his clients have included Dana Davis, Dansko, Drew Shoe Corp, Durea, Ganter Shoes GmbH, MBT, New Balance, RYN, Silipos, Smartwool, Thorlo, and others. He currently consults for Aetrex Worldwide, Forensis Group, Foot Care Comfort Center in Tokyo, Japan, and Guidepoint Consultants.
During his footwear career he was owner and marketing Director of Apex Foot Health Industries from 1973 to 1982, and Holland Shoe Comfort where Mr. Schwartz and his organization imported and distributed Durea Footwear and other European brands from to the US from 1999 to 2005.
Prior to joining Eneslow, he enjoyed a ten-year career with International Playtex Corp, then headquartered in New York, in sales and marketing management where he helped develop and bring new brands and products to the marketplace and grow existing brands and products.
For recreation, Mr. Schwartz enjoys gardening, walking, hiking, and tennis. His current passion is helping people find their best selves.
Awards
In 1987, Mr. Schwartz received the “Seymour Lefton Award” by the Pedorthic Footcare Association, PFA’s most prestigious honor, for his advancement of the pedorthic profession.
In 2008 he received the “Al Singer Award” by the National Shoe Retailers Association, “in recognition of traits so essential to progress: independence, innovation, perseverance, a quest for challenges, and an unwavering love of humanity.”
In 2009 Eneslow was named “Retailer of the Year” by the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
In 2010 Mr. Schwartz was named “Corporate Hero” by the New York Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation for his participation in the “Arthritis Walk” and educating healthcare professionals and the public on the importance of walking to improve health.
In 2012 Schwartz was recognized by Tender Care Human Services “in recognition of support and dedication to Robert Schwartz from The Laura Vitolo Pastina Art Therapy Program and The Heather on Earth Music Therapy Program."
In 2015 Eneslow was awarded the “Age Smart Employer Award”, an initiative of the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center and NY Academy of Medicine created to “honor workplaces that value workers of all ages. It is funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
In 2019 Eneslow Shoes & Orthotics earned the Footwear Insight Magazine Gold Medal Service Award.
In 2020 Eneslow Shoes & Orthotics received the Congressional Record from US Representative Carolyn B. Maloney for celebrating 110 years serving the Community.
In 2020 NYC Department of SBS Acknowledged Eneslow as one of ten centennial businesses for 111 years of exceptional service to New York City.
In 2020 Robert Schwartz is named OTTY Honoree 2020 for his Business Built on a Strong Foundation.
In 2021 Eneslow Shoes & Orthotics earned the Footwear Insight Magazine Gold Medal Service Award.
Employment history
1955-1956, Miles Shoes, Forest Hills, NY, retail sales
1956-1958, Waldbaums Super Market, management assistant; stockroom and in-store inventory and displays (“dairy-boy”), store cashier
1958-1959, camp counselor, Camp Roosevelt, Monticello, NY (nature and pioneering)
1959-1962, Baker’s Shoes, Syracuse, NY, retail sales
1960-1962, Grossingers Hotel and Resort, Liberty, NY, busboy and waiter
1963-1973, International Playtex Corp, “CPG” sales, and marketing management
1973-1982, Apex Foot Health Industries, owner, marketing director
1973-present, Eneslow Pedorthic Enterprises, Inc., owner, CEO
1999-2005, Holland Shoe Comfort, USA wholesale importer and distributor of Durea, and other European footwear brands
