Careers · Glendale, AZ · Since 2012
Work on your feet. Help people find theirs.
At Tortoise & Hare Sports you'll spend your shift on the floor with our customers, asking questions, watching how they move and getting down to their feet, until every person walks out in a shoe that fits. If you love fitness, love to smile and want a job that keeps you moving, read on.
Why we do this
Our mission is to encourage, educate, and celebrate a healthy lifestyle while embracing your pace.
We opened in the Arrowhead area in 2012 as a specialty running and walking store. Our customers include marathoners, daily walkers, people on their feet for a 12-hour nursing shift, and people sent by their doctor who just want to walk without pain. Many of them are taking their first steps back toward an active life.
Every one of them gets the same thing from us: a fitter who gets down on the floor, looks at how they actually move, and stays with them until it's right. That's the whole job. It matters more than any sale.
#EmbraceYourPace
Why small business
If corporate life isn't for you, you're in the right place.
Small business is the core of our economy. It's built for people who learn by doing and want every day to be a little different.
We're a locally owned running store in Glendale. For us, it's not about selling products. It's about working together, loving what we do and serving our community, whether a customer is training for a local race or going for a walk.
- Learn by doingYou'll learn through real experience with people, products and processes, not a corporate manual.
- Every day is differentFittings, a new shoe launch, a group run, a delivery truck. There's always something new.
- Grow with usAs you grow, we'll train you in other parts of the business, from the sales floor to inventory, events and our online store.
- Your passion, our needThrough training and education, we match what you love with what the store needs. That's how you help build our future.
Read this before you apply
This is not a typical retail job.
You'll serve customers at their feet, all day, and it gets busy. We tell every candidate exactly what to expect so you can decide if it's right for you.
You don't need footwear experience to start. We'll teach you our 5-Point Fit Process in 80 hours of training, and you'll keep learning every season. What you bring is energy, patience, curiosity about how people move, and a smile that makes someone's day.
| How we're different | Typical retail | Tortoise & Hare |
|---|---|---|
| Where you work | Behind a counter | On the floor, at the customer's feet |
| A customer visit | Find a size, ring it up | Our 5-Point Fit Process, often with several customers at once |
| Slow moments | Wait at the register | Put product away, re-merch, restock. There's always a task. |
| Training | A few shadow shifts | An 80-hour training block, then ongoing education |
| After the sale | Done | An invite to a run, walk or yoga class with us |
What to expect on the floor
- 15K–20K stepsWalking the floor, the stockroom and back, all shift long.
- Floor to standingKneeling, squatting and getting up and down from the floor many times an hour.
- Hands on feetMeasuring feet and putting shoes on customers' feet, every fitting.
- Lots of questionsYou'll ask every customer a lot of questions about how they move, where it hurts and what they love. You'll talk with people all shift.
- 2–3 at onceYou'll often help two or three customers, a family or a group at the same time.
- 8:30 to 8:30Shifts fall between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., including at least one full weekend shift every week.
- Always a taskWhen you're not with a customer, you're putting product away, re-merchandising or restocking the wall. You won't get to sit down.
- Stacks of boxesCarrying several shoe boxes at once from the stockroom.
Our values
Four values. You'll use all of them every shift.
Service
On the floorWe stay with a customer until they're finished, even past closing time. Nobody gets rushed out the door.
Teamwork
On the floorWhen the floor is full, we run boxes for each other, hand off fittings, and cover the register so no one waits.
Community
On the floorWe invite every customer to at least one store event. The relationship continues after they leave the store.
Innovation
On the floor3D foot scanning, new shoe technology every season, and ongoing education so our team keeps getting better at fitting people.
What it's like to work here
A shift, start to finish.
- Open
Set the wall
Restock the shoe wall, check new arrivals, and catch up with the team on what's launching this week.
- All day
Fit people
Greet with a smile, ask questions, and take each customer through our 5-Point Fit Process, often several at once. Then kneel and do it again.
- In between
Keep moving
Put product away, re-merch the wall and restock. When the floor is quiet, there's still always a task.
- Close
Finish strong
Help the last customer until they're done, reset the floor, and check how many steps you logged.
Finding your fit
You don't have to run fast. You do have to move with urgency.
You'll love it here if…
- You LOVE to smile and brighten other people's day.
- You move with urgency and gusto all shift, whether you're helping a customer or restocking between them.
- You welcome every person who walks in, from every background and at every pace.
- You speak Spanish or sign ASL. We especially need you, and so do our customers.
- You're passionate about fitness and a healthy lifestyle, at any pace: marathons, morning walks, the gym, hiking or yoga.
- You enjoy talking with people all day, asking questions and really listening to the answers.
- You stay calm and upbeat when the store is packed and three customers need you at once.
- You'd rather move all shift than sit at a desk.
- You take initiative, you're coachable and you love learning new skills.
- You're studying kinesiology, exercise science or a related field and want to see how people move up close, every day.
- You show up for your team, can work shifts between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., and can work at least one full weekend shift every week.
This might not be your pace if…
- You're looking for a quiet job where you can sit down between customers.
- You'd rather point to the shoe wall than get down on the floor and put shoes on someone's feet.
- Kneeling and getting up and down from the floor all shift isn't comfortable for you.
- Constant conversation with strangers wears you out.
- You need every weekend off.
- You like to take it slow between customers, or wait for someone to tell you the next task.
You'll also be part of our community
You'll learn the brands runners trust
Brooks · Hoka · ASICS · On · Altra · New Balance · Nike · Saucony · Vuori · Balega · Feetures · OOFOS · Superfeet
Benefits
We take care of the people who take care of our customers.
Health, dental & vision
Top-quality medical, dental and vision insurance.
Life, AD&D & disability
Life and AD&D insurance, plus short-term disability coverage.
IRA match
We match your retirement savings.
Paid time off
We believe in rest.
Sick time
Paid sick time when you need it.
Employee discount
A generous discount on footwear, apparel and accessories.
80-hour training
Plus ongoing education.
Lifelong friends
Everyone says they have a fun culture. We actually do.
Insurance, retirement and paid time off are for full-time team members (32+ hours per week).
Open positions
Who we're hiring now
Fit Expert Level 1
Take customers through our 5-Point Fit Process on the sales floor.
View role & apply →Shipping & Receiving
Receive vendor shipments, ship online orders and keep our stockroom organized.
View role & apply →Don't see your role?
Send a general application. We'll reach out when a spot fits you.
Apply →Questions applicants ask
Working at Tortoise & Hare: FAQ
What is it like to work at Tortoise & Hare Sports?
It's fast-paced, social and physical. You'll spend your shift on the sales floor taking customers through our 5-Point Fit Process, often helping several people or a group at once. You'll ask a lot of questions, get down on the floor to put shoes on customers' feet, and fill every quiet moment with putting product away and re-merchandising. You won't sit down much, and you'll smile a lot.
What does a Fit Expert do?
A Fit Expert helps customers find running and walking shoes that fit how they move. You'll greet customers, ask questions about their activity and comfort, take them through our 5-Point Fit Process, and put shoes on their feet. Between customers, you'll restock and re-merchandise the store.
How physical is the job?
Very. Our floor team typically walks 15,000 to 20,000 steps per shift, about 7 to 10 miles. You'll kneel and squat to put shoes on customers, get up and down from the floor many times an hour, carry stacks of shoe boxes, and stay on your feet for the full shift.
What counts as part-time and full-time?
Part-time is 25 to 31 hours per week. Full-time is 32 or more hours per week. Benefit eligibility depends on position and hours.
What benefits do you offer?
Full-time team members (32+ hours per week) receive medical, dental and vision insurance, life and AD&D insurance, short-term disability coverage, an IRA match and paid time off. All team members receive paid sick time, an employee discount on footwear, apparel and accessories, and 80 hours of training.
Do I need to be a runner to work here?
No. You need to be passionate about fitness and a healthy lifestyle at any pace. Walkers, hikers, lifters, yogis and runners of every speed fit in on our team. That's what embrace your pace means.
What education do I need?
You need a high school diploma or GED. Students in kinesiology, exercise science, physical therapy and athletic training do especially well here, because you'll see how hundreds of people stand, walk and run.
Do I need footwear or retail experience?
No. Every new team member completes an 80-hour training block in our 5-Point Fit Process, followed by ongoing education. Customer service experience helps, but a positive attitude, a big smile and a willingness to learn matter most.
What hours are shifts?
Shifts are scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., seven days a week. Every team member works at least one full weekend shift each week.
Where is the store?
Tortoise & Hare Sports is at 17570 N. 75th Ave #605, Glendale, AZ 85308, in the Arrowhead area of the northwest Phoenix metro.
How do I apply?
Fill out the application on this page. You can also stop by the store or call 623-792-7900. We review every application and will contact you if your availability fits our schedule.
Apply
Ready to log some miles with us?
Tell us about yourself and how you like to move. It takes about five minutes.
Questions? Call 623-792-7900 or email info@tortoiseandharesports.com.
17570 N. 75th Ave #605
Glendale, AZ 85308
Tortoise & Hare Sports is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We welcome applicants of every background, age, ability and pace. If you need an accommodation to apply or to perform this job, call us at 623-792-7900.