{"id":866,"date":"2013-03-16T13:25:48","date_gmt":"2013-03-16T10:25:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.keikari.com\/english\/?p=866"},"modified":"2013-05-09T15:53:42","modified_gmt":"2013-05-09T12:53:42","slug":"interview-with-richard-smith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.keikari.com\/english\/interview-with-richard-smith\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Richard Smith"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Age 47,\u00a0Co-Owner of Shoehealer.\u00a0Left School with no formal qualifications. and went straight into work as a vehicle mechanic.\u00a0No Children, but very happily married to Michelle, who is part of our business too as Shareholder and Director.\u00a0I am afraid I do not have a close family, although I am sure they are happy that I have always worked, and had reasonable success in whatever type of work I have done. My working life has been varied over the years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking for a change in direction, I started to spend some time at my Business Partner \u2018Antony\u2019 Shoe Repair Shop. I soon started helping out during busy periods, which led to me starting work with him Full Time, and him teaching me how to Repair Shoes. My interest in shoes developed from then on. There is something about English Traditional Shoes, that most often cannot be replicated by others, and they are also \u2018Ageless\u2019. Having said that, I also like the \u2018Twists\u2019 on these traditional styles that we make with Tricker\u2019s and Sargent. I like to see something \u2018different\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a Shoe Repairer, frequenting and spending a lot of time at the Factories, and working with customers in our store, and at the Country Shows and Gamefairs we attend.\u00a0I have a very simple philosophy too. Whatever type of work I have done, I have always aspired to be the best, no matter what. There is always something new to learn, and my approach to customers and business, is one of total honesty and integrity. I answer many questions each day from lots of different customers. Some of these questions I need to research, in order to provide the right and best answer. I am always happy to take the time to do this.<\/span><\/p>\n

I am always most comfortable in Casual Dress. I wear several of the shoes we keep but my favourite Shoemaker is Alfred Sargent. I wear several of their models including Dalham, Risby and Hand Grade \u2018Milton\u2019. I also wear several pairs of Tricker\u2019s, Church\u2019s Loake and Barker. [My facourite maker is] unquestionably Alfred Sargent, but then again I am always honest and I try to judge with an unbiased opinion. Every Shoemaker we work with has in their products \u2018Strengths and Weaknesses\u2019. This is that there are some models that arrive in our store, with a keen eye we might think they could be better, should be better, or perhaps they are as good as the need to be, or as good as they can be.\u00a0We should always remember that our shoes are largely Hand Made and Finished, and because of that there has to be margin for \u2018difference\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

My business Partner Antony has been repairing shoes in his own small shop for nearly 30 years. We actually have two shops, but only one carries a vast amount of RTW Shoe stock.\u00a07 1\/2 years ago when I joined the company, a Gentleman brought in a high quality pair of shoes for repair. I discussed with Antony where these shoes may have been purchased, and where would he buy another pair should he wish. In our town, and in most other towns there is a distinct lack of very high quality footwear. Our High Streets are flooded with cheap foreign imports, and of course not everyone can afford the finer things in life. As well, we must purchase every pair of shoes that comes into our store, and we never return stock unless it is faulty. We decided to research different brands, for quality and price, as well as canvassing our customers for their thoughts. The reaction from customers was very positive, so we decided on Loake, Tricker\u2019s and Grenson.<\/span><\/p>\n

We later decided to drop Grenson, and introduced Crockett and Jones, Barker, Church\u2019s, Cheaney and Alfred Sargent to our Brand Line Up. Shoehealer now carries well over 2000 pairs of England\u2019s Finest in our own stock, and we continue to invest.\u00a0Shoehealer has a very good reputation in our locality for the vast range and quality of products and services on offer. Because of the rarity of some brands and models on the High Street in general, we find customers will \u2018search\u2019 for stockists of their favourite footwear, and many will travel considerable distances to visit our store.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most people appreciate the quality and product on offer in our store, but some still can not comprehend that a pair of shoes can cost in excess of 200gbp. Imagine the shock when we show them some models we have on display that cost in excess of 700gbp !\u00a0In the best possible way we try to educate customers, about the quality of Materials and Build, in the differences in Fitting, and the Life Expectancy of a great pair of shoes. My work in store would be so much easier if everyone knew this. Until they do, I am always happy to help and advise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nowadays at home I enjoy to watch a great game of Football, with a nice bottle of Red Wine.\u00a0I also enjoy good food and cooking with my Wife Michelle.\u00a0Shopping is also a great way to chill out.\u00a0I hold a 3rd Degree Black Belt in the Korean Martial Art of Tae Kwon Do, but I haven\u2019t trained for many years now. As much as I would like to return to training, time and energy is a problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

A young good looking Gentleman came into our store today, wearing a smart pair of Trousers, Nice Shirt and a Neck Tie. His shoes were \u2018High Street Rubbish\u2019. In my opinion, and for what it is worth his shoes cancelled pout the rest of his outfit.\u00a0You never have a second chance to make a first impression.\u00a0Start with the best quality shoes you can afford, and build the rest of the outfit around it.\u00a0With an expensive pair of shoes, you can get away with an inexpensive outfit. An inexpensive pair of shoes will \u2018let down\u2019 and in some ways \u2018Devalue\u2019 an outfit.”<\/span><\/p>\n

http:\/\/shoehealer.co.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Interview_with_Richard_Smith_from_Shoe_Healer_at_Keikari_dot_com\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Picture: \u00a9 Richard Smith<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Age 47,\u00a0Co-Owner of Shoehealer.\u00a0Left School with no formal qualifications. and went straight into work as a vehicle mechanic.\u00a0No Children, but …
keep reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[7,62],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-866","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-interviews","category-tradesmen"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t