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Shoe repair is one
of the oldest green professions on earth. In
this economy, more and more people are looking
to recycle shoes—that is to say, fixing old ones
instead of buying new ones. Shoe repairs across
the nation are looking for more people to join
in order to meet the demand for cobblers. If you
would like a job that allows you to become your
own boss and work with your hands, this may be
the industry for you.
Here is some
information to get you started.
Where Do I Find
Training?
This is the most
frequently asked question from those who are
interested in getting started in shoe repair.
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. SSIA is
not aware of any shoe repair schools in North
America, when means the best way to find
training is to find an existing shoe repairer
willing to take on an apprentice.
All SSIA-member
wholesalers have current knowledge on stores
with retiring owners, stores interested in
providing training and locations in need of
stores.
Click here
for a list of SSIA Member Wholesalers
SSIA is also
assembling a library of training materials.
There are no new texts on shoe repairing. Click
on the links below for some older texts that
still provide an excellent background in shoe
repair.
The Shoe
Repairer's Manual
Shoe Repairing
What Are the
Startup Costs?
A mixture of new and
used machinery necessary to operate a shoe
repair shop will cost between $25,000 and
$60,000 depending on your choice of machinery.
The cost of back
room materials and retail items (polishes,
laces, insoles, etc.) is about $15,000. This
does not include footwear, which some shoe
repair shops choose to sell.
Feedback from
Recent Start-Ups
Observations on
starting a shoe repair shop submitted by a
recent new store owner
Recent Store
Purchases in the Midwest
More observations
from a new store owner
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