Wayne Proude has been kicking around the shoe business for a long-time.
He had his ups and downs but does not seem to have any regrets.
“Good, good,’’ he says in describing how he feels about celebrating 50 years in business.
“You don’t make a fortune, but you make a lot of friends...and to have your family behind you means a lot too.’’
He opened Proude Shoes on May 12, 1965 with silent partner (of approximately 10 years) Uttley Birt.
Proude, who dropped out of school after Grade 11, got his feet wet selling foot wear at Wrights Shoes at the age of 16.
That was meant to be a summer job — a career spanning half a century and counting would follow.
Proude Shoes has been in three locations within the Sherwood Business Centre.
The first spot was a mere 1,400 square feet of retail space that Proude rented for $150 per month - heat included.
“Back then,’’ he notes, “it was a fair amount of money.’’
The second location lasted from 1977 to 1988.
For the past 27 years now — roughly the length of time the familiar advertising jingle ‘You’ll be proud in your shoes from Proude’ has been playing — the store has fronted onto the large parking lot at Sherwood Business Centre that can be accessed by St. Peters Road or Brackley Point Road.
Proude has seen many retail stores, including a fair share of national shoe outlets, come and go.
The store has been a family affair.
Proude’s wife Judy, who penned the store’s familiar slogan, looked after the books in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
The couple’s daughter, Karen, who is now a nurse, worked part-time while a student.
Son Kevin, 48, who was not born when Proude Shoes opened, has been working full-time at the store since 1988.
He believes customers have a strong attachment the store because it is a family business.
“We’re not a faceless corporation,’’ he says.
“You can come in and talk to the boss.’’
The boss will also slip shoes on your feet.
There has been a gradual transition over the years towards Kevin making the big business decisions.
Wayne still puts in as much as 30 hours a week, but notes full retirement is “not too far off.’’
Wayne Proude has been kicking around the shoe business for a long-time.
He had his ups and downs but does not seem to have any regrets.
“Good, good,’’ he says in describing how he feels about celebrating 50 years in business.
“You don’t make a fortune, but you make a lot of friends...and to have your family behind you means a lot too.’’
He opened Proude Shoes on May 12, 1965 with silent partner (of approximately 10 years) Uttley Birt.
Proude, who dropped out of school after Grade 11, got his feet wet selling foot wear at Wrights Shoes at the age of 16.
That was meant to be a summer job — a career spanning half a century and counting would follow.
Proude Shoes has been in three locations within the Sherwood Business Centre.
The first spot was a mere 1,400 square feet of retail space that Proude rented for $150 per month - heat included.
“Back then,’’ he notes, “it was a fair amount of money.’’
The second location lasted from 1977 to 1988.
For the past 27 years now — roughly the length of time the familiar advertising jingle ‘You’ll be proud in your shoes from Proude’ has been playing — the store has fronted onto the large parking lot at Sherwood Business Centre that can be accessed by St. Peters Road or Brackley Point Road.
Proude has seen many retail stores, including a fair share of national shoe outlets, come and go.
The store has been a family affair.
Proude’s wife Judy, who penned the store’s familiar slogan, looked after the books in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
The couple’s daughter, Karen, who is now a nurse, worked part-time while a student.
Son Kevin, 48, who was not born when Proude Shoes opened, has been working full-time at the store since 1988.
He believes customers have a strong attachment the store because it is a family business.
“We’re not a faceless corporation,’’ he says.
“You can come in and talk to the boss.’’
The boss will also slip shoes on your feet.
There has been a gradual transition over the years towards Kevin making the big business decisions.
Wayne still puts in as much as 30 hours a week, but notes full retirement is “not too far off.’’
