Clients Spotlight
JD Shoe Repair
After informally apprenticing for 3 years at two local shoe repair stores, Julie Derrick decided to start her own small business. JD’s Shoe Repair, located at the corner of North Vancouver and North Fremont in Portland, Oregon, is part of a community hub of locally owned small businesses operating out of a former gas station that includes dry cleaning services, an espresso stand and various food carts. What was formally a vacant building that attracted crime and graffiti is now a thriving business center for small business start-ups.
When Julie thought about starting a shoe repair business, she recognized that the industry was growing despite the economy. More and more people are finding ways to save money, which includes repairing broken shoes versus replacing them. However, Julie knew that she couldn’t depend solely on economic trends or a good location. She needed additional support for her small business and sought the advice and services of MESO (MicroEnterprise Services of Oregon). MESO has successfully supported many of the small businesses in the community business hub where JD’s Shoe Repair is located.
For additional support, MESO referred Julie to the MarketLink program at OMEN for market research services. The MarketLink staff worked closely with Julie to discover effective and inexpensive strategies for JD’s Shoe Repair to become part of her local community by tailoring the research to the unique needs of a local shoe repair business. MarketLink staff worked with Julie on strategies to increase her involvement with neighborhood businesses, working with them to develop a neighborhood identity. MarketLink staff also assisted Julie in targeting small niches, such as musicians and vintage shops, with a person-to-person, community marketing approach. To learn more about JD’s Shoe Repair, visit her website at: http://www.jdshoerepair.com/
