April 1st may have been a day for some people to joke around, however Collingwood and Elmira Businessman Ken Brubacher was smiling for another reason.
He used the day to look back on the fact the business his father founded back in 1939 is still going strong after 70 years.
He says the business that started out as a simple shoe store and shoe repair shop now has evolved into a high tech establishment that manufactures custom footwear from scratch to deal with moderate to severe orthopaedic foot problems.
Brubacher took over the operation of the business in 1978 and began the process of using more advanced technology to manufacturer custom designed footwear.
Later, he decided to get into the world of computerized design systems to custom design his customers shoes, a move he says allowed him to further solidify his hold on the custom footwear market.
He says technology now is the centrepiece of his business, using three dimensional technology to scan a persons foot to provide an exact digital replica model of a persons foot to provide a perfect fit for their shoe.
Brubacher says personal involvement with his clients is another reason for his success over the past 32 years.
For any person starting out on their own in the business world, he has some advice.
Find a niche market, a need for a product or service no one else provides, then work hard to develop it and retain your clients.
