Written By: Matthew Tucker
For many people, the shoes they choose to wear act as a symbol of individual expression. As Steve Jamison, the owner of Blue Sole Shoes, says, people come to our store “because we’re going to offer you something different.” Steve focuses his time researching and traveling the world in order to curate a unique selection of shoes. By offering exclusive shoes in store, Steve is empowering shoppers to pick out pieces that truly reflect their personalities and empower them to be confident.
Unlike many in the industry, Steve did not grow up in the luxury fashion space. It took him decades of “experience, hard work, risk and a little bit of luck” to get to where he is today. Growing up in the Nicetown-Tioga section of North Philadelphia, which is known as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city, Steve learned the importance of resourcefulness at a young age and never stopped working—two skills that have served him well throughout his professional career.1
Jamison began his career in retail at the age of 17, when he worked a part-time job at a sneaker store after school. After originally planning to become a bilingual criminal defense attorney, Steve pivoted back into retail. He worked for prominent retailers in Philadelphia across a number of roles, including sales associate, assistant buyer, and assistant manager.2 Before Steve opened his store in 2007, he was recruited by other companies and retailers to work for them as a buyer. But what pushed Steve to start Blue Sole Shoes—and what attracts so many others to entrepreneurship—is the “creative freedom that comes with owning your own business.”
Steve finally realized his childhood dream of opening his own retail store in February of 2007 when he launched Blue Shoe Shoes at 1805 Chestnut Street. Starting a business is no easy feat, and it definitely was a huge gamble for Steve. Financing his store with credit cards and a $120,000 home equity loan, he was all in. But for someone like Steve, who had been preparing for this moment since his first shoe job at 17, he had the experience and determination to make it a success.
At the time when he opened his store, Rittenhouse was still a developing retail shopping district in Philly. Flash forward to today, and now you see Rittenhouse as a booming retail area filled with some of the most high-end brands in the world. Once you step outside Steve’s store, you are inundated by high-end dining destinations (Continental is his next door neighbor) and high-rise residences filled with luxury apartments.3 For Steve, opening in Rittenhouse was a no brainer. Most of his prior work experiences were in this part of the city and the product that he wanted to focus on was well suited for this area. With the average household income of $81,390 in Rittenhouse and roughly 40% of people between the ages of 25 and 34, this combination of youth and wealth were critical for Blue Sole Shoes’ success.
When customers enter the store from the bustling Rittenhouse sidewalks, they are forging into a totally new shopping experience. Steve prides himself on giving every visitor the best shopping experience they have ever had, which all starts with his emphasis on customer service. Steve will be the first to tell you that having the best customer service is all about hiring the right people. He evaluates his employees first and foremost on customer service rather than the number of sales they make. His philosophy is that when you service customers properly, the sales will come. If a customer cannot afford a pair of shoes but talks about how great the service was to his friends, this positive word of mouth about their service really pays off in the long run.
With an emphasis on hiring younger people (mid 20s to mid 30s), Steve’s employees have played a crucial role since the store’s opening. When you work at Blue Sole Shoes, you better be prepared for frequent trips up and down the basement stairs to get to the stockroom. A big reason why retailers like Steve hire younger people is that they have different energy levels that are better suited for selling unique products. Younger people also tend to be more open minded and creative about fashion whereas older people tend to box themselves into a single category. Steve is always thinking about new ways to grow his business, so having a flexible and creative mindset about fashion is vital because as fashion continues to evolve, the employees’ attitudes about fashion have to adapt as well.
By providing the best customer service and the highest quality luxury products, Steve and his team make buying shoes a truly unique experience. If you are ever in the Rittenhouse area and are thinking about your next pair of shoes, I highly recommend you check out Blue Sole Shoes.