Sandra Wilson When Sandra Wilson lost her job at Canadian Airlines in the 1990s, she decided to start a home-based business that would give her flexlbifity and some extra income. Since she had...

Sandra Wilson

When Sandra Wilson lost her job at Canadian Airlines in the 1990s, she decided to start a home-based business that would give her flexlbifity and some extra income. Since she had experienced difficulty In getting non-sUp soft shoes for her son Robert, she decided to make a soft shoe out of leather. She named her company Robeez. In 1994, she went to the Vancower Gift Sho.v trade exhibition with 20 pairs of her new footwear. They were an instant hit Sales in the first year of her business were $20 000, and doubled every year thereafter. By 2002, sales reached $2 million. A lot of celebrity moms no.v use her products. She says her business was built largely on word of mouth.

Robeez is the world's leading manufacturer of softsoled leather footwear. It employs 450 people and sells a diverse product line in 6500 stores located in North America, Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia. In 2006, Sandra sold out to Stride Rite Corporation for $30 million. She can now enjoy the fruits of her labour. She is stil with Stride Rite as a consultant, and she also meets with various mompreneurs once a month to help them.

Video Resource: "Mompreneurs," Marketplace (February 16, 2008).