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Mike Miller, center, owner of Shoe Science in the Lakewood Mall, with fit technicians Kyle Walz, left and Zach Neubert, right. (American News Photo by John Davis / March 8, 2013) |
Q. What products or services do you offer?
A. Mike Miller: We sell running, walking and fitness shoes and apparel for men, women and kids. We have top brands in a variety of styles for the serious athlete, recreational athlete and those who just want a good shoe. Our wall full of colorful shoes also shows that we do care a little about fashion.
Q. What do you specialize in?
A. We specialize in matching the shoe to the person. We offer an arch-analysis system and use of a treadmill to help determine gait issues and the proper fit of footwear. Fit is very important.
Q. What's is the hottest selling shoes in your store?
A. For the fashion bug, it's all about color, not brand. For the fitness enthusiast, Asics, Brooks, Mizuno, Saucony or the top brands sell well.
Q. What are you most proud of?
A. We are proud of the time our employees spend learning about shoe technology, foot problems and how to mesh the two together. We really enjoy it when our customers come back and say, "Thanks for hooking me up. My feet feel great." We are very proud of how many local folks keep coming back for more of the same service. We are now selling shoes to the kids of many of the kids we sold to back on Main Street.
Q. What makes your
business unique?
A. We are unique in the amount of product knowledge and time we spend with our customers. We are not here to sell our customers the most expensive shoe but the shoe that works for their specific needs. We truly do care about our customers' feet. Good shoes can help people walk more comfortably, which can be especially important for the elderly. We want to help keep people active for as long as they want. Age is not a barrier — it's a chance to get new shoes!
Q. What's the best
business advice you ever received?
A. Shoe Science followed some advice from another business that did not turn out too well. One day, Tom Brenden said, "This is nuts. Let's decide what we do best and just keep getting better at it."
We did and it still works today.
Q. Goals for the future?
A. Short term — keep looking for new products for our customer needs. By 2015 or 2016, we want to have at least one more location, and by 2020, franchise opportunities.
Business facts
Owners: Tom Brenden and Mike Miller.
Address: Lakewood Mall.
Phone number: 605-225-5111.
Date founded: Opened in 1981 downtown as The Athlete's Foot then moved to the Lakewood Mall in 1990.
Changed name: to Shoe Science in 2010.
Editor’s Note: The American News features a business each week. If you would like to nominate one, email your suggestion to business@aberdeennews.com.
