There are few people who appreciate the delicate craftsmanship of men’s footwear as much as Julian Radford. From their sleek and sophisticated laces to their perfectly polished toe caps, Julian grew an unwavering passion for bespoke shoes that he harnessed to create the thriving footwear business, The Shoe Snob. Together with co-founder Ngoni Tshekeche, Julian is helping people across the UK put their best foot forward.
The Shoe Snob was founded by Justin FitzPatrick and Ngoni Tshekeche in 2013 to help other footwear fanatics care for and preserve their prized possessions. Inspired by their bold business venture, Julian joined the team and began transforming the store into a community where people from around the world could find all the advice and accessories they needed to keep their beloved Oxfords, Derbies and Brogues in tip-top shape. “I’ve always wanted to make people care for their shoes and for their shoes to drive their success,” Julian says.
Over the years, The Shoe Snob has evolved into a leading shoe care and accessories retailer in the UK. From beeswax polish and suede spray to horsehair brushes and Alderwood shoe trees, the store boasts a number of highly coveted products from some of the best brands in the business. The team also share helpful tips and tricks to educate their clients on proper shoe preservation. “We have clients all around the world who want to care for their shoes in the best possible way,” Julian says.
Despite being on the path to success, the team were quickly stopped in their tracks when the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the UK. “We were severely implicated and even had to close our shop in Soho, London and go online,” Julian says. During this difficult and uncertain time, the team found refuge at Storage King Nottingham where they were able to safely store all their stock until they had a way forward. “This helped us keep our overheads down, allowing us to rebrand and redesign our business,” Julian says.
Having recently launched their new website, the team at The Shoe Snob are more driven than ever to promote a culture of class and care in men’s footwear. Julian and his team also plan on expanding to the United States and South East Asia in the upcoming year. To find out more about The Shoe Snob and their exceptional products, visit their website or discover their top shoe care tips on our blog.
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