Michael Gleeson has been at the helm of Michael Gleesons shoes on Upper William Street for over 25 years and believes that the cornerstone of a good business is offering good value and excellent service.

Mr Gleeson, originally from Dromkeen but now living on O'Connell Avenue, has spent over 40 years in the shoe business.

"I got into the business by chance. My mother brought me into town to look for a job and I got one in a shoe shop. I started out working for £3 and 10 shillings—it sounds crazy now—and I worked my way up from there. I managed O'Sullivans Shoes for a number of years and the opportunity arose to set up my own business and I took that," he said.

"There have been a lot of changes to the business and the fashion obviously. Even though trends keep changingn they always seem to come around again after a period. Stilletto heels and platforms have been and gone a few times; it's not the same with men's shoes," he joked.

"We carry all the leading brands including Clarks, Dubarry, Gabor, Grenson and many other quality footwear brands. Stocking Clarks shoes means that the product is good and the price is reasonable; having affordable prices is important, especially with parents."

Due to popular demand, Michael opened a second store on William Street—a children's shoe shop called Young Gleesons Shoes.

"That has been very successful and has generated the biggest sales of children's shoes out of any outlet in the country. We had always sold children's shoes and we had the expertise of our trained shoe fitters as well so we were geared to take up the challenge," he said.

"We are now preparing for the back to school season; we have plenty of staff and a huge selection in all the fittings including full and half sizes. Our shop is also a Clarks specialist so that makes the selling of children's shoes a lot easier because they are the world's best shoe manufacturers in that area."

Mr Gleeson added that coming from a farming background in county Limerick meant that he had a good grounding in hard work and his family have also been instrumental in the business's success.

"My family are very much a part of the business. My daughter Dervala is involved with both shops. My other daughter, Gráinne, runs a chiropody business downstairs in Gleesons, which is a unique set-up in itself that really complements the shoe shop. My son John helps out an awful lot as well. I have a very loyal staff of about 15 and many of them are there since we began. They know the customers and the business very well. Offering great, friendly service is a cornerstone of Gleesons; it's built on that."

Gleesons is also a prominent stockist of shoes from the Masai Barefoot Technology range and has sold over 3,500 pairs in the last two years—making it "the leading MBT stockist in Munster."

Mr Gleeson said that the recession has already had an effect locally but he hopes that it will not be as damaging in the long-term.

"At this time of recession I hope that the public would support local business people in the city. Quite a lot of bigger chains have come to town and the days of the independent retailer are getting scarcer. It's nice to walk in and see a friendly face. The new increase in the price of disc parking has definitely had an effect as well," he said.

"I've always had a very positive attitude to business and that's vitally important. You have to get on with it rather than focusing on negatives and competition. Providing excellent service and a quality product is all you can do."

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