I recently had the chance to talk with The Shoe Doctor himself—and his story is just as inspiring as the work he does.

👟 Filling a Gap in the Community

What inspired you to start repairing shoes?
“Some of the popular kicks in our community are expensive people spend anywhere from $200 to $4,000 on a single pair. What inspired me was seeing that there wasn’t a place in our community where people could take their shoes to get them properly cleaned and restored. I wanted to fill that gap.”

And that’s exactly what he did. The Shoe Doctor is now the go-to spot for sneaker cleaning and restoration in Kansas City—and beyond.

🐾 Every Shoe Has a Story

What’s one shoe you’ve cleaned that had a really cool story behind it?
“Every shoe has a story, I like to say. One of the most memorable ones was a pair of Jordan 3s that belonged to a customer’s girlfriend. Their puppy did what puppies do and peed on them. The guy brought them in hoping I could save them—and I did! I actually have that video posted on my Instagram.”

Whether it’s an accident, wear and tear, or just years of buildup, The Shoe Doctor specializes in second chances. The transformations are real—and worth every penny.

❤️ A Kansas City Welcome

What do you love most about serving the Kansas City community?
“I’m not originally from KC, but one thing I love about this city is how welcoming and supportive the people have been. I’ve been doing this for a year and a half now, and I haven’t met anyone who wasn’t willing to support my business in some way. That kind of love means everything.”

That kind of community connection is rare, and it’s one of the many reasons The Shoe Doctor has found solid footing in KC.

💡 Shoe Repair = Smart Money

What’s something people don’t realize about the value of shoe repair?
“I always compare it to taking care of your teeth or your car. If you keep up with regular dentist visits or car washes, things last longer and stay looking sharp. It’s the same with shoes. It’s about maintaining value and making a good first impression. If someone doesn’t take care of their teeth, their car, or their shoes, what does that say? Clean shoes boost your confidence—and people notice.”

It’s a mindset shift: instead of buying new shoes every time they get scuffed or dirty, repair and restoration can save you serious money and keep your style consistent.

📍 Big Dreams, Bigger Impact

What’s your ultimate dream for The Shoe Doctor brand?
“Our founder, Ken Taylor, has already grown The Shoe Doctor brand to 7 locations across the U.S. My ultimate goal is to continue that momentum by owning and operating multiple locations across the Midwest and South.”

This is more than just a job—it’s a movement. With care, consistency, and community, The Shoe Doctor is on a mission to expand while still staying grounded in quality service.

👞 Final Tips and Surprising Facts

Anything else people should know about you or your business?
“Two things:

1. We don’t just serve sneakerheads. We clean all types of shoes—gym shoes, running shoes, slides, sandals, heels, UGGs, boots—you name it. If it goes on your feet, we can take care of it.

2. For the sneakerheads: wear your shoes! Keeping them boxed up actually speeds up the deterioration and oxidation process. You’re doing more damage by not wearing them.”