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Mr Charles Wang Owner of Charles & Keith

From a modest footwear store in Ang Mo Kio, Mr Charles has opened 13 stores in Singapore and franchises in Southeast Asia. In his late twenties, he has created a marketable local brand in Singapore. In the eyes of many young women, Charles & Keith has provided fashionable shoes at easy on the pocket prices. Being an ambitious person, Mr Charles is discontented with the current result. Not only he wants to maintain the high standard services as well as the quality of his shoes, he targets to attain another greater level of standard, providing him with the momentum to improve constantly.

After his 'O' levels, Mr Charles began to learn business skills by helping out in his parents' exiguous shop in the neighbourhood. From selecting of raw materials to attending to customers in the shops, he learnt in serving customers as well as the range of designs of shoes offered in the market. Mr Charles and his second brother, Mr Keith weren't academically inclined. After the completion of National Service, Mr Keith took over his place to assist in the shop, while Mr Charles saw an opportunity in the local market. He recognized that imported shoes were pricey and unbefitting for Asians' feet. With their savings of $100,000 as capital, both brothers began to start their own business.

With their goal of integrating into the footwear market, Mr Charles and Mr Keith went to trade exhibitions in foreign countries to observe and learn from the finest European shoemakers. In addition, they went to their own factory in Malaysia to superintend their employees. Throughout the years, both brothers have been seeking ways to improve the standard of their products. Mr Charles stressed:" We have been travelling to countries such as Italy, Germany and England to be inspired in ways shoes are designed including materials used as well as the various modes of shoe making." From the quality time spent analyzing other companies' models; they are able to learn from people's experiences such as the reasons why some can do better in business.

Technology has played a crucial role in Charles and Keith. At the end of each day, the total sales for that day will be tallied from all stores in Singapore. Each complaint from the customers will be taken into momentous consideration and the staffs will observe which type of shoes are more in style with the customers. Thus from there, they will try to improve the materials or the designs of the shoes. The company has a group of young and vibrant staffs. Being young and inexperienced is definitely not to their disadvantage. With their earnest sincerities, they are able to foster trust with customers.

Mr Charles believes in starting early in business. He believes that youth is power. Moreover, industrious and mutual trusts between suppliers are imperative to successful business. Mr Charles plans to have sales in overseas as his focal point as overseas markets have greater sales. He sees himself taking a slower pace of life at 35. He will retire from the company, paving way for others to operate the business while he will go overseas in search for more promising business opportunity.