Taking a Glimpse at the Shoe Shine Business.
By Eboni Barnes
Posted: 12:23p.m .est, October 23, 2007
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Jake Smith

Southern hospitality and excellent customer service seems to be the underlying theme for Jake Smith and his shoe shine business. Located at 107 East College Avenue, in the People’s First Community Bank, Smith has been in the shoe shining business since 1978. It is customer service, dependability, and Smith’s commitment to serving the community that keeps him in business to this day.

 

In his fifty years of living in Tallahassee, 58- year-old Smith has experienced more than your average entrepreneur. Even at the early of eight, Smith had a natural talent of shining shoes and today he has nearly perfected his craft. Although Smith’s contribution to the community is shining shoes, he did not always have this interest.

 

Smith actually began his career in the old airport terminal and moved around to various places. “I refused to do anything against the law, I guess I was just trying to stay out of trouble,” said Smith when explaining his drive to enter the entrepreneurial field. “I actually had a barbecue business first, [but] I had to close it because I had a divorce,” said Smith. Smith took over the stand after the owner of the bank left. What may come as shock to others, but not so much to Smith is the location of the stand inside the bank. Since then Smith has continued to work at the bank over the past three or four years. Smith seems to be both proud and admirable of his business.

 

“Many young people may look down on this line of business because there is not big money on this business, [but] one man once told me you are not rich in money but in the people you know,” said Smith. Often times those in the African American community might view shoe shining as a down-grading job, Smith said. Smith’s response to this concept is simple; he never wanted to pursue anything illegal. He would much rather be doing something positive than to have to turn to negative activities that often plagued
the community.

 

“If you’re going to be something, be the best something you can be,” said Smith. “I like to think that my contribution to the community is good service and the ability to make people smile and have a good conversation while getting your shoes shined,” said Smith.
Smith’s technique for shining shoes may also be a reason why his customers keep coming back. Smith uses wax to shine shoes because it repels water while leaving a high gloss.
From significant names like Larry Campbell, the governor, and Senator Al Lawson, people from all over Tallahassee come to the bank and pay Smith a visit. Larry Campbell has been coming to Smith for almost 12 or 13 years. When asked why he thinks people continue to come back he said, “He is the best”, said Smith. “My grandmother always told me charity begins at home and spreads abroad,” said Smith. Smith likes to think that the training he received from home has had a huge influence in the way he runs his business. “I know there is not a lot of money in shoe shining, but if I can make someone feel better than what they did when they came in, then I am paid,” said Smith.

 

People’s First Community Bank has voluntarily allowed Smith to shine shoes in the bank. Smith does not have any intentions of leaving the bank any time soon. “I will stay here as long as they allow me,” said Smith. Smith’s motto to live by is “yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised to us and the time would be now”. Shoe shine by Jake hours are 9:30 a.m. until close and Jake does deliver.