In 2022, Sung Roh walked away from a high-powered corporate vice president role to pursue an unlikely passion: cobbling and upcycling shoes. What began in her Brooklyn basement has grown into Cobbler Bushwick Co., a thriving business that restores worn-out sneakers and transforms them into unique, sustainable works of art. Now operating out of a hybrid cobbler-and-coffee shop in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood, Roh, 47, says the move has brought her more happiness and less burnout than her corporate days. “I get energy from the community,” she says, highlighting the joy of connecting with local customers over impersonal online transactions.
A Leap Inspired by Family
Roh’s pivot to cobbling was sparked by her brother, a cobbler in South Korea. In 2022, he spent two weeks teaching her the craft, followed by four months of practice before she launched Cobbler Bushwick Co. With over 20 years of experience in the shoe industry and degrees in fashion from Korea and accessory design from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Roh brought a global design sensibility to her work.
Her business isn’t just about repairs—it’s about storytelling. As a cobbler, Roh restores shoes to their original condition, fixing worn heels or toes. As an upcycler, she adds creative flair, stitching leather patches or swapping in vibrant new soles. “Each sneaker has its own story,” she says. “The area you need to repair becomes a design element.” The meticulous upcycling process can take up to 10 hours per pair, with prices ranging from $350 to $520. For those eager to learn, Roh also offers $680 cobbling workshops.
A Unique Business Model
In January 2025, Roh partnered with her former colleague Ahram Choi and Choi’s husband, Seokhoon, to open Cobbler Bushwick Roaster, a combination cobbler-and-coffee shop. Roh owns 100% of her cobbling business and 50% of the coffee shop, which has already generated at least $41,000 in 2025, with May proving profitable. The coffee shop, primarily run by her partners, draws customers who sip salted honey lattes while eyeing Roh’s upcycled sneakers on display. “It’s not immediate interest to spend,” Roh notes, but repeat visits build curiosity and boost cobbling sales.
The synergy of the two businesses has been a game-changer. Cobbler Bushwick Co. earned $37,750 in gross revenue from January 1 to mid-June 2025, surpassing its 2024 total of $33,000 in just six months. Last year, the business was profitable, with Roh taking home nearly $9,900, though her husband’s job at the U.S. General Services Administration covers household expenses.
Reviving a Declining Craft
The shoe repair industry has seen better days. In 1997, the U.S. had 15,000 shoe repair shops, but by 2019, that number had dwindled to 5,000, according to the Associated Press. Roh’s innovative approach—combining traditional cobbling with upcycling and a community-focused coffee shop—helps her stand out in a shrinking market. “If you know how to do more than just cobbling, you have a better chance to survive,” she says, crediting the “positive synergy” of her dual business model.
Roh works with two apprentices four days a week on cobbling and upcycling, dedicating one day to the coffee shop. While the work is physically demanding, she finds it far less draining than her corporate job. “It’s exhausting, but not nearly as tiring as doing work I don’t enjoy,” she says.
A Focus on Sustainability and Community
Roh’s business is as much about sustainability as it is about style. By upcycling sneakers, she extends their lifespan, reducing waste in an era of fast fashion. Her website emphasizes this ethos: “Sustainability, it’s a lifestyle.” Her designs aim for longevity in both quality and style, appealing to customers who value craftsmanship over disposability.
The community aspect is equally vital. Unlike her corporate role, where interactions felt distant, Roh now thrives on face-to-face connections with local customers. “I get energy from the people who come in, not from anonymous online sales,” she says. The coffee shop setting fosters these relationships, turning casual coffee drinkers into cobbling clients over time.
A Lesson in Following Passion
Roh’s story echoes other entrepreneurs who’ve traded corporate stability for creative fulfillment. Like Desiree Hill, who left a medical assistant job to open an auto repair shop, or Mary Gui, who quit pharmaceutical marketing to launch a fashion blog, Roh proves that passion-driven careers can yield both personal and financial rewards, even if modest. Her business may not be a cash cow—money, she says, isn’t the point—but it’s profitable and growing, with 2025 on track to outpace last year.
For Roh, the real payoff is joy. “I’m happier and less burned out,” she says, a sentiment that resonates with anyone dreaming of a career change. In a world where corporate burnout is rampant, her leap into cobbling offers a blueprint: find a craft you love, build a community around it, and create something lasting—one sneaker at a time.