FORMER Chemist Warehouse (CWH) pharmacist, Edwin Low, who ditched the profession to open a designer sneaker store in Melbourne, is expecting to turn over $20 million this year.
The Victorian footwear fanatic dropped out of pharmacy to launch the Secret Sneaker Store in 2017, after falling victim to an online shoe scam, the Daily Mail reported.
Low said he purchased a pair of $500 shoes, which he had been led to believe were "rare", through a Facebook group, but was stunned to discover he had been swindled when they arrived.
"The seller had a legitimate Facebook profile, but when I tried to get a refund - he instantly blocked me," Low said.
"I quickly told my friends and was shocked when they said almost everyone buying sneakers on social media would eventually run into a scammer."
Low said the Secret Sneaker Store aimed to protect customers from falling prey to online scammers, while helping people selling collectable shoes to connect with buyers.
"My very traditional Malaysian parents thought I was crazy to give up my stable job at CWH to chase my dream of opening a sneaker store," he said.
Low launched the business as a pop-up store, generating more than $16,000 in turnover in its first week.
"People were lining up to buy and sell shoes, and at times before we could even put the sneakers on the shelf customers would ask us about sizing and if they could buy it," Low said.
Over the last five years the business has grown to employ 31 staff, who have authenticated more than 100,000 pairs of limited edition sneakers at stores in Melbourne and Sydney.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 22 Aug 22
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 22 Aug 22
