From Boardroom to Basement: How a 47-Year-Old VP Reinvented Herself as Brooklyn’s Most Sought-After Cobbler
In the heart of Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood, amidst the buzz of local artists and hip eateries, a small basement workshop is quietly challenging both the sneaker industry and the definition of career success. Here, Sung Roh—once a high-powered Vice President in the world of finance—has traded business meetings and boardroom stress for shoelaces, glue, and the gentle whir of a sewing machine. At age 47, Sung left a stable, lucrative job to become a cobbler, carving a new path built on creativity, sustainability, and the joy of working with her hands.
The Corporate Climb: A Familiar Story
For decades, Sung Roh was on what many would consider a dream trajectory. After years of hard work and climbing the corporate ladder, she earned a senior executive position as a Vice President at a major finance firm in New York City. The perks were many: a generous salary, prestige, and the sense of security that comes with a well-established career. But behind the veneer of corporate success, Sung found herself longing for something more meaningful and personally fulfilling.
The reality for many executives is a familiar one: burnout, endless meetings, and a sense of disconnect from tangible results. For Sung, the pivotal realization came as she reflected on her day-to-day work—what once excited her now felt empty. She craved a different rhythm, one grounded in craft and creativity rather than spreadsheets and profit margins.
The Leap: Pursuing Passion Over Paychecks
It was a leap that defied conventional wisdom. Most people in their late forties double down on their careers, seeking even greater financial security as they edge closer to retirement. Sung, however, made the opposite decision. She resigned from her high-powered job, opting instead to pursue her fascination with footwear—specifically, the art of cobbling and sneaker restoration.
With little formal training but a fierce determination to succeed, Sung began apprenticing under established cobblers and immersing herself in the world of shoe repair. She scoured online resources, attended workshops, and spent countless hours experimenting with restoration techniques on old sneakers. What started as a hobby quickly evolved into a full-blown passion.
Building Cobbler Bushwick Co.
Armed with new skills and a clear vision, Sung opened Cobbler Bushwick Co., a modest repair studio located in the basement of a Brooklyn building. The location was humble, but it was perfect for the creative, community-driven vibe she wanted to cultivate. From day one, she aimed to do more than just fix shoes; she wanted to bring them back to life, blending craftsmanship with the vibrant culture of Brooklyn.
The heart of Sung’s business is upcycling and restoring well-loved sneakers—transforming worn-out, often sentimental pairs into fresh, unique works of art. Her approach is hands-on and deeply personal: she consults with clients about their shoes’ stories, discusses design ideas, and then gets to work using a mix of traditional cobbling methods and modern sneaker customization techniques.
The Art of Sneaker Upcycling
Sung’s restoration process is meticulous. She starts by deep-cleaning each pair, removing years’ worth of dirt, grime, and old adhesives. Next comes repairing or replacing damaged components—outsoles, midsoles, uppers, and insoles. Finally, she reimagines the shoes’ look, adding custom stitching, dyes, or even hand-painted artwork, depending on the client’s wishes.
What sets Sung apart is not just her skill, but her ethos. She believes in sustainability and reducing waste, encouraging people to repair rather than discard. Her workshop is filled with rescued materials, and she takes pride in finding inventive ways to repurpose everything from laces to leather patches.
Meeting the Demand: Sneakers and Sustainability
Sung’s timing couldn’t have been better. The demand for sneaker upcycling and repair has surged in recent years, driven by both the popularity of collectible sneakers and growing concerns about sustainability in fashion. For many New Yorkers, sneakers aren’t just footwear—they’re prized possessions and markers of identity. When a favorite pair gets damaged, it’s not just an inconvenience; it can feel like losing a piece of oneself.
Cobbler Bushwick Co. quickly gained a reputation for its quality and creativity. Clients flocked to Sung’s basement shop, sometimes waiting weeks for their shoes to be restored. Local artists and sneakerheads alike praised her work, and soon enough, word began to spread across the city.
Life Lessons From the Workshop
For Sung Roh, the transition from executive to artisan has been as challenging as it is rewarding. She admits that the financial uncertainties and long hours are real. There are no corporate perks—just the satisfaction of seeing a client’s face light up when their beloved shoes are returned, looking better than new.
The move has also shifted her sense of purpose. Sung speaks openly about the fulfillment she finds in manual labor and creative problem-solving, the joy of being her own boss, and the unexpected delight in building community. She’s become not just a cobbler, but a mentor and role model, especially for other women considering unconventional career changes later in life.
Redefining Success in the Modern Age
Sung Roh’s story resonates in an era when more people are questioning the traditional markers of achievement. Her journey from boardroom to basement is a testament to the power of reinvention—and a reminder that it’s never too late to chase a dream, even if it means starting over from scratch.
In the basement of a Brooklyn building, surrounded by brushes, glue, and a kaleidoscope of sneaker soles, Sung Roh has found her true calling. It’s not just about fixing shoes—it’s about restoring meaning, both for herself and her community, one pair at a time.
Sung Roh’s bold leap from VP to cobbler is a blueprint for anyone longing for more out of life. In pursuing her passion, she’s not only mending sneakers but also rewriting the story of midlife, career, and what it means to make a mark in the world—literally, step by step.
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