YOUTHFUL Charles Wong , managing director of famed home-grown shoemaker Charles & Keith International, is only 34 but he already has 18 years of business experience under his belt. He is one of the 17 top entrepreneurs in this year's Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
He started out by managing the shoes corner of his mother's neighbourhood store when he was still a teenager.
By virtue of commitment and hard work, he now runs a business that is an internationally recognised brand and will top $100 million in sales turnover this year.
During his national service days, Mr Wong recalls, his batchmates would return home over the weekend and spend time with their girlfriends.
But he would head straight from camp to his mother's shop to take stock of how the business had performed over the week and plan stock buying and selling strategies for the following week.
In 1990, Mr Wong and his younger brother Keith formally entered the business world by setting up a ladies shoes retail store in Ang Mo Kio Central.
Six years later, in 1996, they opened the first concept store in Amara Shopping Centre and launched their own label.
Their novel concept of providing trendy and fashionable shoes for working women at affordable prices became a runaway success and soon Charles & Keith became a household name in Singapore.
Even as their network of stores spread across Singapore, the brothers saw opportunities in the region. Charles' business acumen and Keith's design flair helped them venture into countries like Indonesia and the Philippines.
Since going overseas in 2000, the company's international business has expanded rapidly. It now has 130 stores across 20 countries, with a strong presence in the Middle East.
Along the way, in 2005, the company launched its first men's line of footwear under the Pedro brand name. Already, the Pedro business is taking off with 15 concept boutiques in six countries.
Last year, Charles & Keith launched its accessories collection, comprising sunglasses and belts.
'From designing, manufacturing, to retailing, Charles & Keith has certainly made a mark across the international fashion industry which allows us to grow as a fashion-forward brand to compete on the international platform,' says Mr Wong.
He is taking his business upmarket by launching a product line extension, The Signature Label by Charles & Keith in Singapore and Indonesia.
Mr Wong says: 'The Signature Label is the essence of luxurious ladies footwear. It embodies a heritage of shoe-making combined with a fresh take on designs, revolving between splendid leather and lavish substances. This product line is to target sophisticated ladies who prefer the finer details in life and take pride in their appearance.'
The numbers are looking good too. Sales amounted to $56 million in 2006, and last year they reached $76 million.
While this year's target was $95 million, the actual sales will be more than $100 million, Mr Wong adds.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on October 22, 2008.
