"Let's take a look."
The man hesitated.
"How much?"
Adrian looked at the shoes.
"I'll tell you after I see what needs to be done."
The man followed him.
A young employee whispered,
"Are we really going to repair those?"
Adrian looked at him.
"Yes."
"But he probably can't afford—"
Adrian interrupted.
"That doesn't matter."
The employee became silent.
Adrian looked toward Margaret.
She was standing in the doorway.
She smiled.
He had learned.
That evening, Daniel called Adrian into his office.
"I have a question."
"Yes?"
"Do you know why Margaret chose you?"
Adrian looked confused.
"Chose me?"
"She could have fired you."
"I know."
"She could have replaced you."
"I know."
"Instead, she gave you another chance."
Adrian nodded.
"Why?"
Daniel smiled.
"Because she saw something."
"What?"
"That you were capable of changing."
Adrian looked down.
"Was I really that bad?"
Daniel laughed.
"You were worse."
Adrian laughed too.
Then Daniel became serious.
"But you learned."
He placed an old photograph on the desk.
It showed Margaret decades earlier.
She was standing in a tiny workshop.
Beside her was a nineteen-year-old Daniel.
Adrian stared.
"That's you?"
Daniel smiled.
"Yes."
"You look so young."
"I was."
"How did you build this place?"
"Margaret."
Adrian looked at the photograph.
"She did all this?"
"She started it."
Daniel shook his head.
"I just carried it forward."
He pointed at Margaret.
"Never forget who built the foundation."
Adrian nodded.
"I won't."
Several months later, the store announced a major event.
It would celebrate fifty years of the brand.
Luxury customers were invited.
Business leaders.
Designers.
Journalists.
Collectors.
The store was decorated beautifully.
At the center of the showroom was a special display.
A pair of handmade boots.
They were old.
Worn.
Simple.
Nothing like the expensive products surrounding them.
A small plaque stood beside them.
It read:
"THE FIRST PAIR."
Guests wondered what it meant.
At seven o'clock, Daniel walked onto the small stage.
"Tonight, we celebrate fifty years."
The audience applauded.
"But before we talk about the company, I want to talk about a person."
He looked toward the entrance.
Margaret walked in.
She wore the same kind of clothes she always wore.
A simple work shirt.
Denim overalls.
No expensive jewelry.
No designer clothes.
The audience looked confused.
Daniel smiled.
"This is Margaret Collins."
He paused.
"She is the woman who taught me everything."
The audience applauded.
Margaret waved.
Daniel continued.
"She started this company with a sewing machine, a piece of leather, and a belief."
He looked at Margaret.
"That if you put your name on something, it should deserve to carry it."
The audience applauded louder.
Margaret looked emotional.
Daniel continued.
"She also taught us another lesson."