We had the good fortune of connecting with Charles Cannon and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Charles, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I think the most important factor behind the success of my brand is my son! I wanted to create and leave behind something so great that we both would be proud of and also give him a better childhood than I had!
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Illustrious Soles started because of a personal pair of shoes I ruined. I didnt want to have to spend so much money to replace a pair of shoes from my collection so I chose to try to repair them myself. So I looked up some video on how to repair sneakers, ordered the material and got to work. Once I finished the shoes, it grabbed the attenion of some friends. They thought i bought a brand new pair but was stunned when they found out i repaired the sneakers myself. At that point that when i knew I was on to something. A few days later a family member saw me at another family members house and with no hesitation took her shoes she had on at that time off her feet, handed them to me and told me to be creative. The finished product grabbed so much attention that requests from others started coming in and thats when Illustrious Soles really took off. Customizing sneakers came to me so easily because of my love for sneakers, thanks to my mother, and my artistic abilities. Ive learned to balance being a father and husband, owning a business all while working a full time job. I want the world to know I am an individual who values family and really live what I do. I treat every customers sneakes as if they were my own. You dont just receive custom sneakers from Illustrious Soles but an awesome experience as well
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend over I would take them to eat at some of my favorite food spots in the pearland/ houston area such as, Maxs Wine Dive, Turkey Leg Hut, Rouxpour, Snowy Dessert Bar just to name a few. If they wanted some fun we would catch a movie at the Cinema Grill, ride some speed Karts at K1 speedway or MSR, or play some games at Dave & Busters.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My beautiful wife of 9 years, Angelica Cannon & my 5 yr old son Brayden. And the woman who started my love for sneakers, my mother Shelonda
Website: www.illustrioussoles.com
Instagram: @IllustriousSoles
Facebook: Charles Cannon or Illustrious Soles
Email: ccannon@illustrioussoles.com
Image Credits
Photographer: Angelica Cannon