Cordonnerie Poujol: a story of family, passion and transmission

Philippe Blanc travaille aujourd’hui avec sa fille Charlotte. PC

Philippe Blanc took over the Poujol shoemaking business 28 years ago. He now works with his daughter Charlotte.

Philippe Blanc took over the Poujol shoemaking business, named after his wife's father, 28 years ago. Trained in mechanics when he was young, the man claims to have been at the time "more comical than academic”.

After his father's company filed for bankruptcy, a victim of the competition of the time and relocation – of which he had taken over management while still young –, his in-laws suggested that he come and work with them at the Poujol shoe repair shop, located rue Peyrollerie in Millau. He accepted and joined them in 1993.

"Every day, I learn things"

"The first times were not easy, I was used to moving around a lot and I found myself locked in the room ;rsquo;workshop and shop, in a cellar, from morning to evening. The first weeks, I asked myself questions", confides Philippe Blanc.

Having a good relationship with his father-in-law, he learned the trade for 3 years and took over the business in 1996, when he retired. "At first, we only did shoe repairs. When you pick up the shoe, you know how the person walks. My father-in-law taught me a lot of things that most shoemakers don't know. I sewed everything by hand, I wore out my fingers. It takes a lot of skill in this profession. Today, we have machines but we challenge ourselves on a daily basis. Every day I learn things, it has become my passion, says the shoemaker.

Transmission

"All the people who come to the counter are happy, it’s very rewarding to bring a bag, a shoe back to life. It’s not a glamorous job and yet it is very satisfying". Little by little, Philippe Blanc wants to create. Instead of just shortening and cutting holes in belts purchased elsewhere by his customers, he decided to make his very first belt, since purchased from his client at the time, as a souvenir. Today, personalized and tailor-made belts represent 50% of his work.

The customer chooses the leather from 55 colors, its buckle from 1,000, the stitching, etc. and leaves 30 minutes later. The shoemaker uses premium leather. A few months ago, his daughter Charlotte joined the company following a professional reconversion: "I spent a lot of time as a child in the workshop with my brother, I couldn't let go of this family heritage", confides the young woman, until then a nurse. With its leather goods CAP, it manufactures bags in particular.

Philippe Blanc explains: "We are lucky to have the belts part which is profitable, this allows us to let profitability slide on other products and to be able to have fun by challenging ourselves. He who learns a lot by watching videos, has also gained in efficiency and technique on machines thanks to his training as a mechanic. Repairs and restoration of bags, shoes, wallets, etc. are also part of the company’s activities.

“We enjoy working as a family”

À 62 years old, Philippe Blanc is delighted that his daughter is taking over the business: "It’s a very technical profession for which you need a lot of background. If çit hadn’hadn’ my daughter, I will have put the key under the door. It’s impossible for a young person to get by on a single activity. professional like this one with only training".

Charlotte adds: "I’had toû fight to get this pro contract. The shoemaker's profession is poorly regarded; and it’s even more complicated! when you're a woman". It took her 1 year before she spoke about it. his parents and his father wished that she do a 15-day trial before confirming.

"We're having a blast! to work with the family, I leave room for her, she already decides to do so. of many things. We're not afraid to tell ourselves when things aren't going well. I want her to succeed, I transmit to her as much as possible", he explains. Both have à heart to let people know à how their profession is in tune with the times and to promote know-how that is too little known.

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