Canadian Retailer - Store 2014 - 26

STORE 2014 AWARDS OF DISTINCTION

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

ROOTS: STANDING THE TEST OF TIME
For those who attended summer camp, there is a unique bond made
during this coming-of-age experience far from home. Friends are made.
New skills learned. Sometimes first loves are kindled. For Michael Budman
and Don Green-co-founders of Roots Canada-camp not only forged a
lifelong friendship, but it also sparked a business idea that, more than 40
years on, still remains strong
BY DAVID MCPHERSON
RETAIL Council of Canada recently honoured Budman and timeless beauty and simplicity of life in AlGreen with a Lifetime Achievement Award for their long-term gonquin Park never cease to engage and incommitment and visionary leadership in the industry. Roots is spire us; each of us continues to spend a lot of
an incredible Canadian retail success story. The brand is now time in the Park, especially in the summer."
woven into the fabric of our culture. Flash back to the beginForty summers since that simple epiphning and you find summer camp is where the roots for this any in Algonquin Park and the opening of
iconic brand began.
one small store in Toronto, Roots Canada
"Roots was inspired primarily by our love of Algonquin Park, has grown into a global company with more
the beauty of its unspoiled nature and the lifestyle connected than 200 retail stores in Canada, The United
with it," Budman says. "Although Don and I grew up in Detroit, States and Asia. The iconic brand continues
we each developed a strong appreciation for Canada in our to evolve and keep up with a retail world
youth while attending Camp Tamakwa in Algonquin Park. In changing rapidly. How has it kept pace?
the early '70s we decided to go into business together, hoping to come up with something that would al- "Respecting our customers and employees
low each of us to work half the year, and take off the
is a big part of our success, staying true to
other half. It didn't quite work out that way!"
How it worked out is the pair of arts grads from the values, heritage and culture of Roots,
Michigan State University explored various ideas,
but always staying open to new ideas and
and then launched Roots in 1973 with the Negative
to change where appropriate."
Heel Shoe.
"In truth, we didn't really have a master business
- MICHAEL BUDMAN
plan," Budman recalls. "The name came to us one
day when Don saw the word 'roots' in a friend's textbook. We
"We've always tried to evolve with the times
realized it was an incredible name. From the outset, the name without sacrificing the heart and soul of the
and the beaver logo resonated with people, and ever since company," Budman concludes. "Relevance is
then, the name and logo have really stood the test of time."
essential to a business's success and we always
Budman and Green never imagined when they started want to be relevant to our customers and staff."
Roots 41 years ago that the brand would have such an impact
For those just starting out, in any business,
and reach iconic status in Canada-connecting with so many Budman offers this advice: "If you focus on
people around the world. "What we did know is that if we were being successful, not on the money, then the
going to succeed, we had to stay true to our core values and financial dividends will come in time."
never forsake or compromise the quality of our products and
What are the other keys to Roots' success
our commitment to our customers," Budman explains.
and longevity?
The Camp Tamakwa experience had a seminal impact on
"Having a passion for what we do, a positive
the pair that still drives the companies' values and commit- attitude, creativity and resilience," Budman
ment to its customers today.
concludes. "Respecting our customers and
"The human side of camp, learning about being part of a employees is a big part of our success, staysmall community, living with other people in small groups, ing true to the values, heritage and culture of
taking part in so many great sports and other outdoor activ- Roots, but always staying open to new ideas
ities left a seminal impact on both of us," says Budman. "The and to change where appropriate."

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