The resulting battle for the right to earn a living free from excessive governmental interference cast Brown in the unlikely role of champion in the cause of economic liberty. His pathbreaking triumph is a beacon to others outside the economic mainstream that opportunity still exists in America. An Entrepreneur in Action Ego Brown launched his career after he quit his job as a voucher examiner for the Navy seven years ago. He cast about for the right opportunity to do just that. Mr. Brown quickly discovered a lucrative potential market in the thousands of scuffed shoes pounding the sidewalks of downtown Washington.
People care about their appearance and they wear nice clothes, but they forget about their feet.
Drawing upon the talent he developed as a youngster shining shoes for pocket money, Mr. Brown went to work. He started out in a barber shop near Howard University, but soon hungered for his own business. Mr. Brown dismisses the notion that shoeshining is degrading to blacks. I'm a shoeshine artist. I provide a valuable service, and I do it with a touch of class.