ROOTS MVP OF THE MONTH
Way out west, Lea Weir and Roots go way back. Fortunately for Roots, that collaboration flourishes today more than ever.  
May 2006

Whether it's her long-time commitment to Roots, her great affinity for the brand or her major contribution to the company,  

Lea Weir has few rivals when it comes to her storied relationship with Roots. For more than 30 years, Roots has figured prominently in her life. During that time, Lea has been involved with Roots in Western Canada in various roles.

To listen to Lea talk about Roots - both the people and the products behind the name - is to marvel at her genuinely gracious, positive manner and her deep sense of pride in working at a company and for people she respects.

"If I'm still involved in Roots after all these years," says Lea, 54, who is the Manager of the Roots store in Victoria, British Columbia, "it's because I love the Roots culture. I am proud to work for a Canadian company that sells a product that is unsurpassed in quality for its price. I love the fact that Roots has always been organic in nature continually changing, growing and adapting to current needs and trends. I love the people I work for and those I work with. I am still here because a day at Roots is a day filled with challenge, laughter and the opportunity for success."

Lea's history with Roots began in 1975 when, as a university student in Victoria, she worked part-time at the local Roots store, which at the time sold only footwear. "I was drawn to the unusual concept of the negative heel shoe," says Lea. "I thought it would be awesome to work for a Canadian company selling a unique product. I also loved the space where the Roots store in Victoria was located at the time (overlooking Victoria's gorgeous inner harbour). The store has since moved location four times."

In the late 1970s, Lea began her own business selling educational toys. She never lost touch with Roots, becoming a regular customer purchasing new products each season.  So began her love affair with Roots leather goods that continues to this day.

"I have owned and worn almost every style of shoe and boot Roots has ever made from negative heel Mary Janes to the roots clog on a Dutch sole, and tuff boots in every color of the rainbow," says Lea. "I have bags in every size, colour, and shape and have traveled many places with my Roots luggage in tow." 

By 1982, Lea had started a family, sold her toy business and embarked on another venture with a children's clothing store called Bambini. Among the products she sold were Roots shoes for kids. During this time, her husband owned and operated the Roots franchise in Victoria and Lea helped out whenever she could.  

In 1987, she sold Bambini and moved to her hometown of Vancouver. Over the next ten years, she focused on being a mother, took classes at the university, and helped out with the Roots stores in BC.

In 1997, when her husband retired from Roots as a franchise owner, Lea joined the Roots management team. Her responsibilities included managing the store in Victoria, trouble shooting for the regional manager in Western Canada, helping open stores and at one point supervising eight stores (three on Vancouver Island and five in Edmonton).

Next year, Lea will celebrate her 10th anniversary at the helm of the 1,700 sq. ft store in downtown Victoria. She calls it her second home and brings a youthful exuberance to the job. She never seems to tire of her work. That's reflected in the fact that in terms of its sales performance, the store just recorded its strongest quarter in recent years.

"Great things have happened for me at Roots," says Lea. "I've met so many celebrities while working at Roots. I worked for Roots at the Ontario Pavilion at Expo 86 in Vancouver that was an unbelievable experience. I was part of the 'elite' Roots Olympic Team sent to Park City and Salt Lake City in 2002. It was supposed to be a two-week stint but ended up lasting two months. More recently, I was lucky to have been one of the winners of the Retail Managers Jamaica Trip in January." 

Lea is quick to pay tribute to her colleagues, past and present. "I've been so fortunate to have worked with truly inspiring and amazing people through the years," adds Lea. "Currently, I work with Samara Snyder and Ross Schafer. Samara has been absolutely outstanding in terms of support, guidance, and focus. My success in the first quarter this year was a direct result of Samara's unfailing commitment to help me meet with success. Her coaching and motivation are unsurpassed and if I could pass the MVP torch, it would be directly to her."

Lea is equally enthusiastic about Roots Co-Founders Michael Budman and Don Green, who she first met in the 1970s. She has tremendous respect and affinity for them, something they reciprocate.

"We are so fortunate to have Lea in Victoria," says Michael. "As a seasoned veteran at Roots, she has such a great perspective and contributes so much to the continuity of what we do. She represents Roots in a dignified and positive manner. Lea loves the Roots culture and has stood by the company through its evolution and adds so much to our presence in the west." - R.S.

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