Today we’d like to introduce you to Dax Williamson.
Hi Dax, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
“I’m Dax Williamson, and Lucky Sole is more than a shoe shop—it’s a family legacy. I’m a fifth-generation cobbler. My grandpa ran Modern Shoe Repair in Provo, my uncle Vern taught my dad the trade and ran a shop near BYU back in the ’60s and ’70s, and the craft just kept getting passed down.
My dad, Craig Williamson, started Lucky Sole about 30 years ago. He was a ski patroller for 40 years, and he had this tough, old-school work ethic—but he also had this magic about him. He built a place where people didn’t just drop off shoes… they’d hang out, tell stories, and feel taken care of.
In 2020, when my dad passed away, the torch came to me. And I decided I wasn’t going to let it fade out. I went all in—renovated, reinvested, and rebuilt. It’s been hard. Like, real hard. But it’s also been worth it. Because now Lucky Sole is not only keeping craftsmanship alive, it’s becoming something that represents Lehi’s history, the community, and the idea that you don’t throw good things away—you restore them. And that’s kind of the whole philosophy of the shop, and honestly, my life too.”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not even close — it’s been rewarding, but it hasn’t been smooth.
One of the biggest struggles was stepping into the business after my dad passed in 2020. You’re dealing with grief, but you also have customers, bills, employees, and a reputation that’s been built over decades. I felt a lot of pressure to keep the legacy alive and not mess it up.
Another big challenge has been money and risk. I went all-in on improving the shop — equipment, renovation, branding, making it something special — and that takes serious capital. There were stretches where it felt like I was betting on myself every single day and hoping the numbers would catch up.
Then there’s the reality of running a small business: staffing, payroll, supply costs, and just the chaos of wearing every hat. In shoe repair you don’t just sell a product — you take on unpredictable jobs. Some jobs go smooth, some are nightmares, and you still have to deliver high-quality work every time.
And honestly, one of the hardest parts has been modernizing an old-school trade. Getting systems in place, pushing social media, building a website and mail-in repair, and trying to grow while still doing hands-on craft work… it’s a balancing act.
But the upside is: every struggle has made the shop stronger. The work matters, the community supports it, and I’m building something my dad would be proud of — just with my own stamp on it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Shoe Repair
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
“Growing up, I was ski-life. Sundance in the ’80s and ’90s shaped me — cold mornings, hard work, and that mountain mindset where you earn everything and you don’t complain. Personality-wise, I was high energy, stubborn in a good way, and I liked anything hands-on — if it involved skill, tools, or adrenaline, I was in.
After that, I did a serious culinary and bar run — hospitality taught me pace, pressure, people, and how to create an experience, not just a transaction. Then I went deep into photography, because I’ve always been obsessed with details, texture, light — the same stuff that shows up in leatherwork and restoration.
Then life hit hard: COVID, I lost my job, and my dad passed in 2020. That’s when I went all-in and took the torch at Lucky Sole. Now I’m building it into more than a repair shop — it’s legacy + craft + community, with a bigger vision.” 
Contact Info:
- Website: luckysoleshoerepair.com
- Instagram: @luckysoleshoerepair
- Facebook: Lucky Sole Shoe Repair | Lehi UT
- Text (no calls): (801) 766-8626
- Email: luckysolelehi@gmail.com
