Happy Mother's Day!

[Above; The Sajdaks (L to R): Stan, Sue, Jim and Emerence.]

At Stan’s Shoes, Mother’s Day means more than flowers and brunch. It’s a chance to honor the people whose strength, love, and steady dedication shape families, communities, and businesses, often behind the scenes. One of the most meaningful examples of that in our own story is Emerence Sajdak, the wife of our founder Stan Sajdak and the quiet force behind the early days of what would become Stan’s Shoes.

Stan was known for his big personality. He was witty, charming, and unforgettable. In a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, his son Jim Sajdak, President and CEO of Stan’s Fit For Your Feet and New Balance Milwaukee, remembered how Stan could manage a busy store like it was second nature.

“He could handle a store full of people like no one I know,” Jim recalled. “It was like he was juggling plates.”

But while Stan was often the face of the business, Emerence was the foundation. She handled the books, managed the behind-the-scenes work, and helped keep everything moving forward with steady leadership and vision. As the article noted, “He was the public face of the business. She was the busy silent partner, handling the books and other work.”

Jim described his mother as someone who left a lasting impression on everyone she met.

“You talked to her, and your life just sparkled after that,” he said. “She was always that strong person who had that vision for the growth of the business.”

And that story is one we know is shared by so many families. Mothers are not all quiet, but their work is often overlooked. The years spent raising children and supporting loved ones are filled with countless acts of care, patience, and sacrifice, the kind that may seem small in the moment but are truly heroic over time. As a third-generation, family-owned local business, we understand how much of our success is rooted in the strength of mothers. We are grateful not only for Emerence, but for every mother who has helped build our business, support our team, and shape the community around us.

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate Emerence, the mothers within the Stan’s family, and all moms everywhere whose love and dedication make a difference every single day.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Stan’s Shoes.

Emerence and Stan Sajdak in front of the original Stan’s Bootery.

The Sajdak Family today (from L to R): Andy, Dave, Jim, Sue, Megan, and Ben