Partner Spotlight: Rob & Tricia Egan, Owners of Hampton Shoe

Rob and Tricia Egan, owners of St. Louis Staple Hampton Shoe, take pride in being a family owned and operated company since 1989. “We specialize in high-quality work boots and exceptional customer service, providing professional fittings to ensure every worker finds the right footwear for their specific environment.” Rob started the business at just 19 years old, and Tricia brought her expertise from a business degree and a long career at Levi Strauss & Company to Hampton Shoe in 2003. “Together, we have spent decades dedicated to the footwear needs of the workforce.”

Tricia and Rob believe that Missouri is home to “unlimited employment opportunities” for skilled workers, but the biggest challenge facing workers looking for steady employment lies in “‘connecting the dots’, matching the interests and skills of students and workers with the specific economic sectors where they can truly flourish.”Supporting Missouri Works Initiative was an easy decision once we learned about their mission. For over 30 years, we have championed the skilled trades and promoted American manufacturing. Partnering with Missouri Works Initiative allowed us to take that commitment a step further by directly supporting those entering these vital industries.”

Hampton Shoe is proud to work hand-in-hand with Missouri Works Initiative, who they say “removes barriers to entry by providing workers with the direction and essential gear they need to start a career in the trades. We support this by providing the necessary safety-toe footwear at a discounted price, ensuring that the cost of high-quality gear isn’t a hurdle for someone starting their journey.”

The Missouri Works Initiatives students they help aren’t strangers, “the most rewarding part of this partnership is seeing MWI graduates return to our store as successful professionals. We’ve had several St. Louis graduates become repeat customers, and seeing their career progress from students to established tradespeople is truly inspiring.”

We are so grateful to Tricia, Rob, and Hampton Shoe for their continued partnership and true investment in the futures of our Pre-Apprenticeship students and graduates. Asked if there is anything they wanted to share with readers, they said, “We are honored to continue our partnership with the Missouri Works Initiative. This organization is bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, helping to build the individuals who will, quite literally, be building the future of our country for years to come.”

If you want to be part of this mission and invest in Missouri’s future workforce, we’d love to partner with you. Contact Megan Price at mprice@moworks.org.