Emily Watts, co-founder of Coblrshop, is stepping into the entrepreneurial realm with a fresh approach to shoe and leather goods repair through a mail-in service.
Established in March 2023, Coblrshop aims to enhance the repair experience for customers frustrated with traditional cobbler services.
“We’ve both bought secondhand clothing and shoes for years and were frustrated with the repair-shop experience. It often can be hard to find a reputable cobbler,” Emily Watts shared, speaking about her motivation behind the startup.
The mechanics of Coblrshop are straightforward yet innovative. Once customers visit the website, they can submit a repair order and receive prepaid packaging to ship their items back to Coblrshop.
Throughout the repair process, customers receive regular updates regarding the status of their items, ensuring a seamless experience.
Fostering connections was integral to the startup’s inception; Emily, who comes from a tech background and has experience in leadership roles at various startups, partnered with Leslie Bateman, who had an inspired vision to improve the customer repair experience.
Their collaboration on the platform Wellfound set the stage for Coblrshop’s launch.
Watts emphasizes that their mission aligns closely with championing the circular economy, which is gradually amassing a staggering estimated value of nearly a trillion dollars.
“None of it’s possible without repair,” she notes, insisting on the importance of making repair services more accessible to consumers.
Coblrshop’s services range from typical repairs, averaging around $160, to more extensive work such as handbag rebuilds that can cost up to $1,000.
The startup aims to link leather-goods brands with skilled repair artisans, promoting the idea of ‘repair, not replace.’
In the competitive landscape of startups, Emily Watts reflects on valuable lessons learned as an entrepreneur.
Quoting venture capitalist John Doerr, she states, “Ideas are easy. Execution is everything.”
The realization that turning concepts into tangible operations requires dedication is a key takeaway from her journey.
The innovations at Coblrshop have not gone unnoticed; they were honored with the Reusies Award for Most Innovative Reuse Company in the Fashion & Apparel category in 2024.
Looking forward, Coblrshop has ambitious plans for growth.
Emily highlighted a primary goal of building out a network of repair businesses to better connect with brand partners.
Additionally, the startup intends to fundraise to expand the team further, aiming for a stronger presence in Philadelphia, where Emily believes there are high-quality candidates.
“We have a six-person team spread around the U.S. and the globe,” she added, underlining the importance of a physical presence in her local community.
When it comes to her personal shoe repair habits, Emily shares her passion for shoes, stating that the majority of her collection consists of secondhand purchases.
Her favorite pair, the Stubbs and Wootton shoes, holds a special place in her heart, often requiring repairs due to her extensive wear.
Coblrshop’s journey illustrates a burgeoning movement toward sustainable consumerism, offering a fresh alternative to footwear and leather goods ownership with its innovative mail-in repair service.
image source from：https://www.phillymag.com/life-style/2025/04/24/coblrshop-mail-shoe-repair/
