Robert Campbell: From Pittsburgh Boy To Boca’s Go-To Shoe Guy
By: Quezia Salgado
The Shoe Industry is made up of hundreds of manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Among them, BBC International stands out as a prominent footwear sourcing agent, representing the largest providers and specialty brands in the world, for more than 30 years. This long history of success is undoubtedly due to the hard work and efforts of BBC’s incredible team, but none of it would have been possible without the boldness of its CEO and founder Robert B. Campbell. On a recent interview with Mr. Campbell, the Boca Tribune was able to find out a bit more about this incredible man, who has made such a difference in the community.
As a child, growing up in Pittsburgh with his mother and three sisters, the idea of owning a multi-million dollar company, was far from Robert’s mind. For six years, they lived in the attic of his grandmother’s house, while his mother worked at his grandpa’s bakery – the same bakery where Robert started working at the age of 9. “My mother did nothing but work hard; she was amazing and taught us all about respect and ethics, and raised us in a good Christian family.” Despite their humble beginnings, Robert says his family never knew the word “poor”; they never thought of themselves as poor, “We always knew we were a lucky and happy family”.
After his mother remarried, Robert and his family moved to Detroit when he was 15 years old. There Mr. Campbell attended Cass Tech High School, which was rated the country’s #1 tech school at the time. At Cass Tech, Robert was involved with music and athletics, playing in the concert band and football team. During his junior year he started working part-time at a local Kinney Shoe store, where his career started. Robert made $35 that first week, but his true goal was to make $100, “I never had a goal about being rich because I thought I was rich; making $100 a week at 16 years old, I thought that was the greatest thing in the world.” Robert was quickly promoted to store manager, and later regional buyer and started traveling all over the States doing special buys for Kinney. By 1963 Bob became a buyer for F.W. Woolworth, which was Kinney’s parent company at the time; there he worked for 9 years, traveling the world as the Developing Director of Footwear.
The bureaucracy of big companies became too stressful for Robert, so in 1975 he founded BBC International. He started by himself, with only one secretary, and a few good people who were a great help in encouraging Bob, and are considered mentors to him. One of those was Cam Anderson – founder of Footlocker – “I worked directly with him in Chicago and every time I needed help with anything he was there for me.” Another one of Bob’s mentors was Harvey Levy, from Pagoda International, “…he was my competitor, but he said: ‘If you need any help, let me know.’”
Although Robert never had a life plan he always knew that if he focused on something and worked hard at it, he would be successful: “My only ambition was to work hard, get ahead, and I knew it would pay off; I just always felt confident about that; I was never afraid of failure.” This same confidence is what makes Mr. Campbell such an important part of the Boca community. For many years, he has been involved in several charities and organizations, among which is the Boca Historical Society and Museum – the official organizer of the Bacchanal Wine & Food Festival. Robert has attended the festival every year since its inception, 12 years ago, and for 2014 he was named Honorary Chair of the event, “I think the Bacchanal does fabulous things for the town, and what I like most is that it’s a local event, it stays within the community.” Those interested in attending the Bacchanal have to go through the Boca Historical Society to purchase tickets, and should hurry because this year’s promises to be one for the memories.
With such a record of achievements, not to mention all the awards received for his charity contributions, Robert Campbell’s example is one worth imitating. From a young kid working at a bakery, to multi-millionaire business owner, Robert’s life is a demonstration of what someone can accomplish if they work hard and remain humble and grateful. His advice to young entrepreneurs is simply: “Work hard, have a goal, and don’t complain!” At 76 years old, Mr. Campbell’s energy and passion for his work remain unchanged; he is undoubtedly a living legend, whose legacy will live on for years to come.
