Michael Budman

Michael Budman and his business partner Don Green learned to love Canada when they were boys growing up in Michigan, and moved here in 1969, founding Roots in 1973 and introducing us to that icon of '70s footwear: the earth shoe.

Since then Roots has become an international concern, while maintaining its Canadiana-goes-to-college aesthetic throughout its lines of sportswear and leather goods, which now includes a signature line by artist/novelist Douglas Coupland.

It's not surprising that Budman is a relentless booster, both for his adopted country and the city he's called home for over forty years.

What is your day job?

I am the co-founder of Roots Canada.

What neighbourhood do you live in?

Forest Hill. I've lived there for eleven years - I love it! It's extremely central. It's seventeen minutes to the airport, eight minutes to where I work at the Roots leather factory, eight minutes to Bloor, to midtown. It's a very beautiful residential area, and it's got a nice little village with some great little restaurants like Edo, or Banfi, a great newsstand, a great variety store. Second Cup, Starbucks, a photo shop - it's a great little community.

Roots seems like such a Canadian company - how differently do you do business in the U.S. and elsewhere?

Roots was started in Canada in 1973, it's our world headquarters, and we feel we were one of the first, or the first company, that actively pursued its Canadian identity. So when people buy Roots they know it's a Canadian company and a good percentage of all our products are made in Canada. I don't look at it as selling Canada. I look at it as part of the values and the culture of our country, and I guess Don Green and I love Canada.

We went to summer camp here as kids, we both immigrated to Canada by choice, and we love the culture, the nature, the sports of the country, and the people. And the diversity. And hopefully the open-mindedness of it. And Canada's in vogue - it's probably the most desirable place to live in the world today. It was, for me and my wife, a wonderful place to bring up and educate our children.

Do you have any travel tips?

Yeah - number one is never check any baggage. If you need more than a carry-on, ship it by Fed-Ex. Checking bags is almost impossible in today's world. Try and always fly against the congestion. Tuesday is a good day to travel, but never travel on Friday afternoon or come home Sunday night. You need great bags, and I always travel with a leather jacket because it's so versatile. And always travel with clothing that can be layered.

First class or coach?

Well, I can afford first class and so that's how I travel, but I'm not espousing that for everybody.

Aisle or window?

Aisle.

Aside from friends and family, what do you miss about Toronto when you're away?

I always love coming back to Toronto, because everywhere I travel to, and I love to travel and love to learn and love to be on the road, but I miss my house. I feel very satisfied living in this city.

When you're away, do you see things in other cities you'd like to adopt here?

I think the biggest thing I'd love to see adopted in Toronto is to continue to rework the waterfront; it's much better but it's not Chicago. I just heard about this new beach club, Sugar Beach or something, but I think that's the biggest weakness - the Gardiner, and how there was no real vision about the waterfront.

Where are you off to next?

Algonquin Park, Ontario - my favorite place in the world. I've had a rustic cabin there since 1968. I was a young kid, but the best single decision I made in my life was moving to Toronto.

Writing by Rick McGinnis