In 1917 Joseph left his family and travelled on his own to Belfast and started a footwear business at 99 Sandy Row. At this time Joseph set about teaching himself the specialised craft of high class boot and shoemaking. Through lots of hard work and dedication the business soon became established and this lead to Joseph having to employ seven or eight men in his workshop. Sandy Row at this time was seen as a working class area but Joseph had built up a clientele from the more affluent nearby areas of Malone and the Lisburn Road. This led to him earning a reputation as a bespoke shoemaker to the gentry. As the business continued to flourish Joseph proceeded to get married and have his own family. He had three sons, Stanley was born in October 1927, Don in May 1929 and Vance in September 1930.
