I have a simple rule for referrals to my clients, be they for products, services or providers—that I would send a close friend or family member to that business without hesitation.

That's something I can say about Fleet Feet Sports on Main Street in Pleasanton, just south of Angela.

Here's why: The store is run and operated by well-qualified, committed and passionate running shoe and apparel retailers who want happy, healthy and satisfied customers. And, as long as I've known of the store, it's been that way.

A little history…

Back in 1998, when I started my fitness-training business, the also fairly new owner of the store was Laurey Davis. She had a reputation for a quick wit, a passion for running and a fierce drive to make the store a success. She was an accomplished runner and had competed in numerous marathons, including the Boston Marathon.

But my personal experience with Laurey was as a generous and supportive fellow business owner. During the early period of building my business, there were many times that Laurey let me set up a card table and display to promote my business during the Saturday morning farmers' market.

I brought fruit for the "Huffers and Puffers," Fleet Feet's Saturday morning running group, and fielded questions about healthy eating habits, cross training and how to avoid repetitive stress injuries that can plague high-mileage runners.

Laurey also was free with her time and guidance on customer service and insights on our shared client demographic.

Over the years, dozens of clients and many hundreds of sessions I've delivered have been a direct or indirect result of my association with Fleet Feet while under her ownership.

During my first year in business, I met Mark Aiton, also an escapee from the high-tech corporate world and the owner of a very successful race timing and event management company called On Your Mark Events. I learned later that Mark was the original owner of Fleet Feet before Laurey.

He had been asked to sponsor local races, and then help organize and manage them. That was it. Mark fell in love with this new endeavor and promptly sold the store to Laurey.

One year I helped his crew set up the course for the popular "Tri-For Fun" series held at Shadow Cliffs Reservoir every summer. I found Mark's expertise, dedication and work ethic to be unparalleled. The same can be said for his loyal and hard-working team.

So it's no mystery how he sold Laurey a thriving store with a solid and growing customer base. Years later I asked Mark, whose website gets several thousands of hits each month, if he would trade links with my fledgling site, which captured less than 100 monthly hits.

My link was on his site the next day.

In 2007, Laurey sold the store to current owners Debbie and Ethan Falls. Debbie, too, turned in her corporate card (marketing) for the chance to be a successful small-business owner. She has built on the best of the previous eras and continued Fleet Feet's reputation as one of the most reliable and trusted Main Street businesses.

With regular training camps for newly anointed runners, workshops by experts on nutrition and knowledgeable staff on the right equipment for what can be a very intense sport, where the goal is to achieve optimal performance and minimize injury, Fleet Feet Pleasanton continues to redirect the focus of retail sales from price to value.

That's a lesson a smart customer needs to learn only once.

Looking for a store sells running shoes? Here are some in the Tri-Valley area:

• World of Shoes, Dublin
• Doms Outdoor Outfitters, Livermore
• Big 5 Sporting Goods, San Ramon