Y2K burgundy suede Vans sneakersIn 1944, Paul Van Doren dropped out of school at age 14. His mother, Rena, didn't give in to the idea of her son not wanting to study and sent him to work at Randy's, a shoe manufacturer. The work consisted of cleaning floors and making shoes. Over the years, Paul became the head of the company, Executive Vice President at age 34. In the 1960s Van Doren decided to launch his own production, starting the Van Doren Rubber Company, better known as Vans.