With the country opening-up for the first time in the early 1980s, young people began paying more attention to the way they dress. "Leather shoes became chic," Zhang said.
His products in high demand, Zhang earned a good salary and was soon promoted to head of the factory's production department.
But the good times didn't last long. As reforms continued, dozens of shoe factories sprouted up along the country's coast, bringing Zhang's factory to the brink of closure in the 1990s.
In 1997, he was laid off. In the same year, his father passed away. As his father lay dying, he told Zhang "Crafting is a useful skill for a lifetime, they stay dignified wherever they go."
Shortly after, Zhang was offered a job in southern China, but stayed due to his mother's failing health. Instead, he bought a second-hand sewing machine and some tools for 600 yuan and opened his custom shoe shop.
His first few months of being self-employed were filled with anxiety. He felt ashamed and was worried friends would see him in the shop.
Business was also slow, as most customers just came for simple repairs. His wife chastened him for turning down the job in the south.
Then one day, an old man and his son entered the shop. The father had never worn shoe on his right foot due to genetic deformity. "The old man had wrapped his foot in cloth," Zhang said.
So Zhang set to work making him a custom pair of shoes. "I saw the look of happiness on his face when he wore my shoes, I felt a real honor and pride as an artisan," Zhang said.
Those first customers triggered a flurry of orders and his shop soon received media attention. Zhang has been busy ever since, with the orders placed this year set to be finished in 2018.
Despite the long waiting list, Zhang has promised to speed up orders for newly weds and those with foot deformities without additional fare.
He also promised not to authorize other small manufacturing factories to reduce costs. "I must keep the reputation of the workshop, even though small tasks could be finished outside my shop and not noticed by the customers."
"Feeding my family is just a basic requirement for my workshop," he said. "I'm determined to be a master, not just a shoemaker."
But, as time goes on and the economic drive continues, Zhang worries he may be the last of a generation that cherishes the art of fine custom craftsmanship.
China has more than 3,000 years history creating leather shoes, Zhang said. But with the rise of modern industry, traditional handicrafts have lost their glory.
He used to have several students. But only one successfully applied to pursue the art further by studying in Italy. Most could not bear the dull and hard work, choosing instead to work at mass production factories in order to get rich quick.
"Handicrafts should supplement modern industry," Zhang said. "I believe in another old Chinese saying 'adept skill is better than fertile farmland'."
