Photos: An entrepreneur at the margins

Rafael Lopez buffs the sole of a shoe he has just repaired. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

March 10, 2015 9:19 PM PT

Rafael Lopez runs his shoe repair business out of a van in Echo Park.

Lopez talks to client Nok Phattamasiri. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Lopez trims the sole of a boot. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Lopez’s workshop. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Fancy shoes sit on the front seat of Lopez’s van. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Lopez accepts a boot from client Ishmael Hernandez. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Lopez glues a sole onto a boot. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)