Can a devotee take a franchise store store where some leather shoes are sold?

Question:
I have received an opportunity to take a franchise store that sells shoes, some of which are made of leather. As a devotee, should I go into such a business if it could help me become financially stable faster, allowing me to focus more on Krishna bhakti in the future?

Answer:
This is a personal decision, especially as it relates to one’s profession and family responsibilities. Ultimately, each individual has to decide for themselves. However, scripture can serve as a compass to help us navigate such dilemmas.

From a conservative perspective, Krishna states in Bhagavad-gita 7.28:

yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ janānāṁ puṇya-karmaṇām /
te dvandva-moha-nirmuktā bhajante māṁ dṛḍha-vratāḥ

“Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life, whose sinful actions are completely eradicated, and who are freed from the duality of delusion, engage themselves in My service with determination.”

This verse indicates that dṛḍha-vrataḥ (firm determination in bhakti) requires a life that is materially clean. The concern here is whether we want to entangle ourselves in activities that may carry karmic consequences—consequences we may have to face in this life or in a future one. Why take that risk for temporary financial gain?

From a liberal perspective, Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita 18.48:

sarvārambhā hi doṣeṇa dhūmenāgnir ivāvṛtāḥ

“Every endeavor is covered by some fault, just as fire is covered by smoke.”

This verse implies that no work in this world is completely free from fault. Even in modern professions, like technology, a person may create software used in sinful ways, though their own intent may be pure. So, rather than focusing solely on the technicalities of our work, we can focus on staying connected to Krishna and progressing in our bhakti, despite the inevitable imperfections of material life.

However, this doesn’t mean we can use Bhagavad-gita 18.66—“sarva-dharmān parityajya… mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucah”—as a license to deliberately engage in sinful activities. Krishna said this to Arjuna, who was performing his duty in Krishna’s direct service, not for personal gain.

Additionally, the earlier verse says na tyajet, meaning such work should not be given up, only when one is already engaged in it as one’s duty. The Kshatriyas, for example, sometimes had to fight and even kill relatives as part of their occupational duty—but their life was not defined solely by that one aspect. Similarly, fire being covered by smoke means that while faults exist, the core of the activity is still pure, and a skilled person can reduce the smoke over time.

As devotees, we generally aim to:

• Stay away from activities that are directly connected with breaking the four regulative principles.
• Move away from such activities if we are already involved in them, by making a clear plan to gradually disengage.

That said, life is complex, and what constitutes a violation of the four regulative principles may not always be straightforward. For example, many devotees invest in stocks. Some say stock trading is gambling—but when does it become so? How do you define short-term vs long-term investments? These are nuanced questions. Therefore, ISKCON as a movement cannot police individual decisions, but encourages devotees to take personal responsibility.

As for the promise of financial freedom, one must assess this honestly, not sentimentally. Business always involves risk, and profits may take longer to manifest than expected. If you have a clear plan for how long you will stay in such a business, how it will support your devotional goals, and a defined exit strategy, then you may consider such a venture—like a Kabaddi player entering the opponent’s territory: touch and get out.

Even then, there’s no guarantee that things will go according to plan. So make decisions carefully, consult spiritual authorities, and pray sincerely for guidance. Also, if you do enter such a business, it is wise to substantially increase your charity, to help offset potential karmic entanglement.

Conclusion:
This is a complex decision, requiring careful thought, introspection, and consultation. Whatever you decide, try to keep Krishna at the center of your life and move steadily toward Him.