Sharon Goode; President, CEO of Fashion Belt Manufacturing Firm

Sharon Goode, who transformed Prestige Leather Creations from a small maker of dog leashes and collars into one of the nation’s top manufacturers of men’s and women’s belts, has died. She was 47.

Mrs. Goode suffered an apparent heart attack Friday and died shortly after being rushed to Verdugo Hills Hospital.

A company official said Saturday that Mrs. Goode’s husband, Rick, will assume his wife’s duties as president and chief executive officer of the leather goods company.

The company, which uses the brand names Prestige, Absolutely Fresh and Al Beres USA, was recognized by Inc Magazine as one of the nation’s fastest-growing privately held companies in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

The fashion belts, designed with rivets and nailheads, sell in such department stores as Nordstrom and The Broadway. A cheaper line is marketed through Sears and K mart. The Vernon-based company also makes belts that are sold with clothes manufactured by such fashion companies as Guess.

When Mrs. Goode took over the small company from a friend, sales were about $1 million a year. Sales now top $20 million annually.

“I never thought it would grow this fast,” Mrs. Goode told the Los Angeles Times in 1989. “It just happened.”

Acknowledging that she regularly worked 12-hour days, Mrs. Goode said she loved her job.

“I’ve taken one vacation in the last 10 years,” she said, “and I hated it.”

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Goode is survived by her 12-year-old son, Brandon.

The family has asked that any memorial contributions be sent to the Los Angeles chapter of the American Cancer Society, 3355 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90010.