As somebody who works in financial services, pretty much all my shoes are business appropriate ballet flats and loafers. I walk to work, so it's not really practical for me to wear heels.
I'm very brand loyal-once I know of a brand that fits my wide feet well, I'll stick with it forever, unless I notice a decrease in the quality. I really, really like Coach shoes, as well as Michael Kors. They're both surprisingly affordable, in the $120-$150 range. However, I wait for the department store sales, and usually snag them at the $70-90 price point.
I'm very hard on my shoes, as I walk just about everywhere, so they need to be comfy and versatile but, as mentioned previously, still professional. I always buy classic styles which stay in style for the 3-4 years that I wear them and then I sell them to consignment stores to reclaim $10 or so when I'm done. That's the crazy part about brand names-even if shoes are well worn, most consignment stores will still buy them just because of their logo!
Also, good cobblers are worth their weight in gold. I have 2 pairs of Frye boots that I bought at a crazy sale ($130 instead of $450!) and have since completely replaced the sole on one pair for a measley $20. Much cheaper than purchasing a whole new pair! Although the upfront investment on great shoes/boots can be steep, if you can maintain them for a relatively low cost, their cost/wear can make them completely worth it.