Shoe Designer Runs After $1 Million Challenge

Notes from Chris

Episode 704

Growing up, Justin Schneider spent a lot of time running. In high school, he was a natural track star. He then ran for Notre Dame and won a handful of awards, including setting the school record for the Heptathlon.

While in college, many of the projects for his industrial design degree came back to the same thing: athletic shoes. He loved dreaming up ways to improve shoes and sketched designs he hoped to turn into reality someday.

But he didn’t want to just dream, so he called up the Adidas customer service line and asked about a summer internship. Then he called again... And again. After a few weeks, he finally got through to the Senior Designer of Cleated Sports (real title!) who he convinced to give him a spot in the internship.

After graduating, he spent a few years working in the industry—but he was never fully satisfied. He wanted to do something more exciting and unconventional. He eventually stepped away from the shoe world for a few months to sketch newly discovered plant species in Madagascar for National Geographic. He needed a break and was starting to burn out, and it was here that his hustle idea came to him.

A friend from back home called up. “I just bought an expensive pair of handmade English dress shoes, but they’re killing my feet,” his friend said. “Why can’t my dress shoes feel good?”

It was just the type of challenge Justin was looking for—and he threw himself into it. He gave himself 90 days to dream up a design, find a manufacturer, and create a prototype. Since he was already somewhat connected in the industry, it wasn’t hard to find a manufacturing partner. He went to the shoe capital of Mexico: Leon.

Somehow, he had a prototype in his hands 90 days later—and it was just what he had imagined.

He named his future brand Wolf and Shepherd to convey the ambition of the brand (the wolf), as well as its mission to guide and protect the foot (the shepherd).

The problem was, Justin only had about $15,000 to his name to invest, but the minimum manufacturing cost was $60,000. He needed to raise money, and a lot of it.

It wasn't easy convincing people to buy a pair of shoes before trying them on, but somehow, after four grueling weeks of calling and emailing and selling and selling some more, he had 600 pre-orders.

It certainly wasn't always easy, and Justin faced many challenges along the way, but to date, Wolf and Shepherd has sold over 200,000 pairs of shoes and has retail partners all over the country. And Justin still isn’t done yet. He’s thrilled about a brand new product launch next year and a big-time brand ambassador that’s going to lead the marketing. We’ll put our feet to the floor and tread lightly!

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Wolf and Shepherd: Checkout the full-lineup of comfortable and stylish dress shoes over on Justin's website!
• Everlane, MeUndies, & Portland Gear: Some other clothing brands that have challenged traditional assumptions

SEE ALSO:

• Hair Salon Owner Designs Mittens For Cold Runners: An avid runner has a difficult time finding gloves or mittens that feel comfortable enough for running while also keep her fingers warm in the winter. She decides to make her own and pursues a patent for her idea
• Outdoorsman Creates "Boat in a Backpack": A construction project manager flies to China and invents a new kind of kayak that folds into its own backpack
• Adventerous Couple Designs and Sells Fashionable Backpacks: Backpacks that bring fashion to the mountains earn a Colorado couple an additional $2,500 a month while also feeding the homeless

Inspiration is good; inspiration combined with action is better. Now get back to work!

Yours in the revolution,