The Schneiders’ journey from college athletes to footwear innovators is a testament to their shared determination and resilience. After college, Justin pursued a career in footwear design, starting with Adidas and later moving to New Balance. Recalling his early days at Adidas, Justin vividly describes his first project: a modular track spike for multi-event athletes. But it was a conversation with his design director that truly shaped his approach to design.

“I remember my design director asking me, ‘What does every athlete want?'” Justin recounts. “And I said, ‘Well, they want lightweight, comfortable shoes with support.’ But he stopped me and said, ‘No, every athlete wants to win. That’s their purpose.'” It was this pivotal moment that inspired Justin to rethink his approach to design. “He challenged me to think about how we could inspire athletes to win with our shoes, and that’s a philosophy that I’ve carried with me ever since,” he explained.

The inspiration behind Wolf & Shepherd’s name and philosophy is as unique as the brand itself. Justin and Hope, both former athletes, found themselves drawn to the characteristics of a wolf and a shepherd. The wolf embodies ambition, drive, and fearlessness, while the shepherd represents guidance and support. “It’s about empowering individuals to perform at their best, whether they’re on the track, in the office, or out on the town. And that’s the ethos that drives everything we do at Wolf & Shepherd,” Justin added.