worldie began in a customer discovery program at the University of Chicago, where we spoke with parents about the constant struggle of buying kids shoes. between rapid growth, short-lived interests in multiple sports, and shoes that rarely fit well or support developing feet, parents described a cycle of frustration and unnecessary expense. we saw a clear opportunity to build something better – a single, high-quality multi-sport shoe designed specifically for growing kids and the way they play. with help from a team of footwear designers and product developers, the idea for worldie took shape.
it took nearly four years, multiple prototype rounds, kid wear-testing and deep community involvement to create a shoe that met our standards. when we finally partnered with a designer who understood our vision, everything clicked. the result was a durable, comfortable, multi-sport kids’ shoe with real purpose. built for the sampling phase of childhood, worldie is the one shoe meant to replace multiple sport shoes as kids try everything. to validate it with a broader audience, we launched a small kickstarter and tripled our goal.
today, we’re preparing for a global launch and building toward an even bigger vision: hyperlocal manufacturing, true circularity, predictive tech, and community-centered design. through worldie, we hope to offer parents a brand they can trust. one that’s premium in quality, playful in spirit, innovative in approach, and fully committed to solving real problems in kids’ footwear.
aaron is a lifelong athlete and sharp operator. he grew up playing every sport he could - winning some, losing plenty, and learning a lot along the way. helping others has always been part of who he is, and after looking back at his own childhood, he realized the footwear industry wasn’t doing nearly enough for young athletes. he teamed up with brandan and surveyed hundreds of parents, confirming the gap. now he’s focused on building a shoe that lets kids play as many sports as they want, just like he did.
aaron graduated magna cum laude from Wharton and holds a JD/MBA from the University of Chicago. he has advised some of the world’s largest companies as a management consultant.
sports: soccer, hockey, basketball, baseball.
brandan brings a mix of discipline, curiosity and real-world experience. as a dad of three, he’s the coach at home, and after 13 years in the air force, he knows what perseverance actually looks like. he’s been around sports his whole life and understands what it takes to help kids thrive on and off the field. with a JD/MBA from the University of Chicago,
brandan is a strategic advisor to startups, blending legal insight with practical business sense. when he’s not building worldie, he’s outdoors, tweaking his fantasy football lineup, recording the podcast, or flying as a private pilot. he’s always chasing the next idea and the next adventure.
sports: football, basketball, soccer, golf.
we build worldies to keep up with young athletes and care for the world they’re growing into. that means recycled materials, durable construction that lasts longer, a trade-in program to keep shoes out of landfills, and future plans for hyperlocal manufacturing to cut shipping and waste. every pair is designed with purpose, so families can feel good about what their kids wear every day.
