The Founder Story

It Started With Two Dogs

If you know me, you know two things about me.

First, I love my kids more than anything in the world.

And second, because I love my kids, I love their dogs like they are my own grandchildren.

So it probably will not surprise you that when I decided to start something completely new, something that was mine, I named it after Jo and Lou.

A New Chapter

Most of my adult life has been spent leading, fixing, improving, and growing things for other people.

I have worked in public service, led organizations, served as president of a university, worked with nonprofits, and spent my career taking on some pretty big challenges. I am proud of every chapter because each one taught me something and helped shape who I am.

But somewhere along the way, I started thinking about what I wanted this next chapter of my life to look like.

And for the first time in a long time, I wanted to do something for myself.

Something that belonged to me.

Something that could grow alongside the life I have now, instead of asking me to put everything else on hold for the next job, the next meeting, the next crisis, or someone else's expectations.

I wanted to work hard, because I have never really known how not to work hard, but I wanted that work to benefit my family and my future.

In other words, I wanted to invest in myself.

I wanted the freedom to create.

I wanted to set my own schedule.

And honestly, I wanted to be myself.

Why Apparel?

I know. Of all the things I have done in my career, starting an apparel company probably was not what anyone expected.

It certainly was not what I expected either. But the more I thought about what I wanted this next chapter to look like, the more an idea that once seemed completely out of left field started to make perfect sense.

But here is the truth.

I love it.

I love creating designs. I love seeing an idea that starts in my head become something real that someone else wants to wear. I love thinking about what people care about, whether it is their favorite team, their faith, their dogs, books, being outdoors, or simply finding humor in everyday life.

And then I realized something else.

This is actually what I want to wear now.

For years, my closet was filled with suits, blazers, dresses, and the professional uniform that came with my work. These days, I would much rather put on a comfortable sweatshirt or t-shirt, grab the dogs, head outside, work from my computer, meet someone for coffee, or spend the day with the people I love.

Comfort no longer feels like giving something up.

It feels like freedom.

And apparently, I am not alone.

The Dogs Behind the Name

Jo is my son's German Shepherd. She is smart, serious, fiercely loyal, and always seems to have a job to do.

Lou, officially Lucy, is my daughter's Goldendoodle and is exactly the opposite. She has never met a person she did not immediately love and has never encountered a dog she did not assume wanted to be her best friend.

They could not be more different.

But they have both become such a big part of our family that when I started thinking about what to call this new adventure, their names were the only ones that made sense.

They have also done more for me than they probably realize. Walking them gets me outside, moving, thinking, and enjoying the day. They remind me to slow down, get outside, and enjoy the life happening right in front of me. In a lot of ways, they have become part of what this next chapter is about.

Two very different dogs. Both completely loved.

That felt like the right place to start.

More Than a Dog Brand

Now, before anyone assumes I have opened a shop filled entirely with dog shirts, let me clear that up.

Yes, there are plenty of designs for dog lovers because, obviously, that part was unavoidable.

But Jo & Lou quickly became much more than that.

It is a lifestyle brand inspired by the things I genuinely love. Sports. Team pride. Being outdoors. Books. Faith. Humor. Family. Dogs. Comfortable clothes that make you feel good while you're actually living your life.

The best part is getting to see where an idea can go when I give myself the freedom to pursue it.

A few months ago, this was just an idea.

Today, Jo & Lou is a real company with designs that reflect the things I love and customers who are finding pieces that speak to them.

And I cannot tell you how much that means to me.

This Is My Second Chapter

After spending so much of my life working for organizations and causes that mattered to other people, there is something deeply satisfying about having the freedom to make my own decisions, take my own risks, follow my instincts, and see where my own ideas can take me.

I have no idea exactly where this journey will take me.

But I know this.

I am excited again.

And at this stage of life, that feels pretty amazing.

So, this is Jo & Lou.

Named after two dogs I love because they belong to two people I love even more.

Created by me.

Inspired by the life I am living now.

And hopefully filled with things that make you smile, laugh, feel connected to something you love, or simply feel good wearing.

I hope you will follow along and see where this little adventure goes.

And if you find something you love, I hope you will wear it proudly.

Because this time, I am not working toward someone else's vision.

I am choosing my own.