Meet Katie Duncan | Co-Founder, Wanderwild

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Duncan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
This is SUCH a good question. At Wanderwild, we believe that “Experiences are Everything.” The ideas and thought process behind the very foundation of our business, began in our own homes with our families. We strive to live this out daily with our children. It’s not just about scoring goals at soccer games, going skiing on the weekends, or helping the community around us. It’s asking yourself, what good are we going to do with this day? Who are we going to impact with our words and actions? How are we going to appreciate it in a new way, by learning about and being grateful for its’ mere existence. It’s understanding and teaching our children how we can leave footprints in each moment that make the world a better place.

Choosing to live by these values and then creating Wanderwild as a catalyst behind it has been such an important learning experience for our children. Wanderwild isn’t just great products, but it’s a community of families that learn and teach through the lens that, “Experiences are Everything.”

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve had a lifelong love of design, color and function. From the time I painted my middle school bedroom turquoise (Thanks, Mom!), to my shabby chic dorm room, to building and designing our current home, I’ve always been particular when it comes to each of these attributes. I think that’s what sets Wanderwild gear apart from our competition. Our backpacks and lunchboxes are built with fabrics and materials to withstand even the toughest kiddos, and look brand new in the process. Our patterns and colors are designed with both parents and kids in mind, and will grow with the seasons and trends. We have learned a lot about what works in the process, to dial in products that our Wanderwild community loves!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Without a doubt to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado! We love our home state and show it off in much of our marketing materials proudly. We’d take you skiing at Beaver Creek Resort, complete with hot cocoa on the mountain, lunch at Blue Moose Pizza and finish off the day with fresh baked chocolate chip cookies served after your last run of the day. We’d warm up by the fire and enjoy some ice skating in Beaver Creek village and dinner at the Beaver Creek Chophouse. We love Colorado and welcome friends and family near and far that visit year round.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My business partner and co-founder of Wanderwild, Kelly, deserves huge credit when it comes to the success of Wanderwild. We are constantly challenging and pushing one another to do better in business, in motherhood and in life. We dreamed up this business in the early states of motherhood when our children were 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 – which seems like an impossible venture, but it was our children that inspired us to create products that allowed our families to adventure successful early on. Kelly’s acute business acumen, unsurmountable dedication, and big dreams allowed our business to succeed on an exciting level, and for that I am infinitely grateful .

Website: www.wanderwild.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/wanderwildco

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wanderwildco