Meet Stephanie Blain, The Genius Behind WholeHearted Shoes!
As a Scottsdale branding photographer, I find it incredibly inspiring to work with business owners who lead with heart. Stephanie Blain, founder of WholeHearted Shoes, recently had her brand photos taken for Scottsdale City Life, and from the moment we met, her passion and purpose were unmistakable. WholeHearted isn’t just a luxury vegan shoe brand—it’s a mission, a message, and a movement. From using pineapple leather to envisioning a future workplace where women can thrive personally and professionally, Stephanie is building something bold and beautiful from the ground up.
My Chat With Stephanie Blain Of WholeHearted Shoes After Our Branding Photos
We caught up with her to hear more about her journey, her dreams, and why being kind to yourself might just be the best business advice out there.
How long have you been in business?
I’ve been in business with WholeHearted Shoes for two years.
How did you get started with this business? What was the inspiration behind starting it?
I’m vegan, so I don’t eat meat, and I definitely don’t want to wear it. I love shoes, but I couldn’t find any that aligned with my values. That’s when I set out to create a luxury lifestyle shoe made with purpose and integrity. No animal products, just thoughtful, intentional design. My biggest inspiration? My kids. I want to show them how to go after their dreams with heart and hustle.
What products do you offer?
WholeHearted Shoes offers The Nean. This is a luxury vegan lifestyle shoe made from pineapple “leather,” recycled rubber, and cotton.
Where can customers find your products? Are you in local stores, chains, or online only?
WholeHearted Shoes is currently only online on our website.
Do you have any expansion plans?
Yes! We’re planning to release more colorways of The Nean and hopefully launch another style soon, too.
How do you balance work and life?
Honestly… I’m not sure I do! Sometimes, the business is all-consuming, and life feels a little out of sync. But instead of beating myself up, I now focus on building myself up. The kind of balance I aim for is internal balance. Staying grounded in myself, no matter what.
What were the biggest challenges you faced when starting out?
Financing. Even today, getting funding as a woman is still incredibly difficult—and that’s been one of the biggest hurdles for WholeHearted Shoes.
How do you differentiate your business from your competitors?
Most luxury lifestyle shoes either use animal products or, if they don’t, they lack style. At WholeHearted Brand, we merged fashion and values. No animal product, all the style.
What is the most challenging part about owning your own business?
The logistics. With WholeHearted Shoes, there are so many moving parts—materials, manufacturers, suppliers, and they all have to align perfectly just to make a single pair.
What advice would you give to someone just starting their business?
Go into it knowing you’re going to be kind and gentle with yourself. That critical voice in your head? It just wants to keep you “safe.” But you’ve got to show up anyway—through the fear, through the doubts, and lead with kindness. Let that be your guide.
How do you market your business?
We use a lot of social media and networking to spread the word.
To touch on branding photography, how have your branding photos helped your business? Would you recommend them to other business owners?
OMG—yes! Branding photos are amazing. They’ve made our social media stronger, helped our marketing materials stand out, and have become essential networking tools. I absolutely recommend them.
Is there anything else you’d like potential clients to know about your business?
Yes, WholeHearted is about more than shoes. It’s about stepping into your purpose. We dream of growing the brand and building a workplace where women don’t have to sacrifice family for a career. A place where they’re encouraged to go to every soccer game or piano recital, where promotions are possible, pay is great, and dreams are shared openly. And when the time is right, we’ll help them bring those dreams to life.
I Hope WholeHearted Shoes Helps Inspire You To Push Your Business Farther Forward, Like Stephanie
WholeHearted isn’t just about shoes—it’s about living with intention, designing with compassion, and building something that reflects your values from the ground up. Stephanie’s journey is a reminder that when you lead with heart, every step matters. Be sure to check out Whole Hearted Shoes to shop The Nean and follow along as Stephanie continues to merge style with purpose. And if you’re ready to tell your own brand story with visuals that feel as intentional and powerful as your mission, I’d love to help. As a Scottsdale branding photographer, I specialize in capturing the heart behind small businesses, just like I did for WholeHearted. Let’s create something beautiful together.
