Who Is Little Love Bug Company?

Wanna know a secret?

Okay fine, it’s not really a secret — I learned how to start and run Little Love Bug from podcasts. Yep, every bit of it. I call it my degree from the University of Podcasts.

Before that, I was in marketing and sales (I sold coffee — basically liquid gold). And I’ve got a Bachelor’s in Sociology because I always thought I’d work with kids.

Turns out, I just ended up making shoes for them instead.

So, to keep with the theme, here’s my own little podcast — the honest, unfiltered version of how this all began, what I’ve learned along the way, and some thoughts on life, motherhood, and chasing big dreams (even when you’re running on caffeine and chaos).

At Little Love Bug Company, we believe childhood should begin barefoot whenever possible.

That simple belief has shaped everything we've done since the day the company was founded.

Our journey started with a chance conversation in a shoe store. We overheard someone talking about wide toe boxes and how traditional children's shoes can interfere with natural foot development. It sparked a question that changed everything:

Why are we squeezing growing feet into shoes that don't match the shape of the foot?

The more we researched, the more we realized that many conventional children's shoes are built around fashion—not healthy development. Narrow toe boxes, elevated heels, stiff soles, and excessive arch support can limit the way little feet are designed to move and grow.

We knew there had to be a better way.

So we created Little Love Bug Company.

Our shoes are designed to support natural foot development with features that matter:

• Wide toe boxes that allow little toes to spread naturally.
• Zero-drop soles that promote healthy posture and alignment.
• Flexible soles that move with growing feet instead of restricting them.
• Lightweight, comfortable designs kids actually love to wear.
• Premium materials that are made for everyday adventures.

But this isn't just about making shoes.

It's about helping parents make informed decisions.

For decades, we've been taught that more support is always better. Today, research into natural foot function is encouraging many parents to ask new questions about how footwear affects growing children. We believe parents deserve access to that information so they can make the choice that's right for their family.

Every pair of Little Love Bug shoes represents our commitment to healthier feet, happier kids, and giving children the freedom to move the way nature intended.

We're incredibly grateful to the thousands of families who have trusted us with their little ones' first steps, first playground adventures, first day of school, and everything in between.

Thank you for being part of our journey.

Together, we're helping raise a generation with stronger, healthier feet—one little step at a time.

Raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I’m a sleep-deprived single mom in Portland, Oregon who basically lives in yoga pants and still dreams of a full night’s sleep. I love coffee (because caffeine is survival), my friends (because life is hard and laughter helps), a good workout (turns out doctors were right about endorphins), and my family — they’re my foundation and my why.

After years in corporate sales, I traded deadlines and quotas for what might be the hardest (and most rewarding) job of all — staying home to raise my two daughters. They’re my inspiration and the namesakes behind Little Love Bug Company. I call them my “Little Love Bugs,” and this business grew out of a simple desire to create something meaningful while still being fully present for them.

Little Love Bug started as a creative outlet — something that gave my brain a space to play outside the world of unicorns, endless laundry, and “toot” jokes. But it quickly turned into something bigger: a mission to create shoes that honor how kids are meant to move and grow.

Why Barefoot-Inspired Shoes?

I’ve always loved baby moccasins — not just because they’re adorable, but because they’re better for developing feet. Traditional, rigid baby shoes may look cute (tiny running shoes? Yes, please!) but they can actually interfere with natural foot development.

Did you know there are 26 bones in each little foot? Those bones, muscles, and ligaments are still forming well into early childhood — and they do it best when allowed to move freely. The American Board of Pediatrics recommends flexible, soft-soled shoes once children begin walking to protect against rough surfaces and temperature changes, while still letting their feet move naturally.

So I bought moccasins for my girls, thinking I’d found the perfect balance. But I quickly discovered the downside — most standard moccs had slick soles and thin leather bottoms that wore out too fast. My kids were slipping, ripping holes, and outgrowing pairs faster than I could replace them.

That’s when I decided to create a better option — a soft, flexible, durable shoe that could keep up with real kids, real play, and real life.

How It All Began

In 2017, while my dad was battling two forms of cancer, I needed something to pour my heart into — something healing and creative. I channeled my energy into learning how to design, source, and produce baby shoes that looked beautiful, felt natural, and truly supported healthy development.

It was scary. I was anxious. But I believed in the idea, and in September 2017, Little Love Bug officially launched online.

Within six months, over 2,000 pairs of my leather moccasins had been purchased, worn, and loved by little feet all over the world. Word spread quickly about my “aesthetically pleasing barefoot shoes” — shoes with purpose and heart.

What Little Love Bug Stands For

This company has never just been about shoes. It’s about motherhood — the messy, beautiful, resilient kind. It’s about community, creativity, and giving moms the freedom to build something meaningful from home while raising their own little love bugs.

I’m now proud to work with a small, dedicated team of artisans and partners around the world — in the U.S., UK, Spain, South Africa, and China — to ensure the highest quality craftsmanship at a price that’s still accessible for families. My shoemakers in China are a small group of skilled artisans I trust deeply and have built lasting relationships with. Their attention to detail and care make every pair possible.

From My Family to Yours

I hope you and your little bug love these shoes as much as we have.

Each pair represents thousands of first steps, countless adventures, and a community of moms and families who believe — like I do — that the best things in life are built with love, purpose, and heart.

With gratitude,

Leslie Morrison

Mom & Founder

Little Love Bug Company®