About Us
Welcome to Groundwork!
We are thrilled to have you here! We want to be a part of your journey into the world of barefoot and natural footwear!
Whether you're an adventurer seeking lightweight and flexible footwear for the outdoors or looking to keep style in the forefront while caring for your feet, we've got you covered.
We're committed to providing you with an exceptional shopping experience and exceptional customer service. We are in the Sacramento, CA area and are available for local pickup and events!
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out us at hello@shopgroundwork.com!
Meet the team!
Hello, I’m Lauren Hess, co-founder of Groundwork.
I’m a musician turned yoga teacher and wellness enthusiast! After years of touring and performing, I was depleted, both physically and mentally. I started a journey to healing- incorporating herbal medicine, nutrition and yoga into my daily life.
Taking care of my body also meant paying attention to my feet! Drawing upon my yoga training, I dedicated myself to strengthening and exploring the mobility of my feet. This eventually led me to discover the world of barefoot shoes. I’ve been almost exclusively in barefoot or minimalist shoes for the last 4 years and am obsessed!
I created Groundwork as a way to share this enthusiasm. Groundwork allows me to combine my extensive background in retail, love for inspired movement, and a passion for helping people. It’s not just about selling shoes - it’s about transforming the way you connect with your body and empowering your strength!
Hello, I’m Miranda Clements, co-founder of Groundwork!
I am a barefoot-enthusiast, wife, mom of 3, and artist. I started my career as an orthotic clinician, which means, yes, I used to make and fit various types of orthotics for people. After reading Born to Run and learning that the Tarahumara tribe runs ultramarathon distances in huaraches, I had a major gear change.
I switched to barefoot shoes 8 years ago and have not looked back! I use my passion for foot health working with the Healthy Feet Alliance to spread awareness about natural solutions to the prolific foot issues of our day. My favorite is talking with people who have never considered barefoot shoes and watching the lightbulb go on. A healthier footwear option exists!
Now, I’m excited to make natural footwear accessible on a local level through Groundwork! It is my dream come true to help facilitate not only a change in shoes, but a change in lifestyle!
Our Story
How we came together is one of those modern magic stories that must be told. In the spring of 2023, shortly after Lauren created the Groundwork Instagram page, she “followed” the Healthy Feet Alliance page.
Miranda noticed a Shop Groundwork pop up and assumed this was a friend on the East coast who had wanted to start a shop with a similar name. She had previously been chatting with this friend about her shared dream of opening a shop in Sacramento.
So, Miranda reached out and congratulated her friend on the success of her new shop, only to realize it wasn’t at all who she assumed it was! Lauren responded and mentioned she was based out of Sacramento. Miranda could not believe her luck! What are the chances two aspiring barefoot shop owners would be in the same place at the same time?
We met up for coffee and decided at that first meeting that we wanted to work together in bringing barefoot shoes to the people of Sacramento!