It Started With Gloria

At 19 I graduated from high school and went to study photography at one of the best universities in Latvia, sharing an apartment in the capital with two childhood friends.

Everything seemed to be in place, but something was missing. The city and school were sucking the life out of me, and leaving was all I could do.

For a year I worked at my father's agriculture business, saving every bit of money until I could afford the camera gear I needed. Then I spent another year building my visual storytelling skills in every spare moment.

I got better with my camera, but I didn't want to work for someone else. I needed to find the direction I loved.

One night on Instagram I stumbled upon a White Swiss Shepherd and immediately fell in love. I had always wanted a dog, so it was the easiest decision I ever made.

On October 27th, 2016, 2½-month-old Gloria came home. She made me more disciplined, more confident and more loving. We hike about an hour a day, and she opened up my world in a way I never thought possible.

I started an Instagram for her, @gloria.swissy. In almost two years it grew from 0 to 34,000 followers, real people talking to us every day.

Brands began sending dog products to feature with my pearl-white model, and I got to test how different materials and designs hold up in all kinds of weather.

Those tests sparked the idea for my own brand: gear that lets me live my passion for the outdoors with my dog, and inspires other adventurous dog owners to do the same.

That is how Northwoofs came to life. Adventure gear for active dogs. Made to last, made with love.