Xena Workwear is a Milwaukee-based women's workwear company specialized in stylish women's steel toe shoes and apparel.[1][2] The company creates fashionable personal protective equipment (PPE) for women.[3][4]

Xena Workwear
Company typePrivate
IndustryFootwear / Apparel
Founded2019
FounderAnastasia Kraft
HeadquartersMilwaukee, Wisconsin
ProductsWomen's Steel Toe Shoes
Websitexenaworkwear.com

History

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In 2017, the founder of Xena Workwear, Anastasia (Ana) Kraft, came upon the idea to start a women's workwear company while working as a project manager in the manufacturing industry.[5] In 2019, Xena Workwear was accepted into the accelerator program gBETA run by Madison-based gener8tor.[6] In May 2019, the company launched its first ASTM-certified product, the Gravity steel-toe safety shoe. Shortly afterwards, Xena Workwear closed a $750,000 seed round led by Chicago-based Starting Line.[6]

Description

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The Gravity low-cut boots

Xena Workwear develops shoes for women working in non-traditional industries.[7] The company uses Leather Working Group (LWG) certified leather in their products.[1]

Partnerships & Endorsements

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Xena Workwear is an official partner and sponsor of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)[8] and Women in Manufacturing (WIM).

The company also partners with organizations which further the mission of inspiring more women to explore careers in STEM and trades:[9]

  • Reinvented Magazine - an organization focused on reinventing the general perception of women in STEM fields
  • Beauty and the Bolt - an organization teaching that engineering and femininity are not mutually exclusive
  • Her STEM Story - an organization sharing stories of female STEM professionals from around the world

In 2019, the company was endorsed by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) FY20 President.[10]

Xena Workwear is featured in the following publications, among others:

The company was listed as a top 20 Wisconsin startup to watch in 2020 by Wisconsin Inno.[15][16]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Female Engineer Launches Fashionable Steel-Toed Footwear Company". Urban Milwaukee. May 10, 2019.
  2. ^ "This Milwaukee Startup Is Making an Industrial Work Boot Women Actually Want to Wear". Wisconsin Inno. May 22, 2019.
  3. ^ "Protective Footwear with a Fashion Sense by Xena Workwear". PCIAW. August 8, 2019.
  4. ^ "8: How Stylish Steel-Toe Shoes are Empowering Women in Industry | An Interview with Xena Workwear CEO Ana Kraft - Manufacturing Happy Hour". Manufacturing Happy Hour. December 9, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
  5. ^ "How Frustration Led This Entrepreneur to Start a Workwear Company for Women in STEM". StartupNation. March 11, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Milwaukee startup Xena Workwear completes $750,000 seed round". BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News. August 22, 2019.
  7. ^ "Xena Workwear designs footwear with a mission". Think-Make-Happen In Wisconsin. January 16, 2020.
  8. ^ "Introducing NEW Partner, Xena Workwear!" (PDF). The Connection. January 28, 2020.
  9. ^ "Xena Partners". Xena Workwear. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  10. ^ "These Boots Are Made for WORKING". Society of Women Engineers - All Together. December 5, 2019.
  11. ^ "Firmer Footing for Women in Manufacturing". MetalForming Magazine. January 29, 2020.
  12. ^ Quito, Anne (February 28, 2020). "An engineer has finally figured out how to design stylish safety boots for women". Quartz. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  13. ^ "Chemistry spotted on more belt buckles and model trains, and fashion-forward work boots". Chemical & Engineering News. April 5, 2020.
  14. ^ "Steel Times International - Vol.44 No4". Steel Times International. May 19, 2020. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  15. ^ "20 Wisconsin Startups to Watch in 2020". Wisconsin Inno. December 16, 2019.
  16. ^ "Workwear Digest". workweardigest.com. December 22, 2021.
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