From Law to Laces
An alum's story of pivoting, partnering, and designing a life with purpose
Dean Schwartz ’88 cofounded the award-winning firm Schwilliamz Creative Consultants Inc. in 2003 with his wife, Ann Williams. (Copyright Lisa Neighbors, courtesy of Dean Schwartz)
By Katherine Morrison
Dean Schwartz ’88 never imagined a career that would take him around the globe touring factories, designing footwear, and shaping strategies for clients ranging from emerging startups to global brands. Everything changed when he met his future wife, Ann Williams, then director of design and product for a leading children’s footwear company. Learning about her work opened his eyes and inspired them to cofound Schwilliamz Creative Consultants Inc. in 2003.
Now, the award-winning firm guides global clients through every stage of the footwear design and development process, helping shape strategy, anticipate trends, and spark innovation. With deep industry experience, the team also provides strategic insight and trusted advice to professionals in intellectual property and finance.
An unconventional career path
After graduating from Colby with a degree in American studies, Schwartz left Mayflower Hill for Manhattan to explore a diverse, multidisciplinary career that embraced his liberal arts roots. Initially, he worked in retail management, followed by several years at an advertising agency before deciding that law school was his next step.
Earning his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University, Schwartz practiced law before pivoting to nonprofit work. He held director roles in planned giving at the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Noble and Greenough School, sharpening his communication, research, and relationship-building skills to help define his professional path.
Along the way, he met Williams, who had followed a direct career path since setting her heart on footwear design at age 16. As Schwartz listened to Williams talk about her work, he began to realize that holding something tangible at the end of a project resonated with him. His eyes opened to a world he knew nothing about: product design, development, and storytelling through objects.
“That’s when the light went on,” Schwartz said. “I started taking art courses at Massachusetts College of Art [and Design] to familiarize myself with design and the design process,” said Schwartz, who regretted never setting foot inside an art studio on Mayflower Hill.
In 2003, the couple established their consulting and design firm, Schwilliamz, a combination of their surnames, leading them into a world of unique and creative opportunities. Along the way, they’ve achieved many milestones and industry recognitions for design, functionality, and innovation, most recently at the Global Footwear Awards for their work with Limitless Slides, a line of footwear featuring empowerment messages.
Designing shoes and stories
Schwilliamz was built on the idea of offering established and new brands all the services of an in-house design team, but with the agility of an outside consultant. In addition to their extensive experience and technical expertise, they are distinguished by how they tell stories through footwear.
In one project, they partnered with a beloved classic American toy company to create children’s shoes rooted in the brand’s rich history.
“We were able to really dig into their corporate archives,” said Schwartz. “To be able to take these iconic toys and apply them to footwear was really cool. It was a true liberal arts, American studies-type project, because I could talk about the brand’s larger cultural importance and the lasting impact and relevance of their product design, ultimately translating it all into footwear. Really fun.”
Today, Schwartz finds some of his most meaningful work in advising startups, often founded by people with powerful stories to tell. Schwilliamz played a key role in creating a line of shoes inspired by the journey of a breast cancer survivor, as well as another line based on affirmations from a former college athlete. In a different project, they collaborated with a client from the Middle East who wanted to modernize traditional footwear that had remained largely unchanged for generations.
“It’s very gratifying to translate someone’s pure creative vision and capture that into a real product,” he stated.
Adapting to change
As the footwear industry has evolved, so has Schwilliamz. The firm was an early adopter of remote collaboration with overseas clients and factories, long before the pandemic made it essential. Recent challenges, including shifting tariffs and trade uncertainties, have impacted the pace of development, but Schwartz said the firm’s diversified services will continue to keep it resilient.
A closer look at the colors and materials that bring footwear to life. (Courtesy of Schwilliamz)
Footwear lasts organized into bins. (Courtesy of Schwilliamz)
“Coming out of Covid, we sought to capitalize on our status as subject matter experts, developing and expanding beyond product design into consulting, strategic advising, and footwear intellectual property litigation expert witness work,” he said.
Schwartz uses his liberal arts perspective to think creatively and connect the dots. That mindset prepared him to adapt, especially during moments of industry disruption.
Full circle
With his older son in his first year of college, Schwartz can’t help but reflect on how transformative his college experience was. “It still feels like yesterday,” he said. “It was such a pivotal time in my life. The people I met at Colby continue to play a vital role in my life professionally and personally. Honestly, it’s a rare few days that I’m not in touch with Colby friends, both here in the States and overseas.”
Schwartz credits the critical thinking skills he acquired from a liberal arts education, which have served him well in work and beyond. “Being equipped to approach challenges creatively, with flexibility and versatility across disciplines, is invaluable. I’m indebted to Colby.”