Haden Riddick was born in the early ‘70s in Virginia, back when bell-bottoms were a thing (the first time around). Growing up in Richmond, he attended the same high school as both of his parents—an experience that likely came with a fair share of "Hey, aren’t you so-and-so’s kid?" Like his father before him, Haden played high school football, earning the nickname "Riddick," which stuck like a well-worn pair of sneakers.
But sports weren’t his only passion. Creativity ran deep in the Riddick bloodline. Raised by a family of artists, Haden spent his childhood sketching, drawing, and designing under the guidance of his late father, Don Riddick, and his grandfather, George P. Riddick, Jr. So naturally, he grew up to sell… software?
Yes, before entering the world of luxury footwear, Riddick spent over 20 years in corporate leadership, mostly in software sales. But something was missing—an itch that no amount of sales meetings or spreadsheets could scratch. His creative side needed an outlet, so he started designing custom shoes for himself, purely for fun. And that’s when things took a turn.
People began noticing his designs, and before he knew it, they weren’t just asking where he got his shoes—they were asking how they could get a pair. What started as a personal creative hobby turned into a calling. In 2021, Riddick took the leap, ditched the corporate world, and launched the Riddick brand.
But he didn’t just want to create a luxury brand; he wanted to build something with purpose. Instead of waiting for "someday" to give back, Riddick Shoes was founded on generosity from day one—donating a portion of every sale to charities and causes that support humanity. Because, let’s be honest, the world could use more kindness…and better-looking shoes.
And that’s how a corporate guy turned accidental entrepreneur ended up designing high-end footwear—one stylish step at a time.