Xero Shoes was founded by Steven Sashen and Lena Phoenix, a married couple who started the company in 2009.

[5][6] Initially based out of their home office, in late 2012, Sashen and Phoenix moved the company to a building on Conestoga Court in Boulder, Colorado.

They also hired Dennis Driscoll, who has previously worked for Avia, Crocs, Dr. Martens, and Wilson Sporting Goods, as chief product officer.

On an episode that aired on February 1, 2013,[2] Sashen and Phoenix appeared before investors on the ABC business reality show, but rejected an offer of $400,000 for 50% of the company from Kevin O'Leary.

[3] In April 2023, McDougall and Eric Orton announced the release of a new line for Xero Shoes named Born to Run.