Bo Shepherd, a talented designer and co-founder of Woodward Throwbacks, has always had a passion for cars. She studied transportation design at Detroit’s College for Creative Studies and went on to work at General Motors, where she designed car interiors for the Chevy product line. Despite her success at GM, Shepherd felt constrained by the corporate environment and yearned for more creative freedom.
During her time at GM, Shepherd began exploring salvage with her partner, Kyle Dubay. They spent their free time scavenging Detroit’s streets for reusable furniture and materials, which eventually led to the idea for Woodward Throwbacks. Leaving GM behind, Shepherd and Dubay co-founded the design and reclamation business, starting small but quickly expanding.
Woodward Throwbacks grew to include a 24,000-square-foot warehouse where they created a line of home goods from reclaimed materials sourced from Detroit homes. Their work not only promoted sustainability but also breathed new life into discarded materials. In addition to their product line, Shepherd and Dubay ventured into renovating properties and offering interior design services. They even published a book titled Throwbacks Home Interiors, showcasing their beautifully designed homes with reclaimed materials and unique antiques.
Bo Shepherd’s journey from automotive design to entrepreneurship with Woodward Throwbacks is a testament to her evolving creative spirit and dedication to sustainability. Tune in to the latest episode of Second Life to hear more about Shepherd’s inspiring career change and how she continues to thrive in her new role.