The focus of the Starting Small series is to introduce you to some amazing individuals who have built their own businesses from scratch. They are full of passion, life, and love. Once a month, we feature a new business owner, and pick their brain regarding how they started their business, advice for those who have/wish to have a business themselves, how they making time for themselves, and most importantly, which they love most about being a small business owner. I hope these individuals will inspire you, motivate you, and fill your heart with as much love as they’ve filled mine!
1. We cannot get enough of our littles in your amazing GeorgeHats!! When did you first decide you wanted to start designing head wear? Tell us the story!
George Hats was inspired by my son George and his love to be outdoors and free! We live in San Diego where the sun is always shining!
After unsuccessfully searching for cool but also functional hats to keep him protected, I knew this was my next journey!
Each hat is handmade with love and care! Every element is sourced locally and always from the USA. The brims of my hats are made of a special material offering 50+ UPF protection on top of the fabrics themselves.
Since my launch last Fall 2014, I have worked hard to perfect the fit, offer quality fabrics and truly a product that will last!
1.) Don’t undersell yourself! I work every day of the week on my little business and barely include my time into the equasion! But these are the risks & rewards of starting your own business!
2.) I think I went out running! What’s the saying, “walk before you run!!!!” That’s my personality though, I get so excited most of the time and just go for it which can work in your favor or not!
3.) Balance! This is an ongoing struggle, but trying to find balance between work and home. If you can establish some boundaries before this will carry throughout everything you do!
4. What inspires you daily?? How do these inspirations translate through your products?
My son George of course is my constant inspiration and all his wonderful little friends. My mind is always thinking and dreaming of the next new thing and how to make improvements as I see my hats in true action!
5. Describe a typical day in your life! How do you incorporate your family + business + personal time into your day?
Gosh! Well I’m usually up at 5am with my little bundle of energy! We have our morning routine & get ready for the day. He is just starting to play a bit more on his own so I can hop on my email, social media etc and figure out priorities for the day!
I am so greateful to have my mom close by, she helps me a few times a week so I can stay on top of my work!
My husband also works from home so we try to all have meals together! It’s not always an easy balance, there’s little time left over for me! We just found out baby #2 is on the way so we could not be more excited! This will bring on a whole new set of challenges but baby steps!
6. What has been the most rewarding experience since beginning your small business journey? What has been the most challenging?
One of the best parts of this whole process has been getting to know my little customers and the amazing moms behind them! It truly shows you how important our shop small community is offering constant support, love and encouragement! I’m so grateful to be at home with my little man and to be doing what I love!
7. The patterned fabrics you choose for your hats have us swooning! What is your decision process like for choosing materials to work with?
Awe thank you! I come from a family of artists and do a lot of fine art myself. My father has been in the surf & clothing industry for more than 20 years so I think all of this comes into play. The very first hat I released, the “Water Blue” sun hat is actually from my brothers art work! I hope to start designing my own fabrics soon!
I have learned a lot this first year about fabrications and what works best and most importantly offers the highest sun protection for our little ones! George tests them all out for me!
8. Describe your business in three words:
FUN . COOL . INNOVATE
