One of the greatest joys of what I do is meeting incredible women whose passion and purpose inspire those around them. This November, I have the privilege of collaborating with Heather for a very special event, and I truly cannot wait. I know it is going to be filled with creativity, laughter, friendship, and the opportunity to celebrate women supporting women. Before that event arrives, I wanted everyone to get to know the amazing woman behind the beautiful handcrafted hats that have become her signature.
In February of 2023, Heather invited a small group of women who were business owners and community leaders to attend a mock hat party. At the end of the evening, she asked them for honest feedback. Their excitement and encouragement confirmed what she had hoped. They loved her vision of bringing women together while helping them express their individuality through custom hat designs. That support gave her the confidence to move forward.
For Heather, a hat is never just an accessory. She believes it should become an extension of the woman wearing it. Whether someone wants to feel elegant, confident, bold, playful, or simply a little sassier, every hat tells a story. Some women wear a hat to step into a new version of themselves, while others wear one to celebrate exactly who they already are. Every creation is deeply personal because no two women are the same.
Her business reached a turning point when she was invited to be the VIP vendor at a local ProRodeo. The opportunity left her emotional, and the response from customers exceeded every expectation. She could not make hats fast enough and was still completing custom orders weeks after the rodeo ended. The overwhelming demand eventually led to one of the biggest decisions of her life. Heather left her traditional full time job to pursue her dream full time, and she has never looked
back.
Like many entrepreneurs, the creative side came naturally, but the business side was a learning experience. Licenses, taxes, inventory, and administration were all unfamiliar territory. Heather openly shares that she still learns something new every day, and managing the business side remains one of her greatest challenges. Living with ADHD has made organization more difficult, but her determination and passion have carried her through every obstacle.
Heather has also learned that not everyone celebrates another person's success. While that has been difficult, she has discovered something even more valuable. She has found an incredible network of women entrepreneurs who encourage one another, protect each other, and celebrate each other's victories. Those friendships have become just as meaningful as the business itself.
Every hat Heather creates is entirely unique. Customers choose colors, ribbons, feathers, charms, and embellishments that speak to them, while Heather uses her artistic vision to bring everything together. She has never created two identical hats because she believes every piece should reflect the personality of its owner. Most of the design process relies on trust as she carefully interprets each customer's style into something they will treasure.
The greatest reward for Heather is not simply completing another custom order. It is watching the emotional reactions when women see themselves in the mirror wearing their finished hats. Some cry tears of joy. Others say they have never felt so beautiful or confident. Many of her customers have become lifelong friends, including her assistant and even her best friend, who first met Heather while having a custom hat created. Those relationships remind her that she is creating much more than fashion.
While the excitement of large rodeos remains one of her favorite experiences, Heather also treasures intimate bridal shower hat parties where laughter fills the room and every guest leaves with a one of a kind creation. The hardest part of her work is the physical demand. As a one woman business, every event requires hours of planning, loading, transporting, and setting up before the creativity even begins.
Among the hundreds of hats she has created, a few remain especially close to her heart. One was designed for a young nonverbal girl with special needs who loves the color lime green. Every feather, flower, and detail was chosen to celebrate the joy and innocence that child brings to the world. Another honored a courageous young woman living with epilepsy and other physical challenges, featuring a charm that simply read, "I Choose Strength." Heather also created a Veterans Day tribute hat for a retired Senior Master Sergeant as a symbol of gratitude for a lifetime of service, sacrifice, and courage. These hats remind her that sometimes art becomes something far more meaningful than fashion. It becomes hope, encouragement, and love.
Balancing business with family has not always been easy. Heather's husband is courageously battling brain cancer, and finding time for both her family and her growing business continues to be one of life's greatest challenges. She describes her business as a place where she can breathe, create, and rediscover herself, while also expressing deep gratitude for two remarkable friends who continually remind her to make time for sisterhood and self care. Their love and encouragement have carried her through some of life's hardest moments.
Giving back is woven into everything Heather does. She advocates for Foster Champs of Washington, supporting children who have experienced severe abuse and neglect, and she also proudly supports The Family Ranch horse rescue. She regularly donates hats to local fundraisers, including Future Farmers of America auctions and church mission trips because she believes in investing in the communities that have embraced her business.
When asked what advice she would give someone starting a business, Heather encourages them to dream boldly while creating a clear vision. Write down your goals, build a vision board, and imagine where you want to be one year from now and three years from now. Most importantly, keep those goals realistic and continue moving forward one step at a time.
Perhaps what Heather is most proud of is discovering confidence she never believed she possessed. She describes herself as someone who once lacked self confidence and often lived in fear. Today she travels across state lines for events, continues to challenge herself, and embraces opportunities even when they feel intimidating. Her message is beautifully simple. Do it afraid. Keep going anyway.
Looking ahead, Heather has big dreams. She is transforming an enclosed trailer into a mobile boutique that will allow her to travel to larger events, country concerts, festivals, and rodeos while expanding her inventory and reaching even more communities. She is also writing a book about resilience, overcoming PTSD, becoming brave, and choosing kindness through every season of life.
As I prepare for our collaboration this November, I could not be more excited. Heather's creativity is extraordinary, but it is her heart that truly stands out. She is building more than beautiful hats. She is building confidence, celebrating individuality, creating lifelong friendships, and reminding women that they are beautiful exactly as they are. I cannot wait for everyone to experience her artistry and her incredible spirit. I have a feeling this November will be the beginning of a wonderful friendship and an unforgettable event.
*Images and photo credit to Heather*
