Thank you, Blowfish Designs Co, for sponsoring this post, part of the 2017 Shop Small Spring series. I was selected for this opportunity by Blowfish Designs Co; the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
How cute is this hat? I have been looking for something high and low to help with Ollie's blonde bald head this summer and could not wait to share with you this adorable design by Blowfish Designs Company. Blowfish Designs started in Aspen, CO in the Fall 2011. Owners, Chris and Erin, had a very active lifestyle and there was a need for a hat that they could take on adventures and that was unique to each of member of their family. For us, we wanted to make sure the Ollie's head is safe from sun and helped blocked his eyes from the bright sunlight this summer. We spend quite a bit of time out and about as a family, and wanted to make sure that Ollie was protected.
Their hats are so great and uniquely designed. I honestly think every kid should have one. They have a flexy fit so little ones will like the feel of the cap on his/her head and adjustable back to secure it on as they rally around. Their hats have been worn on the heads of adventurers, skiers, surfers, climbers, artists, and other vagabonds throughout the world. Their infant/toddler sizes fit from 6 months to 2 1/2 years; however, Blowfish Designs Co makes hats for all ages, children and adults included.
How cute would these hats look in a summertime-themed Easter basket or for a spring/summer birthday! I am so excited that Ollie will not lack in style (because that is truly important to all 9 month year olds!)!! Check out their Etsy shop today to order each of your family members one today! Also, something extra special -- use the coupon code "Springhatlove10" for 10% off your entire order!!
Here is a little bit more about Erin, the owner of Blowfish Designs Co:
How did you get your shop started?
We started the online shop in 2013, a couple of years after starting the business. We began to ramp up our inventory and found help through some stay-at-home moms in L.A. to help us sew so we felt more ready to get our hats out there beyond just custom orders. Etsy has been a great outlet for us to meet new customers and share in an online community of makers. It is continuing to evolve as we figure in more ways to show off the diversity of our products.
What is the hardest part of owning a shop?
Their are a lot of challenges in owning your own business (and a lot of perks!) so I would say it has been a journey. There are days where you wonder if you can keep doing it because of just the time and cost or just the overwhelm of it all. Then there are days that I feel we are moving forward and have a tool to express ourselves through our business and that is so rewarding! The hardest part on the top of my head is taking time away from work and not spinning out on it. There are many nights I stay up way too late sewing hats, finishing orders, and concocting new ideas for the business. It is hard to escape work when your business is out of your from home. A good challenge is to take time off and go to the woods with no internet service to re charge from it all. Creating boundaries between all of the ideas you have, what needs to be done in the moment, and taking time away is a complicated dance.
What is one thing unique about you?
I think a lot about how to make our hats have personality and how they can connect people and connect us to nature. This is important to me in this day and age. I want people to feel like they are supporting small business and find value in this as well as wear something that makes them feel happy. If our hats get out in nature and allow people to adventure, then I am doing something right. Something else unique is that I am always thinking of new projects of what to do with our scrap fabrics (off cuts from our hats). If I had more time I would create a whole shop with all these fun side products. It makes me happy to be resourceful and make new things that add color and creativity to people's lives.
What is the best part of owning a shop?
I love seeing where the hats go when we ship them to places all over the country and seeing people post pictures of themselves, or their kids, wearing them on adventures and having fun! With our customized hats, it is great to create something that is individual to each persons style. I love product design, buying fabrics, and working with artists or people in our community to build fun caps.
How did you get your shop name?
My husband and our old business partner chose the name Blowfish Designs. It sort of organically came upon us. In retrospect though, it is very aligned to what we do. Blowfish's camoflauge themselves in the ocean and can change colors and shapes like an underwater chameleon. Our hats are used in nature and each one is a bit different then the next and can reflect each person's personality or mood.
What is one way that you keep organized?
I am getting better at this! We have a dry erase board in our office where we keep tasks and orders listed and meet weekly about this. I tend to get my best ideas at night so I try to make my to do lists then so that I know what I am doing when I wake up in the morning. When I sit down to fulfill orders, I cut all the fabric and prep the hats and shipping labels all at once so that the production moves faster. We have started organizing our manufacturing with our ladies in a way that keeps our inventory flowing. As we grow we are figuring out how to better sell our hats so that they are easier to buy online. This has been a step by step process of re thinking how we do things.
How do you balance family life and work life?
This is the biggest challenge I didn't for see before I had a child. It is important to me to have intentional time with my son and husband where I am not distracted by the tasks that need to be done for the business. I really have to set my work aside and my husband and I have to really be intentional about having time where we don't talk about work and I have to leave my phone behind so that I can be fully playful with my son. With an online shop, people contact you all times of the week and day and expect quick replies which makes it hard to ignore. The best way I balance it is creating date nights with my husband (even if it means no work or internet/movie time after our son is in bed) and also time everyday playing with my son and not trying to get stuff done. Childcare has also been a huge game changer this last year and I am so thankful that we are finally reaching out for help! Also, letting go of the need for everything to be "perfect" or done. My office is not always clean, dinner is not always made by 7 p.m. and the laundry is sometimes just gonna stack up. Letting go and finding time to slow down and meditate, dance, do yoga are ways where I can let go of that control a bit.
