Jax Hats was born 3 years ago after many labor pains and wrong paths followed to create a sustainable business venture that allowed me both creativity and cash flow. It began after receiving a pair of upcycled mittens made from felted wool sweaters that my sister in law gave me for Christmas. The wheels started turning and I thought why not hats? I was taking a load of clothing to Goodwill and rescued a particularly beautiful sweater from the heap, and the first Jax Hat was born using a pattern that I had used when I was in High School many years ago. I gave it to my daughter, and when her friends started gushing over it, I made more, and the story continues.
After the hats started to gain popularity by selling at local craft shows and the People’s Market, I realized that I couldn’t keep up with the demand. My husband had recently been laid off and finding himself bored, so I put him to work cutting the sweaters for me. After a few weeks of this, I took it to the next step and taught him the basics of sewing. Now he designs many of the hats himself, and has become quite adept and marketing them at the shows.
My daughter Bethany recently graduated from the U of M with a Business/ Marketing degree, so she has recently become the Marketing Manager for Jax Hats and we are currently located in 8 stores in Missoula and 4 in other areas including Carmel, Indiana. She has redesigned my website for visual appeal as well as ease, and has plans to move us across the globe!
My other daughter, Adrienne is my main model, as well as party planner for the house parties that we do, and has recently started with the sewing production as well.
I do this business, because it has become an addiction, seeing the old clothing transformed into something fun and functional. Working at the markets has become such an ego boost to hear people exclaim how they LOVE my hats! I love the upcycling aspect, and am constantly thinking outside the box to see what else I can use. All of my buttons are handmade by me from polymer clay and that along with the distinctive JAX.
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