Do you know that you have a bird on your head?

Has our company literally gone to the birds? Is it time to throw in the towel? These are questions that I am being faced with as I write this blog. I would love to say that I have all the answers but as Sue and I spent the day yesterday at water's edge at the beautiful Nonamtum Resort in Kennebunk Maine a few more questions began to flood my mental cavity.

A new lid is born! - "Green" Recycled Bucket Lid

Last week we were at a craft show in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. Sue and Woz took the first day and Cathie and I the second. For the first time in Little Hat history we had multiple request from men for adult bucket lids. Sue called and thought the we really needed to find some fabrics that would work for men, something not already out there. Since the inception of The Little Hat Company, Bill Page has been asking us to design him a comfortable hat that he can wear out in the yard working. He already has a Powderhouse Hill Kozy Kap and wanted something for the summer and spring.

Sue has also been wanting to introduce a green line of lids since last year. She was thinking organic fabric would be the best route. Well last night Bill Page pulled a rabbit out of his hat, well actually and old shirt out of his closet and our new line of "Green" Recycled Bucket Lids was born. When I got to their home with my sewing machine he was excited to share his idea. We cut out the pattern pieces for the outside of the lid from his old favorite button up shirt and began sewing together the first green lid - I was going to use a new piece of lining when Sue came up with the fabulous idea of using one of his favorite Timberland t'shirts that had seen better days. Perfect! The Recycled Bucket lid felt like a pair of favorite old sneakers - a perfect fit and soft to the touch. The cotton t'shirt lining is perfect for a hot day in keeping you cool and the sweat away from your brow. Bill Page was so excited we snapped some quick candids and posted them on our Little Hat...Big World blog!

We are excited to launch our new "Green" Recycled Line of Bucket Lids and ready to take on your one of a kind custom orders. We just need you to send us your button up shirts or favorite skirts, jeans, dresses, things that you are not ready to be rid of but have seen better days. Our new line of "Green" Recycled Lids are perfect for Father Day gifts, birthday gifts, family vacations. When your family members wear our Bucket Lids it makes them easy to spot in a crowd.

Send us your clothing and the size of the lids you would like to be made. Use the sizing chart under bucket lids at The Little Hat Company. All one of a kind creations are $24.95 shipping included.


The Little Hat Company
1 Meadow Lane
South Berwick, Maine 03908

207-384-0080
friendlyperson@thelittlehatcompany.com

We are looking forward to creating your one of a kind lid! Reach into the back of your closet and recycle your wardrobe into your new favorite golf lid, beach lid, saling lid, gardening lid, stroller lid, and keep the sun out of my eyes lid!

Who Said That?

Okay to set the record straight no matter what the other little hatters say I am not the only one in the company who is quick to give things away. One of my more "brilliant" campaigns to give first time buyers 50% off their first online orders "halfoffhat" has actually been a great thing to jumpstart our newly launched website TheLittleHatCompany.com. I took a lot of heat in good fun of course but it has proven to be effective. We've had a great percentage of customers reorder after they received their initial 50% online savings. (halfoffhat)

Since we let go of our bricks and mortar I have seen some sparks of giving coming from unpredictable places and it makes me very happy! Of course your aunt from down south should absolutely not pay for her hat! I would be embarrased. And when the moment tells you to give a hat to someone in need who normally wouldn't need a hat- DO IT!! We've been given so many huge gifts since we opened our doors it is so important that we always remember to pay it forward. The most common question I hear "Are we making money?"

I know better than anyone the definition of a cash flow statement and how when followed it is simple to make money. I also know that life is not always about the money and eventually with hard work and faith it will come back to you when you least expect it. For now we are so thankful for our daily orders and knowing that our hat business is still growing. It is growing because you are helping us spread the word. It is you who is remembering our name when someone talks about a baby shower they are going to and it is you who is willing to spend more than $8.00 on a beach hat for your child knowing that it was made in our country, perhaps even your state and town. (South Berwick, Maine)

Recently someone was so generous and took our hats and hand delivered them to Selma Hayek and her daughter. She watched as Selma tried them on her daughter and she was gracious enough to let us know that Selma said she "loved them". We've come so far in three years and through so many challenges but I know in my heart that The Little Hat Company is not finished and has a long path in front of it. I know that we have the most amazing group of people and talent (Hanna Bulger, Good Girl Graphics) working with all of us little hatters that no matter what the outcome we have already succeeded in business. We are doing what we love, with people we love, and producing an amazing line of sun hats and winter hats in the United States of America!

So...if anyone you know is looking for a hat for any age or season please let them know about our Company and that you have a secret for them. Order your first hat online and receive 50% off when you use the online coupon code "halfoffhat". We are so thankful for all of your thoughts and help and literally say thank you for each order we receive.

I came home to this email tonight -"We say it out loud...believe that it will happen...get excited about it...and voila! I LOVE LITTLE HAT!!!

Did I mention that I'm STILL IN? "

How could I ever want to work someplace else! To my most favorite peeps thank you for sharing the same dream with me...one day it will pay off and I will be there to present the BIG HUGE OVERSIZED check to you! NO laughing or crying and absolutely no touching me!! You all deserve to have the Big World at your feet and I hope to help get it there for you.

XOXOX

There's always one in the crowd - pictures recovered from NYC

Linda just dropped off some pictures from last October and Cathie scanned them late last night. We had such a great time with Off The Wall Promotions and meeting the crew of The Today Show. It was good to unwind a bit from the everyday craziness of growing a small business into a national brand.

Linda, Jen, Sue, Deb, and Cathie (order of appearance in picture)

Okay so there is a lot more to the story and yes we are in a famous bar, Channel 4, and we laughed and laughed and laughed mostly about nothing but this is a family site and Goonies never Tell.

Our favorite New York City experience - meeting Dara Brown, anchor MSNBC.com

Usually it is the unexpected moments in life that are truly the most fun and interesting. We had just left the Today Show and were very excited that we had been able to go back stage and get a tour of the control room-We even got to meet Joe Michaels again. After shopping for the kids in their gift shop we were headed back to the hotel when someone came up from behind us and asked us where we had gotten our hats. Even though it was October the wind had already turned cold.

The woman said she loved our lids and wanted to know where she could get one. It was Dara Brown, anchor of MSNBC.com. We told her our "story" and gave her my hat. We had already given out all our extras back at the Today Show. She thanked us and said she had to catch her train. She was incredible kind and gracious. She is in the middle with the pink and brown checked lid.

New York is such an incredible city. Anything at anytime can happen if you let it and are open to good experiences.

The Little Hat Company loves the Miranda Collection!

So gone are the days of making sure the toy store is covered and all the shifts are full and hello to the craft show circuit - Thank you Cathie McCoomb. "Goonies Never Die" they just change directions. One of our favorite things about doing Craft Shows in New England is seeing our new friends from The Miranda Collection, Kristen, Jon and Kristen's sister Cheri.

Kristen creates the most fabulous jewerly and has a spirit like no other. We found ourselves setting up next to them at the Wells, Maine show and then after talking for a while realized Kristen went to school with my husband, Steve.

They fell in love with our hats and we fell in love with their jewerly! I am very lucky to have gotten her last star fish pendant which I haven't stopped wearing since I purchased it from them. Sue P fell in love with a bracelet that she still has her eye on.
http://www.themirandacollection.com
http://www.thelittlehatcompany.com

Summer Tradition Arts & Crafts Festival - Wolfeboro New Hampshire

Sue and I just got home from our first day at The Summer Tradition Arts & Crafts Festival on the campus of Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, Maine.

The campus was beautiful, right on lake Winnipesaukee. We set up the booth under the main canopee. A lot of moms bought matching Beachcomber lids with their little ones - Very Cute!! http://www.thelittlehatcompany.com/Beachcomber_p/beachcomberkids001.htm