Check Out Kira Vos’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kira Vos.

Hi Kira, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Our story isn’t terribly unique. I had two little boys and couldn’t find high-quality, excellent fitting hats with designs that spoke to the things that my family cherishes. We are an outdoor-loving, adventure-seeking, travel-obsessed family who appreciates the simple things childhood has always been made of like climbing trees, getting dirty, and finding treasures in nature. I’ve been working for myself as a photographer for the last 19 years so, in some ways, I was familiar with starting up a business. However, there are so many aspects of Wild & Free that were completely new to me, and every day I am learning so much. I didn’t want to make ordinary kid’s hats that didn’t really fit right or weren’t practical. So, I spent over a year researching, testing, and sampling products customizing every single aspect of these hats.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No! I have and honestly continue to have issues having these hats manufactured. I am a perfectionist in many ways and expect excellent quality with each order. Seems simple right? Well, apparently, it is not. I have gone through three manufacturers and am currently looking for a new one. A big goal of mine is to start producing in the USA with sustainable materials, so maybe all of these overseas hiccups are a blessing in disguise. Other than consistency with each order, I have always struggled with marketing and have been working really hard on figuring out how to leverage social media for the company.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have been a photographer for the last 19 years and have traveled to over 40 countries. I have taken my love for travel and used many of the adventures I have had and wanderings from around the world to inspire these hat designs and give them their names. Wild & Free is deeply personal to me, a person who wasn’t sure she would settle down and now has a husband and two kids. My vagabond lifestyle has always been at the root of who I am, and I’m happy to say my wanderlust has rubbed off on my husband, and we continue to explore and travel with our two young boys. These designs are for kids and families that love nature. The mountains, the ocean, and everything in between. They are for families who want to spend their time outside and appreciate nature. These hats are also meant to be worn. Yes, they are fun designs but are also completely functional and practical for daily life, especially here in sunny Colorado.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I feel like I am still in the “starting out” phase. I work daily on creating lists. Lists help me stay focused and prioritize tasks I have to do. At the very beginning, I felt overwhelmed, and sometimes still do, by the amount of work it has been. It seems like every time I get one thing done, I learn about something else that could help the business grow, and it adds ten more things to my task list. My list really does help me, though, because there is a sense of accomplishment when I cross things off.

Contact Info:

• Email: support@wildandfreehats.com
• Website: www.WildAndFreeHats.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/wild_and_free_hats
• Facebook: facebook.com/WildAndFreeHats/
• Other: etsy.com/shop/WildAndFreeKidsHats

Image Credits
Kira Vos Photography