Conversations with Kay McKenzie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay McKenzie.

Hi Kay, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Sam and I (Kay), started making hats during the midst of everything being shut down due to Covid. I have always been a maker in many different mediums (metalworking, stained glass, etc.) and had started making hatbands with leather.

Somehow that turned into “let’s just make the whole hat” and we both got really excited and obsessed with collecting all the tools and materials and learning the trade. We are both self-taught and had to just kind of puzzle piece all the bits of information together on how to make them, as well as a lot of trial and error.

We were working out of my metal shop for a while and just operating on Instagram. We started gaining enough interest in orders and business through Instagram that when this amazing spot in steamboat popped up with a place for both the workshop and a showroom, we took the leap and both dove into making hats full time.

We opened in July and have been busy ever since!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I would say overall it has been fairly smooth, however, there have been some challenges and struggles that come along with opening a new business. Learning to juggle our time management when running a retail shop as well as trying to work down in the workshop on custom orders has been somewhat of a challenge at times.

The more people that are coming into the store generally the less work we get done in the shop due to things like doing measurements and informing people about the process. Especially since it is just the two of us, there is always endless work to be done!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We make custom fur felt hats of all different styles. Being in Steamboat Springs, a lot of our hats have some sort of western flare but are not necessarily super “cowboy” style. We have a fairly unique style, using a lot of fun vintage colorful fabrics, antique pins, and bison leather in a lot of our handmade hatbands.

We pride ourselves on bringing client visions to life so we really can make whatever it is you can dream up. Our shop is really fun in that you can come in and pick everything for your hat from start to finish. We also have a selection of “ready to wear” hats in our showroom available for purchase that can all be custom fit to your head in the shop.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
We get so many first-time hat wearers that come in and say “well I’m not really a hat person” and the more they check out all the fun options the more into it they get. Getting a custom hat is really special because it is completely tailored to you and your style, so even the people who think they can’t pull off a hat, end up really falling in love with their hat and feeling confident in it.

Pricing:

• Custom Hats start at $600
• Ready to wear hats priced anywhere from $400 and up

Contact Info:

• Email: steamboathatter@gmail.com
• Website: www.steamboathatter.com
• Instagram: steamboathatter
• Facebook: facebook.com/steamboathatter

Image Credits:
Jesse Brucato and John Lanterman.