Life and Work with Brooklyn McIntosh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooklyn McIntosh.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My husband and I started our company in November of 2014, we had just sold our house and moved in with my parents as we looked to buy a new place. At the same time, we moved in with them we bought an existing hat company, closed down the location moved all the equipment into my parent’s garage and then later a race car trailer we converted into a hat shop and changed the name to Warbonnet. At first, this was my husbands baby but after one weekend of teaching me how to make hats and him realizing that I would be a great asset for a new ladies line he brought me on board. My first hat was bright yellow, (in fact he had me do the yellow one so in case I messed it up it would be no big deal, who wants a yellow hat right?!) I called it big bird and after noticing it needed to be toned down I got out the torch and distressed it with fire. After I threw on a beaded hat band and posted it, I had 30 people want it. That was when the ladies Proverbs 31 hat line was born – my baby.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it’s not been smooth, I have two kids and many times I have to take a back seat to work in the hat shop to be with my girls, keep the house in order, and cook meals. But I know that God has made me a mom to raise my girls in the likeness of Him and to do that I have to have them home with me. Ya, it would be easier most days to take them to daycare and come home and work, but I don’t feel that’s right for our family. I also have a second passion for coaching volleyball, and after stepping away last year, I decided to come back and coach at the lower level this year. This all takes place during Vegas Prep, so it gets quite hectic for me. I would say to other women who are wanting to jump off and do something on their own- go for it, but once you do be fully committed because there’s going to be times you want to throw in the towel. But I encourage you to look for the good in every day, be uplifting to other women business owners and befriend them. I know many women who are making big trails in this Western Industry, and I look to them for encouragement, and I make sure I dish it out even more than I get it.

Please tell us about Warbonnet Hatworks.
I do everything from making the hats, to add the hatbands, to giving them the creative touches, to the billing and the shipping oh and the cleaning-can’t forget that one! I would say I was most known for my creative touches when customers want something more I get to use my out of the box thinking and provide them with something unique.

Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
Social media especially Instagram has given women makers, influencers, brands, and photographers a huge opportunity to showcase themselves and their work and I think it has been one of the changing factors allowing more women to be seen and heard.