Today we’d like to introduce you to Caryn Castillo.
Caryn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins like many others, a single mom trying to create that life her two daughters (29 and 20) and 5yr old grandson can be inspired by. My newest phase in life, that I have grown to love, is an empty nester. This did not come easy in the beginning but have settled into this newest chapter of my life rather comfortably. My full time career is running a multi-family property management company, which I love! However, that is not what this story is about. This story is about a mom wanting to give her college bound daughter help financially. If you haven’t heard, college is not cheap and I wanted to come up with a plan to help lessen the financial burden.
My story starts with Mom’s weekend at the University of Arkansas, her sorority had a vendor market at their house with a hat bar set up. Never heard of it, never seen one. The hat bar stayed busy all day to the point where I never had the opportunity to make a hat.
Now fast forward to the end of her first year and the sticker shock of the annual cost for college became a reality. I knew I needed to come up with a plan to supplement my income to help her. I reached out to one of my best friends, we decided to meet at a local coffee shop and came up with a basic business plan to start my own hat bar. A few google searches later and Oh Mother Trucker was created!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The path to success has not been smooth. I have screwed up a lot of hats along the way but the one thing I already knew was if you screw up make it right! People were amazing and they gave me a lot of grace when it came to flawed products. I am a Type A personality when it comes to making a hat or bag for someone and I want it to be just right.
The first 90 days were definitely where I learned the most about how to properly press a hat, cost effective supplies, vendor markets and self promotion. These are all important aspects in the success of my small business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Oh Mother Trucker Hat Bar?
Oh Mother Trucker, is a mobile hat bar that offers a unique and personalized experience for customers by allowing them to customize trucker hats, bags, totes, and other accessories with a huge selection of heat-pressed patches. With thousands of patches to choose from, customers can create accessories that perfectly reflect their interests, personalities and styles.
The extensive variety of patches, along with a fun party vibe, decked out in disco balls and music of all genres truly sets apart Oh Mother Trucker from its competitors. The diverse selection of patches including sports-themed, Southern aesthetic, humorous sayings, leather patches, and countless other options, ensures that every customer can find something they love and connect with.
What I am most proud of is my OMT Gives Back Program. I was a booster/cheer parent for a decade and understand how important and exhausting fundraising can be. I offer to set up the hat bar with teams, Non-Profits or community events and donate a percentage back to the organization. This has truly been a rewarding experience and I look forward to these events every time that are booked!
Above all, I value the connection I have created with my customers. I find joy in getting to know each one, adults and kids alike and appreciate their unique personalities and witnessing their creative visions come to life as they design their personalized accessories.
If you would like more information about booking the hat bar for your personal and/or professional event please feel free to contact me: IG Oh_Mother_Trucker or Email oh.mother.trucker@gmail.com
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
This question really hits home to me. When I first had the idea to start my own hat bar I reached out to several (at least a dozen) other businesses I found through social media, asking if they could offer any insight to the what/where/when of starting their hat bar. I made sure I reached out to businesses that were not local and for the most part out of state or at least 3+ hrs away, as not to be a direct competitor. I was shocked and more so disappointed that not one of them ever responded. I made myself a promise if anyone reached out I would share everything I had learned along the way. I am lucky enough that I have a friend from high school who started her hat bar around the same time and she has been a huge resource for me then and now.
I have been able to offer my insight a few times over the last year on starting the hat bar and get so excited when I see their business successful!! As a woman, I want nothing more than to see other women succeed in life!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_mother_trucker/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559295934992
