Meet Shelley Sewell | Owner/Designer Baker Street Hat Co

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shelley Sewell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelley, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I believe that entrepreneurial spirit was passed down to me. I have been business minded from a young age and I’m always thinking of what is something that I like to use or do that is not currently over saturated in my area. I think that mindset came from My grandfather who started a furniture store when my dad and his siblings were young and is still a thriving business to this day. On my mom’s side, her mom, who I called Nanny had a ceramic shop and my grandfather had a woodworking shop in the small middle Georgia town I grew up in. My mom had a love of interior design and that is what I have always loved. I remember being a kid and constantly redecorating my room and even made myself a guest room out of my tiny closet .
I was always encouraged to work hard, save your money and treat others as you want to be treated. My cousin and I constantly were coming up with ways to make money or start a business. From charging way to much at a lemonade stand made out of furniture boxes or mowing grass at a very early age. Who could say no to a $3 Dixie cup of lemonade from two little girls with big eyes.
Fast forward to graduating and moving to North GA and marrying my husband Brandon in 1998 and starting a construction business that same year. That business continues to thrive and my husband puts his heart and soul into treating everyone’s home like they were his own. Construction has been good to us but i knew I wanted something a little more crafty and just for me. Long story short late one night I came up with making custom trucker hats and then added in bags and hat accessories. I immediately started researching the best places for patches and hats and the presses I would need. I am picky when it comes to what patches I offer . I want fun, unique and trendy patches. Then it was time to come up with a name. I wanted somethingthat meant something to me and wasn’t to cheesy. Coming up with the name was the hardest part! After a lot of mediocre ideas the name Baker Street Hat Co was born. It is after my Nanny’s maiden name – Baker

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Since I am just starting out this year with my small business I try to network and support other small businesses. I do lots of pop up hat bars at local boutiques. Its such a great way to get to know other ladies who work hard and have successfully opened and kept open their business. I also have been involved with local school fundraisers. I am able to set up the hat bar at school for students and teachers. It’s a fun day and we are able to raise money for the school. I have brought the hat bar to bachelorette luncheons. It’s a good time and something unique to do for the bride and her friends.
I love to design and i love to have hats and patches that not every person will have. I want your hat or bag to be an expression of YOU. So i have hundreds of different patches not just a lot of any one patch in particular. Think limited edition!

I am most excited about the newest addition to baker Street Hat Co. Her name is Betty and she is a 1972 Chevy Truck. I will be doing mobile hat bars right out of the truck. If you see her in town, follow her to a hat bar! I can set up a hat bar in your boutique, your home or you have the option of having the hat bar right out of the truck. I set everything up in the back of the truck and we decorate the area. It’s great for pictures and selfies. I have started to add a wedding hat bar. The hat bar is a great set up for wedding guest and a great memory to take home. I’m excited that my website was just launched. I’m hoping to get into more website sales and hosting virtual hat bars. You now are able to book all these services on my website. It’s alot of fun to host a hat bar in person but sometimes people’s schedules just don’t align so we can still get your friends together virtually. The process is still the same. You pick your color and style of a hat and patches, I put them together and once you are 100% satisfied I press the hat and we can add on chains and pins for some extra bling! Then you can pick up locally or I can ship. For the winter time we have added custom beanies to our shop.
Those looking for a personalized gifts we have totes, cosmetic cases and clutches. These look great with monogrammed letter patches. Basically if you want a patch on something…I can do it for you. Think patched jean jackets, flannel shirts. The possibilities are endless!

I have learned to not sweat the small stuff. Everyone faces some discouragement at times. It’s easy to fall Into comparing your self to others. I try to remember that there is room for all of us to do what we love as long as we Treat people how we want to be treated. I strive to Be honest and hardworking in all things! Most important enjoy what you do! It really is true if you do what you love it wont feel like a job. I love the design part of all this but I find the technical/ computer side of things to be not as fun but I’m working on it!! I know it’s one of those things that you just have to do to succeed. So I’m constantly trying to learn more and expand my horizons .

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So many good places to go in this city! Sometimes it’s nice to get lost and find new places to try. We are big sports fans and can usually find us at the Hawks or Braves game.. I usually love a whole in the wall kind of place for breakfast and lunch. Our go to for bbq is Pig n Chick. You have to check out a play at the Fox and have dinner/drinks at Lyla Lila. There are lots of great artist in Atlanta and I love a concert at the Tabernacle. Little five points is always a good place to shop for unique gifts.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Definitely starts from my late grandfather- Curnel Mullis. He led by example and instilled that business spirit into me. My parents Larry and Linda Mullis. My original business partner at age 8 and throughout my teen years, Marcie Knight. My biggest supporter and cheerleader, my husband Brandon Sewell. He encourages me to always do something I love and to keep going even when I get discouraged.

Website: https://Www.bakerstreethatco.com

Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/bakerstreethatco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1WsQAH8FU8/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Youtube: @bakerstreethatco