Locations/Headquarters: Arlington, TN; Memphis, TN
Business Accolades:
NaVOBA Certified
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VBE Spotlight on: The Hat Pros
Events NaVOBA • Nov 30, 2023
The Hat Pros
The Hat Pros was founded in 2002 by Joshua Dowden.
This week's VBE Spotlight features The Hat Pros, a proud Veteran-Owned, family-operated small business specializing in high-quality headwear. Established in 2002 and based in Arlington, TN, they have expanded their collection to include a diverse range of brands and styles, along with top-notch custom embroidery services. Committed to ensuring a perfect fit and exceptional quality, The Hat Pros understand the importance of a well-fitting hat for style, comfort, and functionality. They welcome visitors to their showroom in Arlington and Memphis, TN, to explore their wide selection and experience their dedicated customer service.
Learn more about The Hat Pros at www.thehatpros.com
About the Business - Veteran-Owned, Quality Headwear
What services do you provide?
"Blank and custom embellished headwear sales"
Who are your primary customers?
"Businesses, Schools, Sports Teams, Organizations, Military, Law Enforcement, etc."
When and how did you start your business?
"In 2002, we started as a small custom embroidery shop, operating out of our garage."
Business Growth Challenges - Growing Through Challenge and Change
What were some of the challenges in starting your business?
"In the early days, trying to balance growing the business, while serving on active duty, was the biggest challenge."
What is the key to the success of your business?
"The ability to start the business while not needing to rely on profits allowed the growth of this business possible."
What lessons learned can you share with people to make their business succeed?
"Know the business inside and out, and don't be afraid to take calculated risk."
What pitfalls should they avoid?
"Trying to grow too quick, and expecting to be profitable from the start."
What other information about you and your business would you like to share with the NaVOBA Community?
"Find a product or service that has proven demand, then be the best at it!"
Service information
Branch:
United States Navy
Service Years:
1991-2016
Highest Rank Attained:
E9/MCPO
Why did you join the military?
"Raised in a military family, and really didn't know what I wanted to do for a career."
Military Occupation:
"U.S. Navy EOD Technician"
Any significant military achievements / experience you would like to mention?
"2 x Bronze Stars, Command Master Chief, several combat deployments"
Biography/Fun Facts
People might be interested to know what?
"In my early Navy years, I was fortunate to be a part of the Navy Marine Mammal Program, training dolphins to locate and neutralize mines."
What do you do to relax?
"My favorite thing to do is riding motorcycles. I enjoy touring, as well as adventure riding off-road."
What would you be doing if you were not a business owner?
"If I could pick another field of work, I would be a Homicide Detective. I enjoy watching Dateline, Forensic Files, etc. and trying to solve murder mysteries."
On October 22, NaVOBA celebrated the Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year Awards Ceremony during the 2024 National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Conference in Atlanta. Hosted at Cuts Steakhouse, a sponsor of the event alongside Accenture, Shell, and Hilton, the event was complete with a full course meal, drinks, and networking. Mimi Lohm, NaVOBA's Chief Development Officer, kicked off the event and set the stage for the awardees. Keynote speakers included Brandi Rauch, General Manager of Supply Chain for Shell, Che' McFerrin, Associate Manager, Global Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability at Accenture, and Matthew Pavelek, NaVOBA's President. Before the announcements of the winners, NaVOBA surprised Don McKneely, Chairman & CEO of Minority Business News, with the 2024 Veteran's Business Champion Award. The program then went on to highlight two companies who have demonstrated excellence within their industries with the 2024 Veteran's Business Enterprise (VBE)® We Love Awards. The first VBE We Love Award went to Demond Crump, CEO of REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins. Founded in 2019, REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins specializes in providing innovative sanitary napkins and panty liners infused with a Nobel Prize-winning material featuring a super absorbent system. The key to REIGN's success lies in prioritizing their mission over profits, ensuring that the focus on empowering women and young girls takes precedence. Demond served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1990 to 1994, achieving the rank of E-5 and specializing as an Operations Specialist. He is Aegis system qualified and brings a wealth of strategic expertise from his military service to his entrepreneurial journey. You can read more about this VBE spotlight here . The second VBE We Love Award was presented to Paden Sickles, CEO of SickFit. Founded in 2021, SickFit specializes in wholesale and custom socks, as well as murals. SickFit caters to a diverse customer base that includes service members, athletes, corporate partners, active individuals, and government entities. The key to SickFit's success lies in its commitment to innovation and authenticity. As a veteran-owned, woman-owned, and minority-owned company, SickFit represents a movement focused on resilience and empowerment, particularly for those in underrepresented communities. Paden served from 2014 to 2024 in the Army, achieving the rank of Captain and earned the Expert Soldier Badge and Air Assault Wings. You can learn more about this VBE spotlight here . NaVOBA then celebrated the 2024 Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise ® of the Year: Robert Swain, CEO of Swain Enterprises. Established in 2020, Swain Enterprises specializes in federal projects, including restoration and renovations for military bases, federal facilities, and hospitals in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC areas. Swain Enterprises is committed to providing the highest level of service to government, commercial, educational, and institutional clients. The key to the success of Swain Enterprises has been a focus on integrity, hard work, and strong relationships. From the outset, the company has committed to delivering high-quality work and exceeding client expectations. As a fully veteran-owned business, Swain Enterprises is dedicated to empowering veterans and creating opportunities for those moving from military to civilian careers. You can read more about NaVOBA's 2024 Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year here .
Jewel Sanitary Napkins LLC
Swain Enterprises LLC
Thank you for your interest in the National Veteran Owned Business Association’s Certified Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (VBE) and Certified Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (SDVBE) programs. This initiative creates a nationally recognized gold standard in certification for veteran-owned businesses of all sizes and enables corporate America to proactively source and confidently utilize businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by U.S. military veterans.
OUR MISSION
NaVOBA’s mission is to create corporate contracting opportunities for America’s Veteran’s and Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprises (VBEs/SDVBEs) through certification, advocacy, outreach, recognition and education.
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