Meet Brooke Happe, DPT, mom of three, founder of b.e. happe designs…and creator of super-cozy (super adorable), hand-knitted hats and scarves. Brooke started her bustling business about three years ago when she stopped working as a DPT – doctor of physical therapy – to stay home with her young children.
As a physical therapist, she wanted to keep her hands strong. So, she took up crochet, and later knitting. All her handmade hats found a home at Blank Children’s Hospital where she donated them as she perfected her craft. Before long, people started asking to buy her hats…and business exploded. Brooke opened her shop in 2016, and ever since, more (and more) faux-fur pom-topped hats popped up all around the state – and in shops across the U.S.!
b.e. happe designs – full of style
One of our favorite things about Brooke’s business is how she’s giving back. With each baby hat purchase, b.e. happe designs will donate a handmade baby hat to Blank Children’s Hospital. And, for every toddler to adult-sized purchase, proceeds go toward the purchase of Wish List items for Blank Children’s Hospital.
Brooke is busy, so busy…running a growing business, interacting with her loyal tribe on social media, and supporting her community. Oh…and did we mention? She does it all during naptime and after the kids go to sleep.
How cool is that?
We recently interviewed Brooke to learn the story behind b.e. happe designs and hear some of her secrets to success. While we talked by phone, Brooke was not sitting still. No, she was out buying yarn, kids in tow. It’s hat season, after all, and every minute counts. (Gracious as she is, she kindly accepted our interview.) Brooke’s three great kids waited patiently in the background, every bit a part of her mompreneur life.
RBF: How did you decide to just go for it and start b.e. happe designs?
Brooke: When people started asking to buy my hats, things just kind of took off. But, it was the philanthropy aspect I was drawn to most – and having my kids participate with the donations. When I started b.e. happe designs, we did a one-for-one donation every time I made a hat. So that was one thing – I was giving back every time we made a sale. I didn’t have any expectations with this model. My goal was just to make a small difference. I thought it was important for my kids to help donate the hats and see how good it felt to give.
RBF: What a great way to give back! Why did you choose to donate to Blank Children’s Hospital? Was it your connection as a medical professional?
Brooke: Yes. We moved here when I went to Physical Therapy school. We were fortunate to have had healthy babies, and we weren’t at Blank when our kids were born. But I knew how the little things make an impact! My 4-year-old was in the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) for six days, and that’s when things hit home. After that PICU experience, I revisited the b.e. happe donations model. In the beginning, we were donating one hat for every hat purchased – not just baby hats. But, my experience shed light on what else was needed for the children at Blank. We still donate one baby hat for every baby hat sold. But for all other purchases we donate a portion of the proceeds to purchase items from Blank’s Wish List. Based on what I experienced with my own family, that seemed to be the best way to get these young kids what they need most.
RBF: What was your biggest fear in getting started?
Brooke: People not liking my products! I wanted to make something you couldn’t find on the shelf, and I didn’t know if my style would suit the masses. I like to use colors and make things that are different. So, that doubt crept in.
RBF: Oh, we’d say people sure like your products! We see your hats running around all over town – on the school playgrounds, on moms in Target, in Christmas photos…everywhere! What do you think when you see your customers enjoying your products?
Brooke: (laughs) It’s humbling! My son saw one of our hats on a friend in his preschool class. So, he walked up to her and said, “That’s my mom’s hat!” The little girl responded with “No it’s not, it’s my hat.” It was cute.
RBF: Ha! What a sweet story. You’ve done an amazing job of bringing your family into your business. You’re such a great example of a “mompreneur” who makes it all work! As a mom and a business owner, I’m sure you find yourself pulled in many directions. How do you structure your days for success?
Brooke: I want to be present with my kids, so I’ve accepted that I’ll do everything when they go to bed. That means a lot of late nights and early mornings! I bring my supplies and knit when I’m waiting in the car line at preschool pickup – that’s 10-15 minutes, so I get a little bit done during the day. We do have a structured day at my house. The kids go to bed at 7:00pm, and then I work until 1:00 or 2:00a.m. I get very little sleep! This will be our third busy Christmas season since we opened.
RBF: Three years, you’ve had b.e. happe designs? No doubt you’ve learned a lot. When you started, how did you acquire the skills you needed, but didn’t know you needed?
Brooke: I read a lot and talked to other business professionals. My parents have been a great support. And my husband helps me with the day-to-day, the billing, and the little things you don’t consider but are required of small businesses. I’ve also been glad to connect with many other makers in Des Moines – I learn from them too. Some parts of the business have been kind of a trial-and-error. I’m still learning every day!
RBF: You appear to really love what you’re doing. What lies ahead for b.e. happe designs?
Brooke: I do enjoy it! Well, I hate having to make a cutoff deadline for orders, and tell people no. It was so hard to make a deadline in November for Christmas orders – people aren’t even doing their Christmas shopping then! But when customers buy handmade, I think they realize it takes time.
Scalability is our #1 goal for 2019. We are also building our team and making some inventory available online. And, we are looking into expanding our giving process – maybe choosing a different hospital every month or something like that.
RBF: A lot of people think about starting a business of their own. What advice would you have for an entrepreneur wannabe?
Brooke: Just go for it! As cliché as that sounds, I didn’t want to ever look back and say that I didn’t try. Trust your gut and know you tried. What you build doesn’t have to be a massive company or production! As long as you’re happy with what you’re doing and pursuing what you feel called to do, I think that’s more important.
Great advice from a maker who has it all together. Thanks for the inspiration – and the cutest hats – Brooke!
To order your favorite hat (not for Christmas delivery), or request a custom order, find Brooke at behappedesigns.com, on Instagram and Facebook. Join us in following along to see Brooke’s latest work!
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