Connect
To Top

Meet Eric and Emily Watson of Watson’s Hat Shop in Cave Creek

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric and Emily Watson.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Eric and Emily. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After graduating from college and flight school with the eagerness to begin careers in the aviation industry, the failing economy of 2009 forced Eric and Emily Watson to rethink career paths. Eric Watson decided to take his future into his own hands by starting a business based on his love for hats and his childhood hero, Indiana Jones. Newlywed from Ohio, Eric and Emily moved to Arizona to pursue jobs and opportunity. Through research, time, and countless sleepless nights, Eric was finally ready to open the doors of his 500 sq. ft. shop located in Cave Creek, AZ.

You’ll always remember your first customer and on that day when Watson’s Hat Shop began, the first customer bought not only one hat, but several and it was a sure sign that things were going to be okay. After just three years in business, Watson’s Hat Shop had outgrown its quaint little shop and Eric and Emily decided to move their location down the road to the undeveloped shop location in Cave Creek’s Stagecoach Village Shopping Center. Having the chance to design your shop exactly the way you want is any business owner’s dream. And the design they did!

Walking through the doors you will immediately feel transported back in time when the era of hats and hat making was at its peak. From the late 1800s machinery to the tin ceiling and retro decor, Watson’s Hat Shop is a functional museum. Hundreds of antique hat blocks and brim molds can be seen lining the workshop walls. They even have a 120-year-old hat conformateur used to take an exact head shape impression guaranteeing the most comfortable fitting hat you will ever wear.

It’s interesting that two young people with old souls had been preparing for the success of Watson’s Hat Shop from an early age without even knowing it. As a little girl, Emily’s mom would encourage art and sewing at a young age as well as Eric’s mom, who would drive him around to antique stores collecting vintage hats and hat making equipment to make hats like Indiana Jones’s. It was the love of aviation that brought these two together and they have used their passion for success to take a struggling situation and turn it into a thriving business for the world to appreciate. It’s important to Eric and Emily that the past is preserved for hat making. Who knew that taking off on one runway would soar and land them on the fashion runway. Hats off to Watson’s Hat Shop!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We struggled with leaving our family in Ohio and moving to Arizona. In the beginning, Emily continued her aviation career for 10 years while Eric ran the business, so having different lives was the biggest challenge they faced. Watson’s Hat Shop needed them both, so Emily quite her flying job and came to the hat shop full time in 2016 to help run the shop smoother. It was a huge relief for Eric as the business grew and Emily even found that she too, could learn the trade of hat making. Being a business owner is a constant struggle, you will always have ups and downs. Taking leaps of faith is a daily routine. Their faith has to lead them to center the business around God and with that, they have overcome the challenges that were placed before them and continue to do so each and every day.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Watson’s Hat Shop – what should we know?
Every material that goes into a Watson hat is made in the USA. Each hat is carefully handcrafted requiring over 60 steps from start to finish. Watson’s hats have even topped some celebrity customers. They even had the privilege of making the hats for the Netflix series, Godless. Not only is every hat custom built for you, but the custom fit is a life-changing moment for any hat wearer. From rodeo queens to the working cowboy, Watson’s hats are made to last a lifetime. Along with western hats, Watson’s Hat Shop specializes in fedoras, panamas, and the newest trends in ladies fashion hats created by Emily herself. Intricate details of materials, ribbon, and hand-embroidered designs are just among the few embellishments adorning the Lady Watson hats. Watson’s Hat Shop was recently featured in both the 2019 New York City and 2019 Paris Fashion Shows! Watson’s Hat Shop is simply known for quality and attention to details. Having a great relationship with customers had led them to form friendships, serve the community, and represent the modern age’s respect for traditional handcrafted work.

When you look back, what are you most proud of?
The proudest moments for us is when our family visits and they come and see what we have worked so hard to build. Our family knows the struggles that we have faced along the way and its a touching moment when you hear your dad say that he is proud of you when your grandparents have tears in their eyes full of amazement. Not everyone can lift themselves up after failing and hitting financial rock bottom. Our marriage, faith, and constant support from close family are what has kept us strong and full throttle to building our business and brand.

Pricing:

  • Custom felt hats start at $599
  • Custom panama hats start at $399
  • Hat Restoration services range from $49-$299, depending on the condition of repair work

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Ben Christensen Photography

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in