The battle of showing your strength and femininity as a woman is one that I, like many others, face every day. In today’s culture, there is not a lot of room to be the inherently gentle, caring, and soft humans we all are deep down in our core. It is easier to be hard shelled and handle everything on our own, with a focus on work and what needs done. It doesn’t always feel like there is a space out there where we can be all those things at once, but there is- we just have to make room for it.

I have spent the better part of the past two years closing myself off to the soft side of myself, always pushing myself to work harder and do more, that I didn’t give myself the time to feel. The time to accept myself. I worked jobs that were known to be hard and that rugged, tough people worked. Coincidentally, a cowboy hat was a part of the uniform.

I felt strong in it, it was a part of the mask I wore to be seen as strong. I showed up early to the ranch and worked as hard as I could to avoid facing any of my battles.

“The more I work, and the harder I work, the faster those thoughts will go away.”

“I don’t have time to open up, I have work to do.”

“If I can do something like this, I have it all figured out.”

All ways of telling myself that being strong is a necessity, being soft is a weakness. But as I spent more time on that ranch, I saw through little moments that true strength lies in being soft, and letting all the different parts of yourself shine. I learned that connection with others and honesty with yourself is what establishes true strength. It takes a stronger person to admit struggle, fear, pain, and a need for change than one who turns their back to the beast until it bites at your heels and pulls at your leg.

Miranda Seim has created a beautiful physical representation of the hard fact that the softness that you find in a woman’s femininity, is a necessary building block of a woman’s strength. Something that represents such fierceness like a cowboy hat can become so much deeper and touch your soul a little more if it has a gentle side- if it has wildflowers painted on the brim.

Her appreciation of balance and acknowledgement of self-acceptance makes me proud to feature her on Klein House, and brings me a sense of comfort that there are other woman out there fighting the same battles I am- I can learn a lot from people like her.

Read Miranda’s story below and find ways to support her, and her mission.

What is your name and business’s name? Where is your business located?

- Miranda Seim, Ruminant Hat Co., based out of Bozeman Montana

Tell me about your brand:

- Ruminant Hat Co. embraces the powerful fusion of strength and femininity, the brand concept combines the rugged allure of cowboy hats with the delicate beauty of hand painted flowers. I believe that true strength lies in embracing the natural world around us and celebrating the inherent grace and of the feminine spirit.

- Through meticulously crafted designs, I aim to empower individuals to embrace their inner strength while embracing their femininity. Each flower painted on these cowboy hats represents the resilience, growth, and beauty found in nature. By merging these elements, we create a visual language that speaks to the harmony between strength and softness.

- The Ruminant brand is more than just fashion; it’s a statement of empowerment and self-expression. I believe that everyone has the ability to channel their inner strength and bloom with confidence. The product I create serve as a reminder to embrace one’s unique journey and the power of personal growth.

What does your business do/provide?

- I create drabble pieces of wearable art, painted cowboy hats, bandanas, tote bags, and the occasional painting on canvas. I am committed to quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, each wearable pieces of art exude elegance and individuality. From vibrant colors of our floral designs to the timeless appeal of a well-crafted cowboy hat, Ruminant embodies the fusion of strength, femininity, and nature.

- I create art that honors the journey of self-discovery and celebrates your own unique blend of strength and femininity. Whether you’re exploring the untamed wilderness or striding confidently through city streets, Ruminant Hats is here to accompany you, reminding you of the power and beauty that lies within.

-“Where strength and femininity converge, and bloom on cowboy hats.”

What do you feel sets you and your business apart from others?

- I am committed to using as eco-friendly based practices. By utilizing high-quality hats made from durable materials, and painting with water proof, fabric printing ink, I can ensure each products longevity, even under harsh conditions, and preventing them from ending up in the landfill.

- This sustainable approach not only reduces waste but also promotes responsible consumption. Investing in high quality hats means they can withstand the test of time, staying in use for years to come. Additionally, using water proof fabric ink ensures resilience of the design painted on each hat, making them resilient to harsh weather conditions and increasing their lifespan. By committing to these eco based practices and values, I hope to provide myself and my clients with the knowledge we are contributing to a more sustainable future.

What is your business’s backstory? How and why did you start your business?

- I started my business after ending a high stress, high intensity, social work job. I worked in a non-profit, as a Program Manager to a fleet of “at risk” teens. We taught social emotion workshops, and on the weekends took the kids an adventures around Montana. I loved my job and every kid I got to work with along the way. However the job became all consuming, taking over my life and all of my time, which of course led to burnout. When I left, I had planned to take the winter off to ski and play, but in a twist of fate, a friend and fellow artist in the community invited me to sell some of my original 5 panel hats at an art market she and some other local artist were putting on.

*Back back story, when I was in collage I created an Indian paintbrush design that I had printed on to five panel hats. I was sick of not being able to find a good hat that didn’t advertise a brand or business.*

People loved them, and I sold out, I decide to tap back into my creative side and started making more hats, and joining more markets. What started as a fun side gig, turned into me tapping back into my love of painting and starting a business. I find an immense amount of peace and freedom in making my own schedule, working for myself, challenging my creative and learning about running a business.

After working in a space where my time was not my own, and I believed if I wasn’t draining my body and brain I wasn’t working hard, I now strive to create a space where I can find my own balance of work and peace, I work daily to crush my old beliefs around what hard work is and feels like, and I am building a business that is my own, and that honors my values.

What are the driving passions and morals for you and your business?

- The driving passional and morals of my business are centered around work-life balance, commitment to quality and creativity, connecting people with their inner strength and femininity, and embracing the natural world.

- I prioritize work-life balance because I believe that a healthy and fulfilling personal life is essential for overall well-being and productivity. I am commitment to quality and creativity which ensures that every product offered is of the highest standard, reflecting dedication to excellence in artistic practices.

-Furthermore, I am passionate about creating a narrative around connecting inner strength and femininity. I believe in empowering individuals to embrace their unique qualities and find confidence in their own abilities.

-In addition, I strive to create sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices within my business operations. By embracing the natural world, I hope to encourage others to develop a deeper connection with nature and make conscious choices that contribute to its preservation.

What do you think really put your business on the map?

- Social Media, my businesses is almost all online, being able to use social media to connect with my community has been the driving base for my ability to create art full time.

What are the most gratifying parts and most challenging parts of being a business owner?

- The most gratifying part of being a business owner is being able to work from home with my sweet Dog named Duck, challenge my creativity, and learning something new everyday. As well as connecting with other artists and business owners.

- Challenges include things like imposter syndrome, it feels unbelievable that I am running a business, and it’s easy to question if I am doing things “right” or measuring my success to others, instead of to myself, and my own growth.

What is your favorite memory of running your business?

-One of my favorite memories was releasing my first collection of cowboy hats. It is so scary to working on something for months, then release it to the world. A collection of art holds pieces of you in it, releasing it to the world is really nerve wracking. The outpouring of support I received was incredible, my collection sold out in minutes and kind words people shared with me filled my heart to the absolute brim. Every kind word people send I hold onto dearly.

How has your background/ life story played a role in who you are today?

- Art and creativity were values my parents held tight to, they put my brother and I in schools that valued art, and experiential based learning. They pushed us to try new things and taught us that failure is okay, and how to learn from it. They pushed us to ski, mountain bike, and took us camping, they taught us to love nature, and how to be independent thinkers. All of this has led to me feeling supported and prepared in starting a business and following a path that is challenging and peaceful at the same time.

What is one accomplishment you are most proud of in terms of your business?

- It’s hard to say there is one thing I am most proud of, In general I am most proud of creating a business that honors my values and has connected me with so many wonderful people.

- Specifically, I have recently started a line of bandanas, that are created from canvas paintings I have done. I hand paint each design on canvas, then have the design printed on to recycled fabric bandanas, creating custom, artisan pieces of clothing. It’s exciting to add a little more variety to my creative process.

Is there someone or something you would like to thank or give credit to for your business ventures?

- I want to acknowledge my ever loving and encouraging family.

Small businesses are the building blocks for a strong community. What are your favorite things to do, see, or share in your community?

- I am in love with the place I live, not only for the endless opportunities it provides to escape in to the wild, but also for the wonderful communities this place curates. The art community here is growing and the people in it are welcoming and supportive. There is a culture of holding out your hand to help your neighbor, and your friends, I hope we can maintain that value as this place continues to grow.

Ruminant’s Social Handles and Contact Information:

Instagram: ruminant.hat.co

TikTok: ruminant.hat.co

Pinterest: ruminant.hat.co

Email: ruminant.hat.co@gmail.com