Now Hiring! Hatter & Sales Associate

Hatter (Hat Maker) & Sales Associate

Location: Crested Butte, Colorado | Part-Time, Hourly, Sales Bonuses | $/hr| 4-6 Weeks Off | Associate

About Björkstam Hat Co:

In June of 2021, Björkstam opened its doors on Elk Avenue in Crested Butte. Since then, the brand has expanded thoughtfully, growing both in-person and online while staying true to its foundations in small-batch production and hands-on craftsmanship. Today, Björkstam operates between its flagship storefront in Crested Butte and a dedicated workshop in Hood River, with two shows annually in Round Top, Texas.

At its core, Björkstam celebrates a life lived boldly — whether carving lines down a mountain, exploring new landscapes, or making a statement through style. Every hat is shaped by hand, one at a time. No shortcuts. No mass production. Just honest craftsmanship and thoughtful design meant to be worn for years with real materials— and eventually, passed down.

The Role:

Our new Hatter & Sales Associate is someone who will become a key part of our tight-knit team at our Crested Butte retail store. They will be trained in how to craft and hand shape premium felt hats for the brand. This includes sizing customers for custom hats, assisting with fittings, styling, and educating customers about felt hats. 

They will also assist in the daily store operations, and sometimes be working autonomously in the shop providing exceptional customer experiences and driving store revenue through genuine interactions. 

Don’t know how to make hats? That’s okay. We will teach you. What we can't teach is curiosity, responsibility, genuine hospitality, and the desire to build something bigger than yourself.

This is a hands-on role full of craftsmanship and genuine interactions with our customers. 

Responsibilities:

-Retail Store

  • Assist in day-to-day store operations, such as opening/closing and cleanliness

  • Provide genuine customer service and experiences for our customers

  • Guide Customers through the custom hat design process

  • Assist in the creation of content for social media at the store

  • Assist with merchandising store inventory

  • Work with Store Manager to achieve weekly tasks as assigned

  • Ensure cash handling and register procedures are maintained and executed   

  • Support weddings, special events, trunk shows, and trade shows as needed

  • Become a trusted resource for both locals and visitors

  • Identify new opportunities to grow the customer experience

-Hat Production

  • Master the skills of hand-shaping western hats

  • Follow a weekly/bi-weekly production schedule as set by the Hat Production Manager for store inventory

  • Assist in tracking hat materials for production to ensure there are no delays in the production schedule

Who You Are

  • Genuinely enjoys talking with people and creating memorable experiences

  • Has a natural ability to sell without feeling "salesy"

  • Loves learning new skills and isn't intimidated by doing something you've never done before

  • Enjoys working with your hands and appreciates craftsmanship

  • Thrives when given ownership and accountability

  • Is organized, dependable, and follows through

  • Loves mountain towns, outdoor recreation, and small business culture

What We're Looking For

Absolute Must-Haves

  • Exceptional customer service and relationship-building skills

  • Proven ability to sell premium products and create outstanding customer experiences

  • Previous retail sales experience

  • Willingness to learn custom hat making from the ground up

  • Responsible with strong attention to detail

  • Willingness to take ownership

  • Willing to relocate to Crested Butte, Colorado (if you don't already live here)

  • Willing to work in-store five days per week

  • Occasional travel for events, weddings, and trade shows

Bonus Points If You Have

  • Experience making custom hats

  • Experience working with luxury or premium clientele

  • Visual merchandising experience

  • Small business experience

  • A passion for skiing, mountain biking, fly fishing, or simply living in the mountains

What We Provide

This role offers a rare opportunity to learn a craft that very few people know while helping

build an exciting business.

  • Hands-on training in custom hat making

  • Ski pass

  • Sales Performance Bonuses

  • Competitive Hourly Rate

  • Performance bonus opportunity

  • The chance to build skills that will serve you for the rest of your career

Let’s Be Honest

This opportunity isn't for everyone.

Living in Crested Butte is incredible. It's also different.

It's one of the coolest mountain towns in America, but it's a small community. If you're looking for big-city nightlife or endless shopping, this probably isn't your place. Retail also isn't always glamorous. During busy winter and summer seasons, the days can be long, weekends are part of the job, and you'll work hard.

This role also requires commitment.

We're investing significant time teaching someone a specialized craft, so we're looking for someone who plans to be here for at least 1-2 years, ideally longer.

In return, you'll gain an uncommon set of skills, meaningful responsibility, close mentorship, and the opportunity to help shape a growing business.

There is growth in this role and is largely what you make of it.

If you're excited about building relationships, learning an uncommon craft, living in an incredible mountain town, and creating products people will treasure for years, we'd love to meet you.

To Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter to info@bjorkstamhatco.com