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Small Business Center

How Rustler Hat Co. Built a High-Demand Brand in a Crowded Market

September 12, 2025

When Alex Samuels left commercial real estate to open a hat bar in Nashville, she wasn’t just selling items — she was crafting experiences. What began as a pandemic side hustle quickly grew into Rustler Hat Co., where every hat is custom-fit, personalized and tied to a customer’s story. On Square’s The Way Up podcast, hosted by Guy Raz, Samuels shares how the brand expanded from a small shop into a sought-after business with corporate partners, merchandise and ambitious growth plans.

Listen to Samuels’ journey from real estate to retail.

By Rebecca Meiser

Contributor, Commerce + Communities Today and Small Business Center

Small Business Center

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