Name: Emily Elliot
Occupation: Designer
KKi product: ‘the Riley’-Brown [SHOP NOW!]
Here’s an inside look of our WHAT WE CARRY photo shoot with Emily Elliot at her design studio.
Check back next week to read Emily’s WHAT WE CARRY interview and discover what she carries. In her profile you’ll find her advice for the lady who made her hat and what she loves most about her space and designing.
Krochet Kids international aims to provide the very best in the quality of our products, as well as in the support we offer our customers. Our products are the absolute best way for you to get involved with our story by not only helping fund our programs through your purchases, but also by encouraging the beneficiaries we work with around the globe through your thank you notes.
To improve our communication with you all we’ve launched a new page just for customer care. If your question isn’t answered there… we’re excited to announce that our customer care phone line is officially open!
Please let us know if there are any more ways to improve the overall quality and efficiency of the customer care page or phone line.
VISIT OUR CUSTOMER CARE PAGE HERE
customer care line:
1.949.270.6831
email:
customercare@krochetkids.org
Name: Dane Hesse
Occupation: Barber/American/Jack of a Few Trades
KKi product: ‘the Lincoln’- Black [SHOP NOW!]
Here’s a look inside the photo shoot we did with Dane Hesse at his barber shop Eagle & Pig for his WHAT WE CARRY profile. In his interview he talks about why he likes the new product addition to the KKi line and offers advice to Alanyo Teddy of N. Uganda about being a small business owner.
Joel has been a long time friend and supporter of Krochet Kids intl. and is from our hometown – Spokane, WA. When the opportunity came up to support our new project in Peru by way of our Kickstarter project, he and his wife jumped at the opportunity to get involved and leave their mark on KKi history. We released only 3 chances for people to pledge to the campaign and get to name one of our new hat styles.
They chose to name the above hat style ‘the Davis’. Learn more below…
Why did you decide to donate to the Krochet Kids Peru Kickstarter project?
I donated to the kickstarter project because I 100% believe in the work KKi is doing and because Stew is so damn handsome.
What’s the significance behind the name ‘the Davis’?
‘the Davis’ is named after Davis Lake in Usk, WA in the beautiful PNW, which is hands down the best place on earth… fact.
{picture of Davis Lake provided by Joel below}
What do you like best about ‘the Davis?’
What I like the best about the Davis is just looking at it. It screams Northwest to me, like put on your flannel and go chop some wood.
Name: Dane Hesse
Occupation: Barber/American/Jack of a Few Trades
KKi product: ‘the Lincoln’- Black [SHOP NOW!]
What was your motivation to learn to cut hair?
After I earned my degree in History and Political Science I wanted to learn a trade. Being a barber is an art form just like any other. It’s also an honest living. I needed a way to express myself. I can’t paint. Or draw. So I went to barber school. And, I really don’t get along with bosses all that well.
Top 3 conversation starters:
1. Beer? Or, Whiskey?
2. How is your day going? (Classic)
3. I try really hard to remember something different about each individual customer. Everyone has a topic that “lights” them up. My goal is to search that out in each person who comes into my shop.
At your shop you have a lot of other things going on other than just hair cutting. What else happens in your space?
I share my shop with a buddy of mine “Eagle.” He has a knack for finding awesome wares at swap meets, Palm Springs, where ever. He’s got a radical style. Rides Harleys. Im “Pig,” or Pig Barber. I’m the guy credited with cozying up our space. Building random pieces of furniture. Finding super cool things in the trash…old doors, mirrors, etc.
Each month we have a SIX PACK SWAP. Everyone brings a six pack of beer. I’ve got an old claw foot tub that I fill with ice. We listen to music and talk until the morning.
Tell us about your barber chair:
My chair is a 1930s dentist chair. All of the older mechanical chairs were made in the same factories. Barber. Dentist. Mine has this crazy looking detachable headrest. People usually blink a few times when I pull it out before a shave. There are several pedals and levers, but it’s really a simple chair to operate. Plainly, nobody else really uses a chair like this one.
Do you enjoy using the straight edge for shaves? Is it ever nerve racking?
I really like performing shaves. My chair is perfect for doing them. Gets the client up higher and really stretches their neck out.
My nerves only get to me when a client won’t stop talking. Or, if they are a “gulper.” People who swallow a lot when things are around their throats are the worst. Gulp, Gulp, Gulping away while I navigate between shaving the neck and avoiding slashing their throat. It’s like pulling alligator teeth.
What is that little kit in between the Grant’s and the scissors?
That is a classic single blade safety razor. Made by AutoStrop. Basically, you put a one sided razor blade in it and shave your face. They work pretty well once you get the angle right. Safety razors are a safer option than trying to shave with a conventional straight razor.
What do you keep in the flask generally?
Bulleit Kentucky Whiskey…Bourbon or Rye.
Dubble Bubble?
Classic, crappy, barbershop bubble gum. Basically, a “have to.”
Your bow tie was made by Teddy. After viewing her profile, what stood out to you about her and her story?
Since the inception of KK Uganda the stories from each woman have been eye opening. Teddy seems to have a heart like mine…willing to help others no matter what. How many people do you know who would willingly take from the money that they earned, with their sweat, and send a younger sibling to school? Umm?…On top of that, it amazes me that someone who has lived a perilous life can still muster up the strength to have a forward vision. Simply amazing.
What do you like about ‘the Lincoln’ bow tie?
I’ve been around KKi since they were making hats in the Vanguard University dorms. My wife and I buy a few hats every year. That being said, I don’t really wear any of them because I’m not a hat person. It’s mainly about supporting my close friends.
‘the Lincoln’ is a RAD new addition to the KKi line. It gives me something different to wear. People notice it right away and it sparks interest in the program.
As a small business owner yourself, what wisdom would you give Teddy as she plans to start her own business?
Never lose sight of the future. Never work so hard that you forget about the love you have for your craft. Doesn’t have to be an artisan profession…it could be marketing, but it’s important to enjoy what you do for a living. Life is too damn short to sweat bullets or worry everyday.
Where do we come if we want a haircut?
Eagle & Pig. 1782 Monrovia Ave Costa Mesa, CA 92627 [view map]
How do we schedule an appointment?
Call or text 949.422.7236 or visit…
www.facebook.com/eagleandpig
www.eagleandpig.com
GET A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT MORE PHOTOS FROM OUR SHOOT W/ DANE
