Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chelsea Hayes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chelsea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The idea for Ebenezer Hats came straight out of my real-life, everyday experiences—especially at church, where my faith and community are at the heart of everything I do. I’ve always loved wearing fedoras, but every Sunday, without fail, I’d go in for a hug with my Pastor or friends and—boom—my hat would pop right off my head. It became a running joke, but honestly, it was frustrating. I’m a hugger at heart, and I just wanted to embrace those around me without worrying about my hat flying off or having to hold it in place.
That’s when the wheels really started turning. I’d already struggled to find hats that fit over my braids and protected my hair, but these little moments—standing in church, hat in hand—made me realize there had to be a better way. The Lord kept putting ideas on my heart, and it felt like every time I prayed about it, I’d get a new download of inspiration for what this business could be.
The real turning point was at my church’s annual conference, Worship at the Border, at the end of 2023. One of the speakers, Bishop Kevin Wallace, preached about how sometimes, the business idea you’re sitting on is just waiting for your “yes”—that God is ready to move as soon as you step out in faith. In that moment, I felt the Lord speaking directly to me. I was so excited, I rushed back to my room and told my friend Tisha that God had nudged me to finally start one of my many business ideas in 2024. Before I could even finish, she looked at me and said, “The hats, right?” That was the confirmation I needed—it was like God was using her to say, “You’re on the right track.”
I knew then that this wasn’t just about hats—it was about serving a community that had been overlooked, creating products that allow people to feel confident, included, and seen. My faith, my love for people, and my lived experience all came together in that moment, and I stepped out with a resounding “yes.” Ebenezer Hats was born from a place of faith, laughter, and a deep desire to make sure everyone can wear a hat that fits both their head and their heart.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Chelsea Hayes, and I’m the founder of Ebenezer Hats—a faith-driven, inclusive headwear brand based in Alamogordo, New Mexico. By day, I work as the Marketing Communications Specialist at our local community college, where I get to use my creativity and passion for connecting with people to serve students and our community. Outside of work, I pour my heart into building Ebenezer Hats, a business that was born out of my own personal journey.
I’ve always loved fashion, but as someone with thick hair and protective styles, I constantly struggled to find hats that actually fit and protected my hair. Every shopping trip ended in frustration, and every Sunday at church, I found myself having to hold onto my hat just to give someone a hug. That personal struggle is what inspired me to create Ebenezer Hats.
Our mission is to serve underrepresented communities—especially women and men with voluminous, textured, or protective hairstyles—by offering stylish, silk-lined hats in truly inclusive sizes. Our wide-brim fedoras and faith-based baseball hats are thoughtfully designed with premium materials, adjustable sizing, and silk linings to protect hair and celebrate every crown.
What sets Ebenezer Hats apart is our commitment to inclusivity, quality, and faith. We’re the first hat company to offer wide-brim fedoras and baseball hats in size 66 cm, so no one has to settle for “one size fits all.” Our products are crafted for people who have been left out of the mainstream conversation—those who want to look and feel good, without sacrificing hair health or confidence.
I’m most excited about the moments when someone tries on one of our hats and lights up—because for the first time, they’ve found something that truly fits them. That’s what keeps me going every day.
For anyone getting to know Ebenezer Hats, I want you to know that this brand is built on love, prayer, and a desire to serve. Whether you’re shopping online, visiting our store, or meeting us at a local event, my goal is for you to feel seen, valued, and celebrated. Every crown deserves to be honored, and every story matters—especially yours.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There’s a saying that “faith isn’t faith until it’s all you’re holding onto”—and that’s felt true for me more than once on this journey with Ebenezer Hats. One story that really stands out happened early on, when I was preparing for my first big production run. I had poured my personal savings into getting the business off the ground, and I was juggling my full-time job as a Marketing Communications Specialist at the community college, building the brand, and handling every detail myself.

Right as I was ready to place my first major order with the manufacturer, I hit a wall: I didn’t have enough sales or funding to meet the minimum order quantity, and it felt like everything was on pause. I remember sitting in my living room, surrounded by hat samples and spreadsheets, feeling overwhelmed and honestly a little defeated. I questioned if I had stepped out too soon or if I was in over my head.

But in that moment, I leaned into my faith and remembered why I started—serving a community that needed to be seen and celebrated. I prayed, regrouped, and started reaching out to my network, sharing the story behind Ebenezer Hats and inviting people to join me on the journey. I hosted pop-ups, talked to everyone I could, and got creative with preorders and incentives. It wasn’t easy—there were late nights, setbacks, and moments of doubt—but I kept moving forward, one step at a time.

Slowly but surely, the support started to build. I saw firsthand that resilience isn’t about never facing obstacles; it’s about showing up, even when things get tough, and trusting that the seeds you plant in faith will grow in their season. I’m grateful for every challenge, because they’ve made the victories—big and small—even sweeter.
If there’s one thing I hope people take away from my story, it’s that resilience is about holding onto your “why,” trusting God’s timing, and refusing to give up on the community you’re called to serve.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Funding a business as a first-time founder can feel daunting, but I knew from the beginning that I wanted Ebenezer Hats to be a community-driven brand. When it came time to produce the very first samples of our silk-lined fedoras, I didn’t have a big savings account or investors lined up—just a vision, a lot of prayer, and a community of people who believed in what I was building.

That’s when I decided to launch a Kickstarter campaign. It was equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking to put my dream out there and invite others to support it. I shared my story honestly—about the struggle to find hats that fit and protect textured hair, and my desire to create something that would serve and celebrate our community. I poured my heart into the campaign video and updates, letting people see both the “why” and the “how” behind Ebenezer Hats.
The response blew me away. Friends, family, church members, and even people I’d never met rallied around the campaign. Every single pledge felt like a vote of confidence—not just in the product, but in the mission. The funds raised through Kickstarter allowed me to order the first round of fedora samples from the manufacturer and start turning my vision into reality.

That experience taught me that when you invite people into your story and lead with authenticity, they’ll show up for you. Ebenezer Hats truly began as a community effort, and I’m so grateful for everyone who believed in the dream from day one and helped make it possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ebenezerhats.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebenezerhats/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebenezerhats
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ebenezer-hats/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ebenezerhats
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/ebenezerhats

Image Credits

No credits needed since they were all taken and edited by me