From Strangers to Family: My Journey to Becoming a Certified Hat Master

I’m so excited to share that Tracy Delmar Boutique is entering a new chapter—I am officially a Certified Hat Master!

This certification means so much to me personally, but it also means something very exciting for Tracy Delmar Boutique and my customers. Moving forward, I’ll be able to take the knowledge, hands-on training and techniques I learned and bring even more creativity, craftsmanship and personalization to the custom hats I create for you.

There are some experiences that teach you a skill, and then there are experiences that leave a mark on your heart. My three days with Hat Masters Wholesale & Training did both.

I walked through the doors excited, nervous and ready to learn. Three very full, hands-on days later, I walked out as a Certified Hat Master—with new skills, greater confidence, wonderful memories and a community of people I will never forget.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Hat Masters, Mr. Glenn Orms, Parker Orms, Dylan Orms and Kala for making this experience so special.

The knowledge and experience this family shares is incredible, but what impressed me just as much was their willingness to share it. Their patience, encouragement, commitment to teaching and genuine desire to see each of us succeed made this course so much more than simply learning how to shape a hat.

This was truly a hands-on experience. We weren’t just watching someone else work—we were learning by doing. From steaming, shaping, cutting and measuring to working with crowns and brims and learning the details that come from years of experience, we were challenged to use our own hands and develop our own feel for the craft.

There were moments when I struggled, moments when I questioned myself and plenty of moments when I had to try again. Through all of it, there was someone there to teach, guide and encourage me. That patience and mentorship meant more to me than I can put into words.

Mr. Glenn Orms, thank you for sharing the knowledge and craftsmanship that come from a lifetime in this industry. It is an honor to have had the opportunity to learn from someone with your experience.

Parker, thank you for your patience, mentorship and encouragement throughout the course and for helping create an environment where we could learn, ask questions and push ourselves.

Dylan, thank you for sharing your knowledge and for being part of an incredible family and team so committed to helping others grow in this business.

And Kala, thank you for your kindness, support and for being part of what made these three days feel so welcoming.

I am also incredibly grateful for everything surrounding the course—the lunches, our wonderful dinner together, touring the Cow Lot, visiting Hat & Hem, the conversations, laughter and all those little moments in between that turned a training course into an experience I will always remember.

And then there was the Hat Masters community.

People traveled from New Zealand, California, Pennsylvania, Texas and everywhere in between, and somehow, in only three days, a room full of people who began as strangers started to feel like family. We encouraged one another, laughed together, learned from one another and shared an experience that I hope created friendships that will continue long after certification.

We came in as strangers and left as family.

When Thursday arrived, I was surprised by how emotional I felt knowing our time together was ending. The days were long, challenging and fast-paced, but I wouldn’t trade them. I was genuinely sad to leave the people and energy that had surrounded me for those three days.

When I look at my certificate now, I don’t just see the words Certified Hat Master.

I see the hours of preparation that brought me there. I see steam rising from a hat in my hands. I see mistakes that taught me something. I see the people standing beside me and helping me learn. I see new friendships, laughter, nerves, determination and a tremendous amount of gratitude.

Most of all, I see the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Tracy Delmar Boutique.

I cannot wait to take what I have learned and continue creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind custom hats for my customers. Each hat will have its own personality and story, and now I have even more knowledge and craftsmanship to bring those visions to life.

I know that becoming certified doesn’t mean the learning stops—it means a whole new part of the journey is beginning. I am excited to keep practicing, creating, learning and growing with every hat that comes across my table.

To Hat Masters, Mr. Glenn Orms, Parker Orms, Dylan Orms, Kala, my classmates and the entire Hat Masters community—thank you for your mentorship, patience, generosity, knowledge and friendship.

I absolutely loved this adventure. I will carry what you taught me—and how you made me feel—into every hat I create.

With a very full and grateful heart,

Milise Rino
Certified Hat Master
Tracy Delmar Boutique 🤎🤠