GREAT FALLS — Madison Collier introduces you to Rowdy Mood Hat Company in this week’s Montana Made feature - watch the video:
What started as a small talk between friends has become a growing Montana business, one that’s now reaching customers across the country.
For the owners of Rowdy Mood Hat Co., the idea didn’t begin with a formal plan. It started at a bar with a sketch on a napkin.
“We were just sitting at the bar… talking about hats we liked… and we were like, why not start our own hat company?” said co-owner Ty Moody.
That napkin, still saved years later, became the starting point for what is now a small business producing hats entirely in-house.
From idea to reality
The concept stuck with Moody and co-owner Rowdy Hansen, evolving from a casual conversation into something they decided to pursue seriously.
“We kept talking about it… and eventually it turned into Rowdy Mood,” Hansen said.
The company officially launched in June 2024 with modest expectations. Early on, the goal was simple… sell a few hundred hats and see where it went. That goal didn’t last long.
“We didn’t really know what we were doing… but whatever we’re doing, it’s working,” Hansen said.
In less than two years, the company has shipped hats to 46 states, steadily building a customer base both in Montana and beyond.
Built in Montana
Every hat that carries the Rowdy Mood name is made locally, from design to production.
“We buy all the hats blank… and then everything is done in-house,” Moody said. “We stitch it out, put our ropes on it… and send it off. It’s simple, but it’s ours.”
That hands-on process gives the company flexibility to experiment with designs and develop a look that stands out. Their hats often feature bold ideas and a signature rope detail that has become part of the brand’s identity.
“We do some stuff that’s a little risky… but that’s who we are, and people like that.” Hansen said
A family-driven business
While the business continues to grow, its foundation remains rooted in family.
Moody and Hansen are building the company alongside their wives, all while navigating a new chapter of life at home.
“Our family is really close. We’re building this business… and at the same time we’ve got newborns… so it’s a lot, but it’s really cool,” Moody said.
That support system has played a major role in turning an idea into something sustainable.
“I thought it was kind of a crazy idea at first,” said Cassie Moody. “But they put everything they had into it… and it turned into something bigger than we expected.”
Now, the success of the business is something the entire family shares.
“It’s really amazing what it’s turned into,” said Georgia Hansen. “It’s fun now walking around and seeing people wearing the hats.”
Growing beyond Montana
As the brand expands, so does its reach… and its impact.
For Moody, one of the most meaningful moments is seeing someone he doesn’t know wearing one of their hats.
“I’ll never get tired of seeing someone wear our hat… especially when you don’t know them,” he said.
From a sketch on a napkin to a brand reaching customers across the country, Rowdy Mood Hat Co. continues to grow… but the idea behind it remains simple: take a chance, put in the work, and build something that lasts.
While their products are available in stores nationwide, a full list of their designs can be found on their website.
