A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Cabin

If you have read my past blog posts, then you already know that a few weeks ago I decided to take my boys on a spur-of-the-moment road trip. We went up to the North Shore of Minnesota, then down along the southern side of Lake Superior and through Upper Michigan and into Wisconsin until we reached the family cabin on the northeast side of Wisconsin. 

We visited places such as Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Park Point Rec Area in Duluth, Amnicon Falls State Park, Brule River State Forest and the Porcupine Mountain area.

It was a wonderful trip. The sort of trip you hope will give your kids memories for years to come. Skipping rocks, collecting rocks, hiking near waterfalls, singing silly songs, seeing all sorts of wildlife, rainy nights in hotel pools and all three of us accidentally falling asleep in the same bed nearly every night.

While we were traveling, I made a point to take us through the towns of Ironwood, MI and Hurley, WI. I remembered how beautiful the area was from countless ski trips up to that area growing up. I had seen the area many times in the winter, but never in the summer. 

While we were driving through Ironwood, MI, my son Arlo pointed out the window at a statue of a giant hat and said "Grandma Lynn!" Sure enough, it was a statue of a hat my mom wears all the time! A Stormy Kromer! How funny to pass right by that giant hat. I have always had a love for the brand: my dad is an avid outdoorsman of all types - hunting, fishing, skiing, etc. In fact, he grew up in a small town not too far from Ironwood, MI. He is a very practical outdoorsman who would never consider spending more than $30 on a pair of jeans (he has bought his jeans from Fleet Farm for as long as I can remember) and he has always had a Stormy on his head. I have heard him say many times that it is the best hat possible for ice fishing. Warm. Keeps the sun out. Easy to grab on and off. And most importantly, it allows you to cover your ears on an as-needed basis!

Anyways - my dad converted all of my family into Stormy lovers. My mom (and dad) volunteer at a humane society and spend 20-30 hours a week walking dogs. No matter what the weather is -  they walk for hours! My mom has at least 4 Stormy Kromers.

So, of course I pulled in and we bought our first and only souvenirs (besides rocks of course) of the trip! A round of new hats for all!

That night I stalked Stormy Kromer out on social media and found out they were looking for Brand Ambassadors! It seemed a bit fateful that I happened to pass through their hometown at just the right time. So I threw my name into the hat and a little while later I found out I was accepted as a Brand Ambassador!

I have turned down many offers from other companies to act as their rep. To be honest, I am not a big fan of advertising in social media. I try to use Instagram for art, not marketing. This was certainly the first time I asked a company to be their rep!  However, I am already taking photos of everyone in my family with these hats on so it seems logical - and exciting. 

It feels like a wonderful fit already. They don't have a big PR team asking for certain actions or making requirements. In fact, they haven't asked me to do a thing! The only thing they've done so far is offer me free clothes (SO EXCITED - their line is totally my style! I am ordering this poncho right after I write this!) and they sent me the most charming video from the CEO. He made a video specifically to talk to us reps - to tell us he is already proud to have us on the team. He seems so genuine. I am already feeling like I have just become part of a new little family.

I am truly bursting with excitement!  

I have visions of getting the company involved with my community organization, Minnstameets... We can do give-aways and photo-challenges! Who knows what else!? It seems like the possibilities are endless.

 I am also excited to challenge myself in my photography to try take the best possible creative photos for them! I am hoping they like my photos so much they use them for more than just their social media! I am excited to showcase the life of a midwesterner!

And, I have been looking for a few good bags for a long time -so I am hoping to pass on a few ideas on products as well! I have been envisioning the perfect photographer expedition day pack!

So here's to seeing what the next three months as a Stormy Brand Representative bring! Cheers!

xo,

Jill

PS:  All of the photos in this blog post were taken BEFORE I agreed to be a rep! Talk about a natural fit!

To read their post on the Ambassador program, click here!