Family Thread: A Stormy Tale

Episode Summary

Mike opens with the long-running campfire bit he’s done for years—reading the story stitched inside his favorite wool cap—and reveals how that hat (a Stormy Kromer) unexpectedly braided into his family’s own story. Joining Mike and Caitlin are Tim “GT” Dodge (co-founder of Hansen Dodge, the agency that helped relaunch the brand) and special guest Bob Jacquart, who revived and now stewards Stormy Kromer from Ironwood, Michigan. Together they trace the cap’s railroad roots, Ida Kromer’s crucial stitch, the Milwaukee relaunch, small-town factory pride, and the way one simple hat keeps showing up in hunting camps, weddings, and meet-cutes. It’s a nesting-dolls episode about craft, community, and family.

Chapters

00:21 Intro + Mike’s Yellowstone hat story

The line inside the brim: who was George “Stormy” Kromer—and why Ida matters

Bob’s origin story: buying a discontinued product and rebuilding a brand

From “grandpa’s hat” to 1,700 SKUs: growth, fabrics, and licensing (hello, collegiate caps)

Factory tours, pasties, and Made-in-Michigan pride

The Hansen Dodge pivot: naming, story, and trademarking “Stormy Kromer”

First Lite partnership & the outdoor community

Family threads: Gina leading the company; heirloom repairs; the church hat vs. work hat

Field tales: the Rancher-as-rifle-rest mishap, Caitlin’s wolf-program mittens, and one lonely Milk Dud

Closing thoughts + open invite to tour the Ironwood factory

Guests

Bob Jacquart — Chairman, Stormy Kromer (Ironwood, MI)

Tim “GT” Dodge — Co-founder, Hansen Dodge (brand relaunch partner)

Caitlin Ruhl — Biologist, outdoorswoman, and frequent Outdoor Ruhls co-host

Highlights & Takeaways

The real hero stitch: Ida Kromer’s modification of a baseball cap for her railroad-engineer husband birthed a century-old cold-weather classic.

Brand resurrection 101: Story > product > distribution. A local sewing shop + a great narrative + thoughtful trademarking turned a discontinued cap into a thriving American-made brand.

Community impact: Factory tours, local lunches, and Made-in-Michigan pride keep dollars—and dignity—in small towns.

Gear that lives a life: From wedding vests to backcountry hunts, SK pieces become family artifacts (and sometimes get bullet-adjacent scorch marks).

Gear & Products Mentioned

The Original Stormy Kromer Cap (the “hat with the story”)

The Rancher (Mike’s well-loved, slightly singed version)

Ida Kromer styles (Caitlin’s go-to, ponytail-friendly)

Stormy Kromer mittens (work-palm hybrids Caitlin used on wolf surveys)

First Lite x Stormy Kromer collaboration

Resources & Links

Stormy Kromer — brand, factory store, and free public tours (Ironwood, MI)

Hansen Dodge — brand relaunch partner behind the “hat with the story” positioning

Outdoor Ruhls favorites: caps, mittens, and ranch wear featured in this episode

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Pull Quotes

“I didn’t buy the name at first—I bought a discontinued hat. The story came next.” — Bob

“There is no Stormy Kromer story without Ida.” — Caitlin

“A frosty head only looks good on beer.” — classic SK line remembered by Mike

Credits & Contact

Hosted by Mike Ruhl with Caitlin Ruhl and Tim “GT” Dodge. Special thanks to Bob Jacquart and the Stormy Kromer crew in Ironwood.

Website: OutdoorRuhls.com

Instagram/Facebook: @outdoorruhls

Email: [email protected]