Meet Steve Ingard, Co-Founder of Brims
We had the good fortune of connecting with Steve Ingard, Co-Founder of Brims.
Hi Steve, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial drive and knew I wanted to create something of my own. While my high school friends were getting jobs at the local grocery store, I took a different route and started a junk removal business, helping neighbors clear out clutter.
As adults, Tommy and I constantly brainstorm ideas, searching for something that fills a gap in the market and sparks our excitement.
I’m almost always wearing a bucket hat, especially at events where I end up on the dance floor and working up a sweat. One late night, Tom suggested, ‘Why not cut the top off that bucket hat for better airflow?’ And just like that, Brims was born.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As we’ve mentioned before, this was a late night idea that turned to a real life product. Our unique headwear is obviously a differentiator by itself in the marketplace, but I think our slogan takes it a step further. At Brims, we specialize in two things: unique headwear and having a good time. We provide more than just headwear to our customers. We have actually been hearing from our customers that “it’s impossible to have a bad time in a brim”. It is a real head turner, so you can express yourself, but also dance like no one is watching.
We are most proud of our streetwear collection. Each piece in the collection is meticulously designed, sourced, and manufactured in Los Angeles. This not only brings a local flavor to our brand but also allows us to collaborate closely with other local businesses and entrepreneurs.
We have also tried to have a focus on using deadstock fabric when sourcing material. This is fabric that is leftover and not used in a production run or was discontinued by a brand. Using deadstock is not only environmentally friendly, but it also provides that limited edition feel so our customers can stay unique.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Great question! So much to see, do and eat in LA but so little time. Pacific ocean is always a top priority for us with visitors in town since we grew up in the Midwest and East Coast. It’s mandatory to show visitors the best ocean on the planet. Probably start out with a trip down to Venice beach to do some people watching and check out the eclectic group of street vendors. Then take a lil cruise up the PCH to visit the Getty Villa (who doesn’t love a free museum?!) and cap off the evening with a trip up to Malibu and a nice dinner at Taverna Tony.
Day 2 with a trip to the Fashion District to see where all the Brims magic happens. One fun activity to do while in the Fashion District is to create a new wardrobe with a budget of $100. And if we’re already on that side of town why not head a little further East to Alhambra for some authentic Chinese food at Lunasia Dim Sum house. On our way back West, perhaps a stop at Laugh Factory for some late night roar. If still hungry on our way back home—you’d find us at any of the many street taco vendors in LA.
One of the coolest things we’ve done in LA is being a part of a live studio audience for a game show. Spending a good chunk of the day in Culver City before heading back up North in the evening and perhaps a little happy hour at En Sushi in Sawtelle?! Yes please. We’ve covered quite a bit of ground to this point and think an evening of leisure and relaxation will be in store for us before a big weekend ahead.
Friday is a great day to take the e-bikes down to Manhattan Beach to enjoy a nice boardwalk cruise for miles on end. Then cap the afternoon in the South Bay with a little lunch at Shellback Tavern. From there head back up North as we like to enjoy a couple cold ones at everyone’s favorite dive bar: Tiny’s Hi Dive.
The options are endless for a Saturday. Start with a recovery breakfast at Cafe Belen right down the road from us. Then might hit the beach for some volleyball with friends, or take a complete 180 and market our brims at the local watering hole.
We like to keep our Sundays wholesome and nothing better than a trip to the Getty Museum right up the street (also free and also awesome). Take in some art and some fabulous views of the city. Then finish off the weekend with a little evening hot yoga.
If you’re not sold on LA after that week, we could run it back with a completely new agenda. LA truly has it all.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a shoutout to the The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. A friend of ours suggested that we give it a read and I honestly feel like my outlook on life hasn’t been the same since.
The Alchemist tells the story of Santiago, a shepherd who dreams of finding treasure and embarks on a journey from Spain to Egypt. Along the way, he learns about resilience, self-discovery, and the importance of pursuing one’s unique path. The novel emphasizes that true treasure is often found within, encouraging readers to listen to their hearts and follow their dreams.
For an entrepreneur launching a creative clothing brand, The Alchemist offers a powerful metaphor. Like Santiago, entrepreneurs need to trust in their “Personal Legend” or unique calling, pursuing it with passion and resilience. Coelho’s story reminds us that the rewards of staying true to our dreams can far outweigh the challenges. This perspective is a strong guide for anyone building something unique, especially when faced with uncertainty or doubt.
Website: toplessbrimwear.com
Instagram: @Topless_brimwear
Source: Shoutout LA
