Tyler Bonine shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Tyler, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Who are you learning from right now?
These days, my best teachers are my daughters. My youngest, who has cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities, loves in a way that’s pure and unshakable. She teaches me something new, everyday. My oldest is the sweetest, most determined kid I’ve ever met. Every day they show me what strength, kindness, and perseverance really look like.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Patch Hats started two years ago, born out of a desire to be home more with my two young daughters. At the time, my corporate job had me traveling four days a week, and I knew that wasn’t the life I wanted for my family. I began with woodworking — my first passion — but quickly realized it couldn’t fully support us. So I tapped into other creative loves: design, apparel, hats, and eventually, unique and often custom gifts and promotional materials.
What makes us special is the way we work with our customers. We don’t just sell them what we think they want — we create what they truly want. Every project is a collaboration, resulting in something completely unique to them. Right now, we’re especially excited about launching our very own line of performance waterproof hats, manufactured exclusively for Patch Hats. It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re just getting started.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Without a doubt, my wife has shaped the way I see myself more than anyone else. From the very beginning, she’s encouraged me to follow my dreams and aim higher than I ever thought possible. It hasn’t always been easy — we’ve had to make some tough decisions along the way — but she’s been there through every step, cheering me on and pushing me forward. Every pivot we’ve made as a business, every new challenge we’ve taken on, she’s been the driving force behind it all. Her belief in me has given me the confidence to keep reaching for more.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
This is a tough question, because my family has faced some of the hardest moments I could ever imagine. Early on, my wife and I lost a child. My oldest daughter was born at just 25 weeks, and at the same time, my wife’s life was in danger. Six years later, our youngest daughter came into the world even earlier — 23 weeks and a few days. Every single day was a battle, a life-or-death situation, and those experiences left wounds that cut deep.
The truth is, those wounds never really go away. They’re always there, not as something to dwell on, but as a constant reminder of what we’ve survived and why we keep pushing forward. They’ve shaped me into someone who values every moment, fights for what matters, and doesn’t take a single day for granted.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to believe there was nothing more important than wealth. Back then, I thought it meant racing to the top and making as much money as possible. Over time, my definition of wealth completely changed. Life — and business — have taught me that while making money is important, true wealth is about the bigger picture.
For me, it’s about relationships, trust, and doing right by people. Sometimes that means taking a loss on a job if it helps someone out. More often than not, those moments come back around because you’ve built something far more valuable than a quick profit — you’ve built trust. And that’s the kind of wealth you can’t put a price on.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I would protect family time like it was sacred. In the early years of running a business, it’s so easy to blur the lines between work and home, always answering that one more email or taking that one more call. But if I only had a decade left, I’d make sure family time was truly family time — uninterrupted, fully present, and focused on the people who matter most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Patch-hats.com
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/boardandblockco
- Other: Other website:
Boardandblockco.com
