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A Cooler Filled with Love: The Heart Behind Our Collaboration

Growing up, love was the heartbeat of our family. My mother’s love was like a light that always shone upon us, creating a home filled with warmth, care, and a deep sense of belonging. That foundation of love shaped who I am today, and it’s something my husband and I strive to carry forward — not just in our family and friendships, but in our small business, too.

Our business has grown into something more than just work. With a factory in Tennessee and another company in California that works closely with us, we’ve created a network that feels like family. We don’t just make premium products; we craft them with passion and purpose. The women at our Tennessee factory, for example, aren’t just employees — they are creators. For them, sewing isn’t just a job. It’s a love, a lost art that they’ve kept alive. They often spend their days off at home sewing, constantly honing their craft and doing what they love.

In California, our team collaborates with us in a way that feels like an extension of that same love. Though separated by distance, we’re united by a shared passion for creating something meaningful. Together, both teams form a community that is as much about connection as it is about the products we create.

One day, a good friend of mine mentioned a local artist I should follow, someone whose work he felt would resonate with our customers and align with the ethos of our business. That artist was Ruben Rojas. When I finally checked out his work, I was immediately captivated. His message of creating a culture of love through art struck a chord deep within me. His artwork radiates joy and speaks to the heart, encouraging others to choose love in their daily lives. His message mirrored what I’ve always believed — the idea that love can be expressed in everything we do.

After hosting a successful customer appreciation event, where we raffled off several one-of-a-kind coolers created by our artisans in Tennessee, we were thrilled by the excitement it generated. This sparked an idea — why not explore more creative and exciting prints and collaborations? The enthusiasm from that event showed us that people value not just the superior functionality of the product but the artistry and meaning behind it.

That’s when the idea came to life: What if the women in our Tennessee factory, who love to sew, could collaborate with Ruben, blending his artwork with our craftsmanship? What if we could create a cooler that isn’t just functional but a true piece of art.

With the support of our California team, this vision is becoming a reality. Together, we are designing a cooler that carries love — a product that serves a practical purpose but also expresses love in every detail and inspires you to do what you love. The cooler will combine the passion of the women who sew it, the collaborative spirit of our teams across two states, and the inspirational beauty of Ruben’s art.

This cooler is more than just something to keep your drinks cold. It is a symbol of unity, creativity, and love. Each piece reflects the story of two teams, from Tennessee to California, working together to bring you a product that carries a message of love from its creation to your hands.

We can’t wait to share this with you.

With Love,
Stefanie Hatch
Owner of American Outdoors and Hatch Manufacturing