From Steamboat to Startup: How Robin Hall Is Reinventing Kids Outdoor Gear with Town Hall Outdoor Co.

When her job at Smartwool was relocating to Denver, Robin Hall decided to do something a little wild—stay in Steamboat Springs and build a mission-driven kids’ outerwear brand from the ground up.In this episode, Robin shares the raw, behind-the-scenes story of how Town Hall Outdoor Co. was born: from a career pivot she never planned, to designing gear that actually keeps kids dry, warm, and stoked to be outside.Whether you’re a parent, a brand builder, or someone who’s ever questioned the next big move—you’ll want to hear this.Episode Highlights:Why Robin turned down a corporate relocation to stay rooted in her mountain townThe personal and professional leap from Smartwool to starting a new brandThe early “we’re doing this” moment with her co-foundersHow they discovered white space in the kids' outdoor marketWhy the team built gear based on “KidSumer” feedback, not adult assumptionsDesigning for hand-me-downs, sibling sharing, and fun that lastsRobin Hall: “We weren’t trying to build a brand to scale and flip. We were trying to stay in our town and solve a real problem for our kids.” Robin Hall: “The best thing you can do for the planet is to make something that lasts—and that means gear that doesn’t fall apart after one season.” Becca Babicz: “You make it sound simple—like, ‘Oh, we just decided to start a company instead of moving to Denver.’ But it’s a huge leap.”Sometimes the most meaningful businesses are born out of personal choices, not business plans.The kids' gear market is often overlooked or treated as an afterthought—Robin and her team are proving that it deserves purpose-built design.Involving actual users (kids!) in product development can lead to better, more thoughtful gear.A strong “why” rooted in community and values can sustain a brand through uncertainty and change.Town Hall Outdoor Co.