Meet Kyle “Cutter” Nickerson | Owner/Maker of Cutter Paul

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kyle “Cutter” Nickerson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kyle “Cutter”, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I was originally pursuing a career as a winemaker before I got into hatmaking. In 2017 I moved out to western Colorado to help some friends out with a newly acquired 20 acre vineyard and to gain more experience in viticulture. One day a guy I had just met invited me to a cookout, being a new member of this little town and not knowing many people I decided to go. As soon as I arrived I noticed a guy wearing a cool hat, Ive always been into hats, so I walked up to him and introduced myself. When I asked him where he got his hat he responded, “I made it.” My literal response was, “huh?”
Charlie was a hatmaker for a company in Aspen before moving to Paonia to start his own business and was building out a shop in his garage to get started. I offered to help him out in my free time in exchange to just see how a hat is made and quench this thirst of curiosity.
After a few weeks of helping Charlie here and there in my free time outside the vineyard he asked me if I’d like to make my own hat as compensation for my help… I had never been more excited!
I made this first hat under the watchful eye of Charlie and proceeded to wear it on all of my winemaking gigs around the world Italy, South Africa, etc..
And during these gigs I would get approached often to a question, “where did you get that hat?!” and my response with a smile was, “I made it.”
It was as if the universe was giving me a little nudge and trying to tell me something but I was so immersed in my wine career that it was easy to say, “some day.” Well the idea of ‘Some Day’ abruptly changed on July 23rd 2020 after being hit by a drunk driver and surviving a near fatal motorcycle accident. A cast on both arms and not knowing if I’d be able to use my right hand again really got me viewing life from a different lens.
One promise I made to myself if my hand worked again was to finally pursue my love for hatmaking. After a long road of recovery, I made it out with two working hands, and Cutter Paul was born.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I make custom Handmade Bespoke felt hats with the highest quality felt to ensure true Heirloom Quality.

What sets my craft apart from most hats is the custom handmade authenticity of my process. Each hat is made with my two hands and specifically formed to the exact shape of the clients head to make it specific to their head shape.

Hatmaking is not an easy trade to get into. The hatmaking community was a “closed door” community when I first began my search for knowledge and experience. Even though the craft of hatmaking historically has been a master/apprentice scenario I found it very challenging to find a mentor in the beginning. I reached out to Hatters all over the country offering to work for free in exchange for a little experience. I was turned away over and over and over. I finally found a few hatters willing to let me spend time in their shop (for $$$ of course) and this is where I did everything I could do to get my moneys worth in the form of questions and hands on experience. I still didn’t feel totally confident in my abilities even after the two brief apprenticeships but I hit a crossroads that I believe every creative/entrepreneur faces… you either go for it or you don’t. There is no “perfect time” to take that leap but if you believe in yourself and lead with love and good intention, the odds are in your favor. So I went for it.

I had to overcome many challenges through the launch of CP and to be honest still am. Striving for diligence in your craft means you are always working to improve a little everyday. Looking back on the initial setup of the business is a bit nerve racking.. website, LLC, logo, brand identity, material sourcing, equipment, social media.. the list goes on and on.. I just tried my best to focus on one thing at a time. It was the moments when I thought of everything all at once that it became crippling and made me question If all this was worth it. All of the noise of running your own business fades away when my client picks up the handmade hat I made specifically for them. This is where I find meaning in what I do, It is a special moment.

I have learned many lessons across the board with my business. I can geek out on all the hatmaking tricks of the trade I’ve learned (mostly as a result of a mess up) as well as the ins and outs of running a small business. I would say the biggest lesson I’ve learned on the hatmaking side is just to believe in yourself and don’t take things too seriously. Also, success doesn’t happen over night. I remember a quote I read once that I constantly revisit, ” The fastest way to get to where you want to be is slowly.” On the business side of things my biggest lesson is to ASK FOR HELP. You are not born with the basic knowledge of running your own business, there are many resources out there to help small businesses like the SBDC to help with everything from setting up an LLC to legal advice and accounting.

“Living proof of a dying breed” is my company motto. It stems from a place of Love and Good Intention in what you do. Slowing down and doing things with your hands to create an heirloom quality piece of Art. Handmade over Mass production. Life is a Gift and its not too late to create the Life you have always dreamed of.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The week would consist of an abundance of Vino, Food, Music, Art, Motorcycles and Mountains.

Vino- would mostly be consumed from my personal cellar in beautiful places but would definitely hit up a few of my favorite wine shops around town. Small Batch, Denver Wine Merchant, Mondo Vino to name a few. Noble Riot is a must.

Food- Satchels on 6th, Tavernetta, Spuntino, Cart Driver, Mi casa (I love to cook).

Cocktails- My Boy Tony, Hey Kiddo, ESP Hifi

Music- Denver Botanic Gardens, Red Rocks, Lincolns Roadhouse, Nocturne

Moto- Love to ride into Golden and cruise Clear Creek Canyon to Idaho Springs for a soak.

Montains- Camping trip in the Leadville area

Art- Afternoon at the Denver Art museum

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 am so grateful for the many people that have given me support, guidance, and Love on my journey to launching Cutter Paul. One person in particular is my dear friend, Katie DeHart.

When I was laid up with two broken arms after my accident and in serious doubt about losing my right hand, Katie came over to my bedside and said this, “Before I tell you this just know its already happening and there is nothing you can do about it.. We are putting together a fundraiser to raise money for your hatmaking equipment for “when” your hand works again not “If”,

In this moment with tears in my eyes I changed my mental dialogue to “when” not “If” and fully believed I would heal and have a second chance at my hatmaking dream.

Thank you Katie and everyone at that time who helped with my recovery as well as the fundraiser. The money raised was my initial down payment for my first set of hat blocks.

Website: https://www.cutterpaul.com

Instagram: @cutterpaul_

Image Credits
Ryane Rose @thewoodlandwolf
Isabel Henry @isabelhenryphoto
Joe Freemond @jfreemond
Jake Greenbaum @j.greenbaum.photo
KaSandra Mitchell @thehumblelion_
Cutter Paul @cutterpaul_