Other Women's Jobs // A Day In The Life And Career of Val Stosic

NAME: Val Stosic

AGE: 47

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @brontewoodsofficial

JOB TITLE:

Founding Designer & Hatelier

MOVED TO THE UAE IN: 2016

Val is the founding designer and “Hatelier” of BRONTE WOODS, a luxury, owner-managed brand producing hats and accessories for men and women, based in Dubai, UAE.

Her designs and collections offer a fresh and innovative take on the iconic Panama hat, handcrafted leather boots, and unique accessories. Each piece is created to celebrate personal style and facilitate a seamless transition from outdoor adventures to evening events, drawing inspiration from nature, travel, life stories, and Val's desert surroundings.

Born and raised in Australia, Val cultivated a deep appreciation for the outdoors during her early life, filled with cherished memories of swimming at Bronte Beach with my father and exploring the woods. These experiences ignited her passion for hats, which not only served as a stylish accessory but also provided essential protection from the harsh Australian sun.

Val's journey with hats began in her teenage years when her father gifted her an iconic, handcrafted Australian hat, marking the start of a lifelong love affair with headwear. Throughout her life, hats became a staple accessory, seamlessly blending functionality with flair and establishing her signature style. By Val's early 20s, she had developed a keen understanding of what constitutes a great hat versus a poorly made one, alongside an appreciation for quality natural fiber products and craftsmanship. For much of her life, she dreamed of changing careers and becoming a hat maker. In 2022, she embarked on a transformative journey, inspired by a life changing event to leave her successful 25+ year corporate career and pursue her passion for hat making and design. Val retrained as a “Hatter,” honing her skills in Italy.

Establishing BRONTE WOODS was about more than just designing and creating high quality hats; it was about building global partnerships and assembling a team of weavers, leading experts, niche artisans, and traditional producers; many of whom possess generations of expertise in their craft. Val's dedication to sustainability, fair work practices, and quality craftsmanship is woven into the fabric and DNA of BRONTE WOODS, where every piece is crafted from high quality, natural, and eco conscious materials whenever possible. Launching in Dubai in October 2024, BRONTE WOODS made an immediate impact, with the debut collection selling out by mid December 2024. Since then, two additional collections have sold out, indicating a warm and welcoming reception for the brand in the UAE.

Since launch, Val has cherished each moment spent helping existing hat wearers find and fit their next beloved hats, as well as assisting those who have previously said, “I’ve never found the right hat” or “hats don’t suit me,” when they try on her products and discover the perfect-fitting quality hat. Val truly believes the right hat can be life-changing for one’s personal style.

Driven by her moral compass and guided by strong values, Val and her brand are committed to creativity, quality, and the celebration of nature. Each product tells a story while celebrating personal style.

Val's journey is a testament to her willingness to embrace change and follow her dreams, a narrative that resonates with many and continues to fuel her passion for creating timeless headwear and accessories that stand out for their quality and modern designs.

Join Val on this journey and discover the art of handcrafted sustainable luxury and style at: www.brontewoodsofficial.com

Today let's discover a day in the life and career of Val:

4-5AM: Start of my day. I begin my day with a quick check-in with my production and weaving team in South America. Together, we work through any issues, finalise styles and designs, and make operational decisions. This ensures that our night shift team has clarity in production and that all issues are resolved promptly.

Completing each collection can take 3 - 5 months, so managing and supporting my team is essential to ensuring that every handcrafted collection is finished to perfection.

6AM: Household Morning Routines. I wake up the family and dive into our morning routine: showers, breakfast, school prep, and, of course, that much needed cup of coffee. My boys are older and self sufficient, so we usually catch up in the morning, discussing the school day ahead and any commitments for the day. I also try to ensure everyone is out on time, which can be a challenge some mornings, given the teenage hormones!

7AM: Self-Care & Balance. If I’m not doing the school run, I take time for self care and exercise, which can vary from a morning swim or walk to stretching or writing in my journal.

8AM: Family, Operations & Working Efficiencies. Next, I check in with family back home. I then review my emails, prioritise my day, organise my to do list, and review online orders.Following that, I catch up on social media and industry news. I like to stay informed about key developments and trends in our world and industry across the globe.

I also scan the many WhatsApp channels related to school, sports, personal matters, and business groups. I extract relevant key information while contemplating whether I truly need to be in each group (I know you understand this dilemma). I often close down groups post events or exit those that no longer serve a purpose for me, as I strive to “quiet the noise.” Time is incredibly precious to me. I have never experienced "fear of missing out," so I don’t feel compelled to be part of every group or channel. Frequently, I reflect on my favourite and dearest uncle Bob, who has run a successful business and managed his family without ever having a mobile phone. He has never missed an event or important meeting simply because he chose not to be tied to technology.

While I would love to adopt a similar approach, it’s not entirely feasible for me. Instead, I focus on balancing how many commitments I take on and questioning whether I genuinely need to be involved. If someone truly needs me or my input, they will reach out regardless.

Some days, you’ll find me heading to a photo / content shoot. 

9AM: In the Studio. I start my day by preparing orders, which includes shaping and packaging the hats, assembling our large hat boxes, and preparing delivery requests.I also conduct a weekly physical stock take, especially after pop up events, to ensure that our stock matches all key data sources, such as the website and other inventory systems.

During this time, I review key metrics and take note of anything that needs my attention.

10AM: Meetings. My schedule typically fills with meetings both online and in person varying each day and week. I try to fuel my energy for the day with a snack and remind myself to drink water and stay hydrated.

11AM: Continuing Meetings. I’m usually still in meetings at this hour, hopefully ordering a second coffee (are you noticing a pattern?) while trying to drink that water. I also keep an eye on any incoming orders before the 12 PM daily cutoff and ensure they are processed.

12PM: Partner and Supplier Catch-up. I use this time to connect with key partners and suppliers, as we often work across different time zones.

1PM: Lunchtime. Lunchtime can vary; sometimes I have a quick desk lunch, a business lunch, or I spend time catching up with dear friends and colleagues. It’s a valuable moment to unplug.If I’m at my desk, I review socials & messages whilst listening to a podcast.

2PM: Strategy Time. I dedicate this hour to strategy, reflecting on the day’s key learnings, adjusting our strategic direction, and planning the implementation of new ideas. I take a step back to look at the broader picture, ensuring alignment between our brand vision and the actual operational requirements for the present and future.

4-6PM: Quality Time with My Boys. I enjoy quality time with my boys during this period, encompassing school pickups, tournaments, family meals, and helping with homework, as well as taking them to their squad training sessions.

6-8PM: Back to the Hat Studio. I typically block out this time for creative work, which may include design work, colour testing, hat shaping, and exploring innovation and new ideas.

Before the day ends, I capture actions for the following day to ensure a smooth start.

8-10PM: Sports Pickups and Family Time. During this time, I focus on sports pickups, which provides valuable opportunities to catch up with my family. We discuss our day, share dinner, and handle any last minute homework revision.

Occasionally, I step out for business dinners, networking events, or to catch up with family and friends.

10-11PM: Team Check-in. I check in with my team in South America during this hour. Given our different time zones, this morning call for my team is crucial for staying aligned.

Bedtime Routine: As part of my bedtime routine, I select my clothes for the following day. Although I’ve left the corporate world, this 25+ year habit is hard to kick, especially since it serves me well and helps me be more efficient the next day.