Our Story
The Story Behind STAEZ
A simple family frustration turned into an idea for smarter headwear.
The Beginning
It Started With a Family Trip to Disney World
Like many families, we loved taking our daughters to Walt Disney World. Those trips were full of magic—meeting characters, riding our favorite rides, and creating memories together.
One day, while we were inside the The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion at EPCOT, exploring the SeaBase Aquarium and looking up at the graceful manatees, I had my sunglasses perched on top of my hat. As I tilted my head back to get a better view, my $180 pair of sunglasses slipped off and fell onto the carpeted floor. They were gone—just like that.
It was a small moment, but it stuck with us.
The Spark
Why Do Sunglasses Keep Falling Off Hats?
Anyone who’s spent time in Florida (or any sunny destination) knows the drill: you push your sunglasses up onto your hat when you step indoors, into a ride, or into shade. But they slide off constantly. Sometimes they get scratched. Sometimes they disappear completely.
That day in the aquarium was one of those times too many. Watching it happen trip after trip, our daughter Sophia turned to us and asked a simple question:
“Why can’t the hat just hold the sunglasses?”
That moment sparked everything.
Why can't the hat hold sunglasses too?— Sophia, Co-Founder's Daughter
Building STÆZ
A Simple Idea, Built the Right Way
We started experimenting with designs that could securely hold sunglasses directly on the hat. The goal was simple: solve a real everyday frustration while keeping the hat looking clean, stylish, and comfortable.
After countless sketches, prototypes, and real-world testing (including plenty more Disney trips), the STÆZ system was born. A patented retention channel design that lets your sunglasses slide in securely and stay put—no clips, no dangling attachments, no more losing them.
A Family Project
Built Together
From the very beginning, STÆZ was never just a product idea. It became a true father-daughter adventure.
Our daughters joined in right away—sitting around the kitchen table sketching ideas, testing colors and materials, and giving honest feedback on what actually worked.
What started as a frustrating little moment in an aquarium turned into a shared family project. One of the most rewarding parts has been watching their confidence and creativity grow along the way.