By Sam Ramos
Stick Hunters didn’t start in a boardroom. It started with a feeling and a dream of a different kind of childhood for my family.
When I found out I was expecting my first child, I did what many new parents do: I went shopping. But scrolling through boys’ clothing left me uninspired. Everything felt predictable: dinosaurs, trucks, loud slogans. Nothing reflected the lifestyle my husband, Fabio, and I imagined for our child: one shaped by nature, sandy feet, salty skin, and long days outdoors. That feeling stayed with me. Why couldn’t boys’ clothing be softer, simpler, and more timeless? Why couldn’t it reflect real childhood?
At the time, I was working as an architect, balancing a demanding career with motherhood. The idea of creating my own brand lived quietly in the background until my second child arrived. When COVID slowed the world down, I enrolled in an online business course, more out of curiosity than certainty. That small step became the beginning of Stick Hunters.
The name came during a lockdown family walk. Gus and Otto were busy collecting sticks and throwing them into the water for Margot, our chocolate Labrador, to chase. Watching them play, Fabio and I realised that this simple moment outdoors, unstructured, joyful, captured everything we believed childhood should be. Stick Hunters felt like the perfect fit. From the beginning, I knew what I wanted the brand to look like, but more importantly, I knew what mattered.
With two boys, and Otto mostly wearing hand-me-downs from Gus, I quickly noticed which clothes lasted and which didn’t. Some garments survived endless washing and rough play; others didn’t make it past a season. That experience shaped the foundation of Stick Hunters: clothing designed to last, not just for one child, but to be passed down to siblings, cousins, and friends’ kids.
Quality, sustainability, and slow consumption became non-negotiables. We use certified organic cotton for our tees and bodysuits, recycled polyester for our boardshorts, and sustainable packaging wherever possible. The philosophy is simple: buy less, buy better.
If we encourage our kids to play outdoors, then the planet they play on needs protecting, so future generations can enjoy the same freedom. Books like Balanced and Barefoot also influenced how Fabio and I were raising our boys. Outdoor play, movement, and independence became core values in our home and naturally flowed into the brand.
Stick Hunters’ designs are inspired by real places and real experiences: beaches, playgrounds, pump tracks, skateparks, and bushland, but also fishing, jumping in puddles, climbing rocks, and playing with open-ended nature toys.
Every piece reflects the kind of upbringing we want for Gus and Otto: grounded, adventurous, and full of movement. The final design of each piece is shaped by our whole family, with real-life wear testing and the boys’ voices influencing colour choices and design details along the way.
Our first real step into the world came through weekend markets in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. With a small stall, two kids in tow, and Margot never far away, we showed up not knowing what to expect. I’m not naturally a “people person,” so talking directly to customers felt nerve-wracking at first. But markets quickly became an unexpected gift.
Stepping away from my career in architecture wasn’t a sudden leap; it was the natural consequence of a brand that had outgrown spare hours. Working full-time on Stick Hunters became a dream come true, allowing me to juggle a growing business with school drop-offs, pick-ups, and family life.
As the business continued to grow, we began looking ahead. Moving to Australia wasn’t an overnight decision. It was driven by a desire to expand into a larger market and experience something new in a warmer climate. Fabio and I are originally from Brazil and have lived in multiple cities across Australia and New Zealand before settling in Tauranga, NZ – moving is simply part of our DNA. Hervey Bay quickly felt like home.
Starting fresh meant listening again. Joining Markets at the Pier, we fell in love with the sense of community, the amazing stallholders, and the friendly team that welcomed us from the very beginning. It became the perfect place to connect, learn, and grow in a new market. The warmer climate brought a pleasant surprise, our hats quickly became bestsellers.
Then came the question we heard again and again: Do you do adult hat sizes? Today, Stick Hunters offers hat sizes for the whole family, from babies through to adults, and they’ve become one of our most loved products.
Now proudly based in Hervey Bay, Stick Hunters continues to grow, slowly and intentionally. We’re expanding our hat collection, introducing beanies for cooler months, and releasing more playful printed shirts for kids.
Stick Hunters isn’t just about clothing. It’s about protecting childhood, encouraging outdoor play, and creating quality products that last—built by our family, for families.
Photos by Madison Tace Photography
