MISSION VIEJO, CALIF. (RFD NEWS) — Robin Hoffman Haack has built a career at the intersection of textiles, fashion, and the Western lifestyle. Raised on the Southern California coast and deeply rooted in the horse industry, Hoffman Haack is now the founder and CEO of LOVLEI Ranch, a Western lifestyle clothing brand.
Robin joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to share a little bit about her story, family business, and her longer conversation with Kirbe Schnoor on an upcoming episode of Dirt Diaries: The
FarmHER + RanchHER Podcast.
A Family Rooted in Surf Culture
Hoffman Haack grew up in Southern California, where her family’s textile business helped shape surf culture. Her father started working with surfing companies through the family’s textile business, Hoffman Fabrics, which designed and printed textiles for brands throughout the surfing industry.
“My dad was instrumental in starting it back in the 50s and then onward from every brand you pretty much ever heard of in the surf world,” Hoffman Haack said.
Her own connection to horses began when she was nine years old after visiting a horse stable with a friend of her father’s.
“I fell in love, and I told my parents I wanted a horse and I wanted to compete,” she said.
She began training and eventually became involved in the professional cutting-horse industry and showing horses during the 1980s and 1990s. Although she has not shown horses in about 20 years, Hoffman Haack said she had a great deal of fun and success during that time.
From Textiles to LOVLEI Ranch
After her time in the cutting horse industry, Hoffman Haack joined the family textile business. She began working at the company’s headquarters in 1995, eventually becoming CFO and later an owner.
The family had discussed creating a brand for years, but Hoffman Haack eventually decided it was time to move forward. Her Western background naturally became part of the brand.
“All my Western friends were like, when are you going to do some Western stuff?” Hoffman Haack said.
Her designer, who had experience working with different brands including Ralph Lauren, encouraged her to incorporate the Western lifestyle into the brand.
The brand now has a Dallas showroom and sells to boutiques across the United States, Canada and Australia.
Hoffman Haack also connected with Kirbe Schnoor, who became involved with LOVLEI Ranch, and working with Kirbe has brought together two generations and different perspectives to the partnership.
“She’s so great and her and I, you know, we’re very close,” Hoffman Haack said.
She said their different generations bring something special. Hoffman Haack has maintained a lifelong interest in prints and said the brand is focused on helping women feel confident and bold.
“We’re all about developing prints,” she said. “I feel prints bring out your joy and make you feel good.”
Following Your Dreams
Despite her experience as a business leader, Hoffman Haack said she never set out to inspire other women. She credits her family and her father’s entrepreneurial example for shaping her approach to business.
“I never thought of myself that way,” she said. “I just, I guess, was born into it and just my background of my dad always being an entrepreneur. My grandfather, I never knew anything different.”
For those just learning about her brand and story, Hoffman Haack hopes they take away a simple message: “Just to go after their dreams, follow their heart, and do what they love,” she said.
Robin Hoffman Haack’s upcoming episode of Dirt Diaries drops next Tuesday, Sept. 15, on all podcast platforms, the FarmHER + RanchHER YouTube Channel, or you can listen to new episodes on Saturdays and Sundays on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 143.
CHECK IT OUT: lovleiranch.com
