Stetson Mansion – Deland, Florida

It was built in 1886 and stands today as a grand testament to the power of collaborative strengths.

It is the Stetson Mansion, “The House That Hats Built”.

John B. Stetson, the owner, was one of twelve children, who learned the trade of hat-making from his father. Sidelined by ill health, he traveled to the West. There, he observed the need for hats that would protect the cowboys and gold miners from the rain. And thus, the iconic Stetson hat was born.

He moved back East to start the Stetson Hat company, and it was quite evident he made more than hats. He made a difference.

John treated his employees with great respect and paid them well. He also connected with business peers and inventors of his time. He created the first salesmen’s samples of his hats, which allowed traveling salesmen to obtain orders in the West without having to carry a plethora of hat box samples everywhere they went. From the old West to Hollywood, his hats defined a period of American history.

In time, he decided to build a home in the South, and so he carved out a spot in the Florida wilderness. There, with the help of a few friends, he designed and built the Stetson Mansion. One friend was Thomas Edison, who personally oversaw the installation of power to the house, one of the first of its kind in the world. His electric panel is still there today, complete with his handwritten tags.

Electric Panel-Stetson Mansion-Thomas Edison-Deland, Florida

John’s friend, Henry Flagler, laid a railroad track to the property so supplies could be brought in for the building.

And then a group of very talented artisans each did their part. Hand-carved woodwork. Handmade nails, as many as 20,000 in one room alone, were forged. Each room showcases unique floor designs, with each piece intricately cut, placed, and nailed into place. Some rooms have dentil moulding, where each tiny piece was carved by hand and nailed into place. One wall of windows was imported from a building being demolished in France and pre-dates the house by about 100 years. Stained glass windows abound, each pane handcrafted.

From the hatmakers to the customers to the inventors to the artisans to the builders, the house is a beautiful testament to what can happen when people collaborate in their strengths. It is the kind of work that stands the test of time.

In more recent years, another round of collaboration took place as gifted artisans and craftsmen came together to refurbish the mansion. The work that would have taken nearly a decade to complete was finished in just over a year.

It would be impossible for one person alone to create such a masterpiece. But, together, hundreds of people pooled their strengths to create a stunning piece of history that stands to this day.

Think about it.

You may be a business person, just as John Stetson was.

You may have honed your craft, just as he did.

You may even have found a unique means to meet the needs of others.

But are you connecting and collaborating with others in their strengths?

You can be a hatmaker. Or you can build a legacy by connecting, collaborating, and showcasing the strengths of others. Which will you choose?

For valuable resources on Leadership Strengths and Tools, click here.

Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after executive coach, mentor, consultant, and speaker worldwide. Deb is well versed in business operations and in the importance of asking key questions most business leaders won’t ask themselves. She brings deep experience in leadership development, strategy, high performance team building and effective communication. She has a passion for leading people to discover and maximize their strengths as well as those of fellow team members, while offering advanced strategies to achieve high performance. Deb is the perfect fit if you’re ready to take your leadership and impact to the next level!