About Us

Sauce Headwear, formerly called SOS Headwear, was started in 2003 by four Canadian cross country ski racer as a method to raise money to support their Olympic dreams. Shayla Swanson, Kim McMurtry, Jacqui Benson and Rhonda Jewett came up with the unique fundraising idea of producing stylish yet functional toques. After a very sucessful first year, their fundraising scheme has developed into a small business. Now in their sixth year, Shayla and Rhonda continue to manage the production, marketing and sales of Sauce Headwear products. Shayla is a member of the Canadian National Ski Team while Rhonda races on the Alberta World Cup Academy. Both pursue their goal of competing on home soil at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Rhonda Jewett Rhonda has always been a natural entrepreneur and oversees the business side of Sauce Headwear. Rhonda had her first set of skis strapped onto her feet shortly after she started walking. She entered her first ski race when she was 5 years old and has been in love with the sport ever since. Rhonda was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta and is a member of the Foothills Nordic Ski Club. She now lives in Canmore, Alberta with her husband Gord and recently completed her Bachelor of Science degree in the field of Geophysics.

Shayla Swanson Shayla has been hooked on sewing and designing clothing ever since her first home economics class in grade 7. Her sewing projects have included canvas bags, sleeveless tops, blouses and of course, hats. Shayla realized early on that her zeal for sewing was inversely related the number of identical items she had to make. One hat was exciting! 300 identical hats - not so exciting! When 'Shayla on Skis' found 3 teammates who were willing to help with production she was delighted. Since those early days in the Canmore living room, SOS Headwear has found a fabulous Canadian manufacturer to take care of production. Shayla manages production and design of SOS products from her home in Bozeman, Montana. Along with her pursuits in the field of exercise physiology, Shayla is still pursuing her goal of competing in the Olympics for cross-country skiing.