Hello! I am Shelby Daughenbaugh (Wolever), the owner of this small business. I was born and raised in Northeastern Colorado on my family’s farm and ranch. I then went on to play college volleyball at North Platte Community College in North Platte, Nebraska in the fall of 2015. After that I moved on to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. My dad passed away unexpectedly in 2018. That really rocked our world then & we still miss that man more than anything. Due to that unexpected hardship, I then transferred to Chadron State College to be closer to my family. During the Summer of 2018, I met Ty Milleson of Dunning, NE and we began dating on September 8, 2018. I graduated in May of 2020 with a degree in Family and Consumers Science (online of course thanks to Covid).

Ty and I then got married on August 8, 2020. Life was perfect! Ty helped operate his family's ranch. So, I took on the role of helping him with the ranch wherever I could. I began job searching while I still helped Ty out on the ranch. Ranching is busy and Ty enjoyed having my help on the ranch so he talked me into just being his right hand wo(man). I thought my life was set with ranching with Ty, starting a family, and living my life in the beautiful sandhills of Nebraska. However, on September 18, 2020 Ty and I were in a car accident that took Ty's life and left me in critical condition.

My injuries were extensive, including a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), two severe femur fractures, many broken ribs, and other internal organs getting damaged. I was treated of all my injuries, the worst at the time being my femur, in Kearney, Nebraska for approximately one month. Due to my severe head injury, I was transferred for rehab to a neurological hospital in Englewood, Colorado (closer to home for me).  There at Craig Hospital I recovered for not quite two more months before being sent home. After completing rehab in December of 2020, I moved back in with my mom to do outpatient treatments for my physical and emotional wounds.

Due to the extent of my recovery, it was difficult for me to find a job that would work well with my health problems. In June of 2021 I decided to start Hat Creek Boutique as a way to have a job and also potentially help with my healing. I have always loved boutiques so it was a perfect fit for me. Never did I ever think I would start my own boutique, but here I am!

In 2021 I met a man who was well understanding of my past & my situation & has loved me since, spite my past love, loss, & many wounds. Todd Daughenbaugh & I got married in October of 2023 & have been having the time of our lives since. We did get to welcome our first child & baby boy Dawson Trey in November of 2024. Life has been so much fun watching Todd become a father & having that new addition to our family. 

Life has been a whirlwind for me during the past four years. I have experienced a lot of loss, a little bit of hope, and a lot of love. Love from my community, family, friends, and any stranger. Most importantly the love from our Lord showing me that He saved me that night of our accident for a reason. He has seen me through the tough times and has brought me joy again. Glory be to God for directing me the right way in this life. 

Faith and family are extremely important to me. I would not be where I am today without God's grace and strength. I am grateful for the support of my family and friends that have gotten me here today. I am also extremely grateful for all of the support I have received for my boutique. This is truly a family run business, as many members of my family have volunteered and helped out. If you ever need to talk about grief, I am your girl. If your ever need a new wardrobe, I am also your girl ;) I look forward to serving you with the best products & hope to be of some kind of inspiration to you!

Love,

Shelby Daughenbaugh 

P.S. It's [ d aw f eh n b aw ], just so you know how to pronounce my new last name ;).