Man, 79, Goes Viral After Unexpected Meeting with Stranger Sparks Twist to His Fish Hat Business (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Robert Kapas and his brother Bill wearing their fish hats.Photo:Robert Kapas

Robert Kapas

It all began with a simple 10-second pitch.

Robert Kapas was sitting in a local mall in Atlanta wearing his homemade fish hat, when a man named Leo (leo.the.introverton social media) stopped to ask about it. Kapas doesn’t actively try to sell the hats he makes. Instead, he simply walks around, hoping the hats will sell themselves — and, in this case, that’s exactly what happened.

“It’s just unbelievable what I’m experiencing,” he says. “My brother, who started this whole thing, would be so proud.”

Robert Kapas and his brother Bill wearing their fish hats.Robert Kapas

He tells PEOPLE that the idea for the company began more than 40 years ago when Bill received a similar hat from his then-4-year-old daughter for Father’s Day. From then on, his brother, who wore the hat every day, became known as “Fish Hat Bill.”

“Last year, when we received the current hat, we knew the design was great and that it was a winner,” Kapas says. “As twins, we were extremely close and fished together often. This project was a lot of fun for two old men.”

“Every day, Fish Hat Bill and I would wear the hats and try to sell them,” he continues. “I’d carry hats with me wherever I went — retail stores, restaurants, doctor’s offices, grocery stores. If someone commented on the hat, I’d say, ‘Let me have 10 seconds of your time.’ Then I’d explain the hat and how the company started. I’d show photos. The first photo is of my twin brother and me wearing the hat. I’d also tell them the importance of the company motto: ‘Enjoy teaching a child the art of fishing.’ "

In January, just two days after returning from a five-day fishing trip together in Florida, Bill died. Hoping to carry on his brother’s legacy, Kapas, who retired from his career in marketing and communications at 76 years old, has taken on the title ofFish Hat Boband is continuing to learn the ins and outs of the business to help build the company.

Now, with the help of Leo’s viral video, Kapas is completely sold out of his first production of 2,500 hats on hiswebsite, with orders flooding in from both the U.S. and internationally. His email inbox is maxed out with requests, and he is currently accepting pre-orders, with more than 800 already placed.

Robert Kapas and his brother Bill fishing together.Robert Kapas

He’s also working on securing a patent for the hat and producing a new color, in addition to the beige and blue hats he currently sells.

“Everybody has people in their family who pass away,” Kapas says. “But when you’re a twin, your relationship with your twin is unbelievably close. And that’s what my brother and I had. I said to my son yesterday, I think he’s up there fishing in heaven now, yelling at me, telling me I’m not working fast enough. I need to ship out the hats quicker.”

“Yes, there are people who think the hat is stupid or a gimmick. But that’s fine,” he adds. “If that’s your opinion, that’s okay. But I have so many more people who love what it represents.”

The next day, Kapas noticed the child kept returning to the booth, always admiring the fish hats. On the third day, after learning that the child didn’t have enough money to buy the hat, Kapas looked at the little one and, without hesitation, handed him a hat.

“I said, ‘You have fun,’ " Kapas recalls with a smile.

A closeup of the fish hats.Robert Kapas

“I said, ‘Oh, okay.’ So, I went to the marina,” Kapas continues. “Anyway, I had given the child the hat, and then I took pictures.”

Robert Kapas holding up a fish.Robert Kapas

Kapas cherishes these moments, in which a small act of kindness creates ripples in ways he never expected. It’s part of why he’s so passionate about his Fish Hat project — not just as a business, but as a symbol of spreading joy and connecting with people in meaningful ways.

Just a few days ago, Kapas went to a gas station, and was filling up his car when he noticed another vehicle next to his. A man was at the pump, but it was the woman in the car who caught his attention. Suddenly, she jumped out, a look of excitement on her face.

“She says to her husband, ‘There he is! It’s Fish Hat Bob, oh my gosh!’ "

source: people.com