Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca A. Hahn.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up as Becky Plowman, one of seven kids living in Minnetonka and graduating from Minnetonka High School. As a Junior and Senior I was captain of the girls Volleyball and Basketball team; but my true love was Tennis. Although MHS did not have a girls varsity tennis team in 1972, I and a fellow tennis player convinced the three Physical Ed teachers to campaign for one. It was then looked into and granted for the upcoming 1973 fall season In the meantime we were allowed to play three “extra intramural” meets against Hopkins Eisenhower, Hopkins Lindbergh, and Wayzata. As the main instigator, I would have enjoyed playing on the very first girls varsity team; however because I chose to graduate early (so that I could get a full time job to pay for college,) I found myself at Bemidji State College in the fall of 1973 where I played #1 singles.
Following college I picked up a writing job as a sports columnist for the Sailor Newspapers in the western suburbs. Soon I began branching out to feature writing for that paper as well. For the next few years I entered, and won my fair share of N.W.T.A. (Northwest Tennis Association) tennis tournaments and soon took the entrance exam to become an official U.S.P.T.A. (United States Professional Tennis Association) teaching pro. For the next 40 years I ran the single largest “Professional Public Parks” community tennis programs in the following cities: Minnetonka, Hopkins, Wayzata, Orono, Delano, Mound Westonka, and Eden Prairie. During this time I also hosted a Television show on Cable TV called, “Celebrity Tennis Tips with Becky.” I soon put my marketing skills to work and sent letters to the top Tennis Sportswear companies to ask for a sponsorships for myself and my tennis camps. I landed the following companies, Le Coq Sportif, Foot-Joy and Wilson Sports.
While filming my tennis show, I designed a hair bow that kept my long hair from flying into my face. I hand painted a design on white cotton to match the design on my tennis skirts and dresses that I got from Le Coq Sportif, soon my tennis clientele began to ask “where can I get a bow like the one you wore on your show?” Just like magic, or perhaps good timing, I began designing bows. Alas the launching of a very successful hair accessory company began in 1988, I called it, The Becca Bows Co. As the designer, marketer, and only sales person, I decided to claim the smallest yet most lucrative market, servicing only the “high end” retailers. It seemed to make sense that rather than make a lot of smaller, less expensive bows, I would concentrate on making fewer bows out of better fabrics. After the first 10 weeks I had landed 40 accounts within the Minneapolis market. It was during the beginning of the third year that I hired seven women to continue to construct my designs. I sought out women who were “stay at home Moms” to build our then 8 products. This cottage industry afforded my sewers an income while being able to stay home with their children.
I married in 1982, and in 1985 I gave birth to my first child Natalie, six years later Miles was born. After a couple of years I began to spend a considerable amount of time getting back to one of my favorite hobbies, photography! Under the name, Rebecca A. Hahn I marketed my work by participating in Gallery Exhibitions, which included a two month exhibit at the Minnesota Arboretum in Chanhassen, Minnesota. Going forward it was clear to me that a balancing act would be my modusoperandi, each week I was Becky the tennis pro, Rebecca the Becca Bow designer, and my favorite was, Mom! I began pulling back from the hustle of servicing and maintaining all of my retail accounts and began gravitating into niche markets. At this point it seemed logical to tap into the “Horse Show” market, after all, the women who were competing had to keep their hair out of their eyes and look fabulous doing it. Becca Bows have always been expensive bow to own. The combination of the very finest materials, often lined, and secured to the clip without glue, gave our company permission to claim the highest price points in the industry. Our clips are imported from France, plus the guarantee of the longevity of every bow made us successful. We created elegant bows for women with discerning style. From leather and suede to velvets and sequins, we gave women a reason to want to wear bows again! By concentrating on smaller niche markets in the United States, and limiting our participation in only 6-8 shows a year, I created more time for my family and friends.
As our collection, and my kids continued to grow, I identified another niche market where women had to keep their hair out of their eyes, so I pursued Northwest Airlines and became their official hair accessory supplier for the entire fleet. Throughout all of this I maintained my tennis business as “Becky Plowman-Hahn,” “Rebecca A. Hahn” the designer of the Becca Bows Co. and Rebecca A. Hahn the photojournalist. Eventually, it became too much. For the next 25 years the bows would take a backseat, and my kids, tennis and photojournalism won out.
In 2016 I was paralyzed due to an untreated bought of Guillian-Barre, the French Polio. Despite spending a week at a local hospital in Waconia, MN., I was sent home twice without a diagnosis. Although I couldn’t even lift a bottle of water, and could not walk without touching the walls, the staff told me that there was “nothing wrong with me.” I told them I wasn’t able to get up on my own after a fall. They dismissed me, and sent me home to die. Rather than going home, I asked my husband to take me to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. I was immediately diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, and began the five day treatment. Mayo kept me for an additional five days to record any improvements. I was then told that there was nothing else they could do for me because it was too late. When I asked why it was too late they said that I should have been treated sooner by the previous hospital because GBS needs to be dealt with within the first two weeks, as that is when the bacteria does all its damage to ones nerves. Had the original hospital believed me when I told them that something was really wrong and had hung the bag of plasma necessary to clean my blood, I could have made a recovery of at least 90%.
Months later in 2016 after requesting a copy of my medical report; I learned the original hospital had decided that I was most likely “drug seeking!” So rather than believe me, despite there was nothing in my medical files that even suggested any dependency on any narcotic, they sent me home to die! I spent the next six years in physical therapy trying to “get my legs back.” I once again returned to photography. From 2021 to 2024 I entered and won some International photo contests. Soon I began accepting photography jobs throughout the western suburbs doing family and senior portraits. My crutches proved more useful than just helping me get from one point to the next, they also steadied me to become a human tripod. Shooting wildlife, or anything for that matter was now completely possible, so I began to decorate each pair of crutches, for the fun of it. In the past ten years people here in the states and in Europe, have compliment me on my “festive crutches.” Designing crutches for others, was the next step. I even designed two pair of children’s crutches as a donation that former Minnesota Twins catcher, Joe Mauer and I donated to one of his many charities. So “Beck-Tacular” Custom Crutches became a new division of the Becca Bows Co.” I guess this is what is meant by, “Making lemonade out of lemons?”
For the past 23 years I have also continued producing a 12×12 “Minnesota Wildlife” calendar. Rather than only 13 images per calendar, mine is typically 75-80 professional images, it’s expensive, but it is worth it! In 2020 my fingers began to function well enough to once again dive back into journalism. In 2021 I accepted a position with the Lake Minnetonka Lifestyles Magazine as a photojournalist. And just recently I became a “Backyard Birding Expert” for ABC affiliate KSTP 5, under the name Rebecca A. Hahn, showcasing my wildlife photography and tips for all bird enthusiasts. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with hosts Chris Egert and Megan Newquist along with the staff at “Minnesota Live.” As I begin my 10th year on crutches I remain “Thankful to God” for the many things that I am still able to do. I may not ever play tennis again, or any sport for that matter, but if opportunity comes a knocking, and a door opens, you can bet I am going to walk through it!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As for a smooth road, not being able to walk without crutches, or carry things when I walk has felt more like “pot holes” in the road that I navigate daily. I feel that my determination to “not give up,” has everything to do with my previous life as a competitive USPTA tennis professional and my faith. The way I see it, “I’m playing doubles in a very long tennis match with God as my partner, who won’t let me fail.”
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My background is already covered, as for what I am most proud of, it would be my two kids, Natalie A. Hahn, Director of Fine Gardening at “MOM’S DESIGN & BUILD” and Miles A. Hahn, VICE PRESIDENT at SODERBERG APARTMENT SPECIALIST. As for what sets me apart from others, “It might be my creative spirit, and competitive passion to be the best at whatever I do, while always knowing that I am just a kid who wants to laugh and have fun!”
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I would have to say that I have a secret desire to be discovered by Steven Spielberg, and then hired to do voice over work for characters in Children’s movies, or audio books. The truth is; I love foreign accents and dialects, and can perform them at the drop of a hat. Switching from one character to another just comes naturally, being behind the camera would be my preference. I absolutely believe that allowing oneself to act like a child from time to time, or speak with a British voice one moment and then a French voice the next; puts the carbonation back into my day.
Pricing:
- Becca Bows range between $25-$75 each.
- Rebecca’s calendars $48 each Discounts applied for larger quantities.
- Beck-Tacular Custom Crutches $250 and up.
- Photography prices always vary.
- Journalism, prices vary per assignment per magazine.
Contact Info:
- Website: Rebeccahahnphotography.com
- Facebook: Becky Plowman-Hahn
- Linkedin: Rebecca Hahn
Image Credits
Picture taken of the Minnesota Live hosts with myself taken by Ashley Clemens, Producer for the Minnesota Live program on channel 5, KSTP
Two additional images of myself taken by Natalie A. Hahn
Remaining promotional images, and wildlife images taken by myself, Rebecca A. Hahn
