Vegas is a city built on stories. Each corner has memories etched into neon lights, vintage signs, and buildings from eras long past. Capturing this nostalgic spirit is exactly what Holly Vaughn, the creator behind Battle Born Pins, does best.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Holly’s passion for the city’s rich history shines through each pin she creates. It all started with the Huntridge sign—an icon representing her personal Vegas memories. Friends and locals quickly caught on, eager for pins commemorating the Stardust, Dunes, and even the famous CAT Bus. Holly meticulously crafts each design, tracing beloved Vegas landmarks and vintage signs digitally before transforming them into collectible pins.
Holly’s pins aren’t just collectibles; they’re tokens of nostalgia. Whether it’s an orange traffic cone celebrating the perpetual construction on Tropicana Avenue or the beloved Crazy Girls statue pin, each design tells a uniquely Vegas story. Her creations help locals reclaim cherished memories…especially from casinos that no longer exist.
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One standout is her innovative “pin map.” Born from her struggle to remember which Vegas landmarks she’d already commemorated, Holly laid out her pins on cardboard, aligning them to replicate the Vegas Strip. This simple act became a delightful addition to her collection, allowing her customers to visually track their own Vegas histories.
Despite challenges like imitators and even theft of her designs, Holly remains dedicated, maintaining affordable prices since launching in 2014. Her pins generally cost around $10-12, reflecting her commitment to accessible local nostalgia…which in my opinion are WAY too low but you do you Holly Vaughn.
Beyond pins, Holly occasionally collaborates on apparel and custom designs, making personalized pins swiftly—perfect for events or special requests. The Vegas community remains central to her business, and Holly dreams of more local artists joining her in celebrating vintage Vegas through nostalgic collectibles.
To Holly Vaughn, Battle Born Pins isn’t just a business; it’s a love letter to Las Vegas preserving the city’s rich heritage, one pin at a time.
Make sure to check out Holly’s full episode when she came on the Hey BigHead Show!
