Meet Kristi Taht

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristi Taht and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristi, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
One of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make was coming to terms with the harsh reality of our circumstances and recognizing that I needed to shut down my company. Standing in front of the mirror, I had to confront the emotional weight and personal responsibility of this decision. It wasn’t just about closing a business—it was about the lives and livelihoods of the 300 employees who had committed their time, talent, and trust to our shared vision.

Due to the outbreak of war, continuing our operations became not only unsustainable but also unsafe. The situation demanded a level of responsibility that went beyond business metrics; it required a moral and human-centered decision. In light of the escalating conflict, protecting our team and acknowledging the broader realities became the only viable path forward.

Making this choice was heart-wrenching, but ultimately necessary. It tested my leadership, resilience, and values in ways I could never have anticipated. Letting go was not a sign of failure, but an act of difficult courage in the face of uncontrollable circumstances.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have been deeply involved in the fashion and textile industry for as long as I can remember. My journey began in childhood, heavily influenced by my mother, who was a skilled seamstress and regularly sewed garments for others. Her dedication and craftsmanship sparked my early love for fashion and clothing design.

From a young age, I demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit. I began selling clothes door to door, driven not only by the desire to earn but by a genuine passion for fashion and garment creation. It was clear to me early on that my true calling lay not just in selling clothes, but in making them.

This passion eventually led me to establish my own sewing company. Initially, I provided manufacturing services to fashion brands that had strong market identities but lacked production capabilities. This allowed me to gain invaluable experience in the business-to-business side of the fashion world and to build a reputation for reliability and quality in garment production.

A few years into this venture, I took a significant step forward by acquiring 16 retail stores, through which I began selling my own fashion brand directly to consumers. This expansion marked a major milestone in my career, allowing me to control both the manufacturing and retail aspects of the business.

Subsequently, I realized my long-held dream of building a comprehensive textile factory. This facility was designed to manage the entire production process from start to finish. We sourced yarn from suppliers around the globe, and within our factory, we carried out knitting, dyeing, and sewing, thereby maintaining full control over quality and production timelines.

At the height of operations, my business employed over 300 individuals. It was a dynamic and rewarding enterprise that allowed me to combine creativity, manufacturing expertise, and business acumen in a way that was both personally fulfilling and professionally successful.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The Met in NYC, opera , hiking , yoga class, Italian restorans ( Milos )

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would also like to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude and admiration for my daughter, who has been by my side throughout this entire journey. Her unwavering support, strength, and love have been a constant source of comfort and motivation for me—especially during the most challenging moments of my professional and personal life.

She is 19 now, growing into an incredible young woman, but I still vividly remember the times when she was just a little girl. Even then, she had a remarkable ability to sense when I was struggling. During the most difficult periods—when the weight of leadership, uncertainty, or hardship felt overwhelming—she would come to me with a simple hug and say, “Mom, you can do it.” Those words, spoken with such pure love and belief, meant more to me than she could ever know.

Her presence reminded me of what truly matters. She grounded me in moments of crisis and gave me the strength to keep moving forward, not just for the business, but for the future I wanted to build for both of us. Watching her grow, while witnessing her kindness, resilience, and quiet wisdom, has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

This journey has been anything but easy, but having her beside me gave me the courage to face each challenge with a full heart and renewed determination. I am endlessly proud of her, and eternally grateful for the light she has brought into my life.