854 Krystal Gillis: Founder & CEO of Tighties

Turning activewear into technology that actually supports how you move — that’s the magic 🏃‍♀️✨ On The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Krystal Gillis, Founder and CEO of Tighties, a movement technology company redefining performance apparel through alignment, muscle activation, pain management, and movement support. Krystal’s journey started long before Tighties. She founded and sold her first company at just 24, went on to work in the medical device world with companies including Abbott and Stryker, and later consulted on the launch of multiple companies, products, and a foundation. But it was while leading a product launch for an orthopedic company that she saw a gap she couldn’t ignore: active people needed something between traditional activewear and medical-grade support. That insight became Tighties — wearable movement technology designed to help active people stay active. Created with clinical experts and manufactured in San Diego, Tighties is built to support better movement, improve alignment, activate muscles, and help people train, recover, and move with more confidence. We talk about what Krystal saw in orthopedics that sparked the idea, how she brought biomechanical and clinical experts into product development, and why she doesn’t think of Tighties as just apparel. We also get into the realities of building a first-to-market category, responding to skepticism during R&D, and what it takes to communicate science-backed performance benefits in a way consumers can actually understand. Krystal also shares what it’s like raising capital as a female founder, the lessons she’s carried from building and selling her first company, and where she believes the future of performance technology is headed. If you are interested in what it takes to build a brand at the intersection of apparel, health, technology, and human movement — check out this interview on my podcast now. 🎧   Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at [email protected]. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.   To learn more about Krystal Gillis and Tighties:https://tighties.com/https://www.instagram.com/gotighties/https://www.linkedin.com/company/tighties/https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystal-gillis-a2582611/   Sponsored By: AT&T Business - Switch to AT&T Business at business.att.com Cash App - For a limited time, new customers can get $10 added to their balance. Use code CASHAPP10 when you sign up, and send at least $5 to a friend in the first two weeks. Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0s6pfdl7 #CashAppPod  As a Cash App partner, I may earn a commission when you sign up for a Cash App account. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures. LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free. Hexclad - Get 10% off! Just head to Hexclad.com/KARAGOLDIN SelectQuote - Save more than fifty percent on term life insurance at SelectQuote.com/kara TODAY to get started.   Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/854