Krystal Gillis, the founder and CEO of Tighties™ functional activewear, is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader. Krystal’s career trajectory has been a dynamic blend of entrepreneurial ventures and corporate experience from sales for a large payroll company to founding her first business in payroll software at the young age of 24. After successfully building and eventually selling her first venture, she transitioned to corporate roles in the medical devices sector, contributing her skills at Abbott and Stryker. In 2017, seeking a balance, she took on a consulting role, overseeing the launch of five companies, three products and a foundation before the inception of Tighties in 2022 during her work on a product launch for an orthopedic company in San Diego.
As the driving force behind Tighties, Krystal is deeply involved in every aspect of the business from product development and project management to overseeing finances, sales and pipeline management. With a strong focus on injury prevention and longevity, she created Tighties for anyone committed to an active lifestyle.
Despite the challenges, Krystal finds gratification in the small wins that accumulate to move mountains. Her favorite aspect of the job lies in the daily decisions that contribute to the company’s success. A firm believer in the adage “A rising tide lifts all boats,” Krystal brings not only her expertise but also a compassionate and visionary approach to the business landscape.
With a strong educational foundation, Krystal earned her Bachelor of Arts from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She currently resides in San Diego, California.
Website: www.tighties.com
Instagram: @gotighties
To hear the full interview with Krystal, listen below and subscribe to Flight Club here!
Listen to the Flight Club Podcast on iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcast | Stitcher | RadioPublic | iHeartRadio | YouTube
Felena Hanson, founder of Hera Hub, interviews incredible business women from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines for Hera Hub’s podcast Flight Club. Giving you a behind-the-scenes look at female entrepreneurship, we focus on sharing backstories of amazing women as they found their “lean out” moment and bravely launched their business. We uncover their secrets to success and their advice to others who are launching a new adventure. Subscribe to Flight Club on iTunes here.
