People Behind the Product Series: KT Thomas
ISAIC (Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center) stands alone as the only national institute for soft goods manufacturing located in Detroit, Michigan. Our goal is to create better job opportunities for those in the sewing industry while advancing innovations that will support the return of a responsible, ethical, and profitable domestic manufacturing system. One of the many talented individuals that work for ISAIC is KT Thomas.
KT’s journey to ISAIC started when he was approached by Kimberly, who found him through a parole agent. KT wasn’t actively searching for a job at the time, as he was already running his own businesses, including a barber shop, a lawn service, and a clothing line. Initially hesitant about joining ISAIC, Kimberly's persistence and the company's mission eventually convinced him to give it a chance.
When KT first joined the company, he started out as a sewing specialist. As he became more involved with the business, he began to take on leadership roles. He learned how to make the Carhartt beanie and practiced making it for 3-4 months straight so that he could help ISAIC secure the contract and start producing the hats.
Soon after, he became a lead and trained others on how to make the hat. As a supervisor, he learned how to develop people and put them in the right position to make garments. This also involved teaching the difference between home sewing and manufacturing sewing and learning about strategy development.
KT's time at ISAIC has been instrumental in his personal and professional development. One of the most valuable lessons he learned was understanding people and how to navigate conversations, understand feelings, and resolve conflicts. This skill has not only helped him in his professional life but has also contributed to his personal relationships.
ISAIC also provided KT with several opportunities for professional development. He took management trainings such as lean manufacturing and excel, and learned about various innovations such as Prodsmart, Tukatech, Circular Knit Machines, and Cut and Flip machines. KT is excited to continue learning about new innovations at ISAIC, such as the 3D Knitting machine, automated tagger, Pin Felting machine, and AR/VR tools.
His time at ISAIC has strengthened his leadership skills, which he can now apply to his personal ventures. Before ISAIC, KT ran a sewing system while incarcerated and always had a passion for fashion and sewing. He also converted a box truck into a mobile barber shop, which is a testament to his love for people and his desire to help them improve.
Overall, KT's journey at ISAIC has been one of personal and professional growth. From a sewing specialist to a supervisor, he has learned valuable skills in leadership, strategy, and people management. He is excited about the future of ISAIC and the innovations they will continue to bring to the industry.