Today, we’d like to introduce you to Anastasia Morozova.
Hi Anastasia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story begins in Moldova, a small Eastern European country with beautiful and old traditions of winemaking, food, music, dancing, and strong family ties. I grew up in a school of about 700 children, which was considered a big school for Moldova.
After school, I spent most of my time painting or shadowing the craft teacher, trying to learn how to work a sewing machine. We only had a few sewing machines for a big school – old wooden tables with iron frames and mechanical iron pedals. These sewing machines were works of art in themselves. While most kids my age spent their time in the play yard, I was absorbed and fascinated with the idea that I could make anything from a piece of cloth.
At 18, I had an opportunity to move to the US to study at O’More College of Design. A small college in Franklin, TN, where I was introduced to the world of fashion and apparel manufacturing industries. Although, at that time, my true passions were art and design, I found the manufacturing industry extremely fascinating.
After graduating, I decided to expand my knowledge of the manufacturing process. I started as a seamstress for local manufacturing factories, then transitioned to a sample maker and later to production manager roles. The delicate balance of construction, assembling, machinery, talent management, and technical details has captured my curiosity about the manufacturing industry.
Over the years, I entertained the idea of starting a small business. However, stepping into this new space was intimidating. While exploring ideas for a personal business, I continued my work with local makers and designers. During this time, I reconnected with two talented college friends with whom I later partnered and started my first venture with small-batch apparel manufacturing.
We worked closely with local designers, developing new products, sampling new styles, and producing casual wear and accessories in small batches. As the first venture ended, I continued the business by establishing Red Thread Company in 2018.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered was figuring out how to make the entire business model feasible.
While traditional manufacturing focuses on scaling up, Red Thread Company scales down a production floor into a shop-space setting while maintaining the efficiency of a large factory.
Although pricing is always a challenge, we work very hard to maintain a fair price, production efficiency, and a collaborative relationship with our clients.
I am grateful that shaping our business has been a rewarding experience, thanks to the trust and partnerships we have been developing with our clients.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Red Thread Company, we work with local and out-of-state designers, offering services that range from product development for men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel and accessories, pattern development, pattern grading, and tech pack design to small batch apparel manufacturing. Recently, we also started to offer sampling, patterning, and production for limited leather-made goods.
Our goal is to maintain a platform that supports and tends to new and starting designers as well as fully established brands. One of the ways we make this possible is by accepting orders as small as a single unit per order, which gives our clients room to explore new designs with low costs. Our customers can order as little as a single unit or as many as 500 units per single order. Orders larger than 500 units are split into multiple deliveries.
I am very proud to see Red Thread Company become a perfect balance of creative space and technical skill. While we are a small business, we pride ourselves in quality, attentiveness to our clients, and flexible delivery schedules. We are always open to connect, discuss possible partnerships, and help local businesses bring their designs to market.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My story would have been very different were it not for the incredible people I met along my journey. I’m lucky to have an amazing brother who has consistently provided unwavering support, both in challenging me and offering encouragement.
My school principal from Moldova wasn’t merely a mentor, she was nurturing and a guiding hand through obstacles during the early years of my childhood. Here in the US, I’ve been fortunate to meet a second family and a circle of friends who provide a caring base of love and support.
I am deeply grateful to Dr. Mark Hilliard, O’More college president during my studies, who generously extended his mentorship, guidance, and unwavering support throughout the years. His genuine embrace of life reveals enchantment in the ordinary.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.redthreadcompany.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redthreadcompany/
Image Credits
Anastasia Morozova
Credits with the special people in my life, Dr. Hilliards first name, his full name is Dr. Mark Hilliard.
