Enterprising spirit runs in the family of Katie Kozloff-Banks, so she grew up in Wyomissing knowing she wanted to run her own business. After graduating from the University of Michigan, and while earning her MBA from Drexel University, the former fitness trainer did just that – albeit unexpectedly – selling novelty lingerie. Today her company, Katie K Active, is a rapidly growing and successful brand of activewear for women of every size. Kozloff-Banks met her fellow entrepreneur husband Todd through a mutual friend. They married in 2012 and live in Wyomissing.
Q: Is your background in textiles? Did you set out to design women’s clothing?
Not at all. I was in grad school in Philadelphia and working in operations for Smith Barney. My dad had his own business and I always knew I wanted to do that too. As a start-up side project, I started making novelty underwear to sell at girls’ night-type parties and gatherings. It was fun stuff, [garments] made for women to feel good about themselves, empowering them. I started to get lots of requests for plus sizes and that changed everything.
Q: You saw a void for plus sizes and it led you to making workout clothes?
Yes. At the time, I was also working as a personal trainer and had female clients of all sizes complaining that they felt uncomfortable, both literally – as in the clothes they worked out in fit poorly – and in the sense that they wanted to look good at the gym. Fit and style are particular issues for plus sizes, because often larger sizes don’t come in trendy styles. And you can’t just upgrade sizing with garments and expect a proper fit. Katie K Active designs for standard sizes using a model of medium size – so we build small, medium and large from that body type – but, unlike some other activewear manufacturers, we use a 2X model to create colorful, stylish clothes in extra-large through 3X sizes.
Q: So the sizing is different and precise, but there’s no difference, in terms of fashion, in the whole range of sizes?
That’s right. A couple of friends can both wear the same cute, printed Capri leggings even though one may wear a standard small and the other an XXL – that is rare in women’s fashion. I love to hear from plus-sized customers who are happy and surprised they can buy the very same garment that they may have admired on someone else.
Q: Wow, those requests did change everything. You went from working in finance to fashion. How long has Katie K been in business? And what’s the design process like?
It’s been kind of a whirlwind. We launched March 14, 2015, and are now in more than 50 stores and sold on some specialty websites in Europe. I have three sales reps across the US; they help customers find us. As for creating lines, I work with a freelance designer and a sourcing group for fabrics in New York City, but production is done in Asia.
Q: I hear you’re recently married and that your husband is also a fitness fan and an entrepreneur – sounds like a perfect match!
It really is. We support each other, and even though he’s in insurance and not fashion, he’s such a cheerleader. And he is very active; he competes in Ironman triathlons, so he knows the importance of good workout clothes.
by Michelle E. Biggerstaff | photo by John A. Secoges, Secoges Photographics
