1. What makes Found Surface different from other manufacturers?
I have a long list of ways we are very different from other manufacturers. In fact, we have taken the opposite approach from most industry standards. My favorite way we differentiate is that the people here actually know the brands we create for. There is a real connection between maker, designer and brand that was eradicated decades ago, and we are bringing it back.
2. What’s one mistake you see brands make when they start production?
Running a brand is no joke and I understand that everyone is starting in a different place. I truly believe there are no mistakes when designing and making. One way I see room for process improvement on the brand side is allocating more time between release deadlines and production. I am a firm believer in rollouts, momentum building, experimentation, product testing. Enjoy the process and accept that achieving quality is a process.
3. Why is local manufacturing still worth it in 2025?
Local manufacturing is going to be the only way forward in the future. To solve problems for both brands, buyers and consumers; the era of smart factories needs to rise and flourish. Found Surface is a smart factory. One that is flexible, makes a wide range of product, can innovate our production processes fast, not over produce, utilize cutting edge materials and be built on sustainability. This is not going to happen at a massive facility thousands of miles away from us. What we have built and will continue to build are regional clusters that support the communities they are in.
4. What does “doing things the right way” mean at Found Surface?
It means listening closely to what people truly want for their brand, their body, and their values. Respecting the vision of designers and the skill of craftspeople. And it means making choices that support our community, protect our planet, and move the apparel industry forward in a more thoughtful direction.
5. How do brands benefit when they’re closer to their production?
No surprises, they have a real relationship with our team. Essentially a factory extension/plugin for either development or production to their existing operation–big or small. Communication is everything. Design in communication, supply chain is communication and we take those things very seriously at Found Surface.
6. What’s your favorite product Found Surface has ever made?
I think my favorites are in motion right now, but I cannot share the details yet. Of what I can talk about I would need to say our Stag At Sharkey’s Blanket for the Cleveland Museum of Art. This was an example of all the right pieces falling in place for a product that just makes sense and ended up better than we even anticipated. One of our strong suits is knitwear programming, and translating works in the Museum’s collection is always exciting.
7. What’s a phrase the team hears you say too often?
I do tend to start most of my conversations with “yo.” Otherwise, “add it to the linesheet!” is a frequent statement after we complete a new template style or make a material innovation that is ready for market.
8. What kind of clients thrive working with Found Surface?
Clients who care about the how and why. Can be all kinds. Medical, apparel, home goods. The throughline of clients we have the best synergy with is that we all care about how we are making something and why we are doing it in the first place. Intention is very important in this line of work. Measure twice, cut once–use for a lifetime.
9. What role does sustainability actually play in the day-to-day at Found Surface?
At Found Surface, sustainability isn’t a buzzword– it’s a practice. From composting our material waste to using zero-waste digital knitting, it’s built into how we work. As a regional factory, we avoid the complexity and impact of global supply chains, offering a more direct and responsible path. Every day, we ask ourselves: Are we making this in the most thoughtful way possible? That mindset drives everything, and it’s how we hold ourselves to the highest standard.
10. What’s a value you’ll never compromise on?
Iteration. The second you stop asking yourself how to improve, the lifeblood is gone in whatever you are doing. This is what sometimes is referred to as “growth mindset” for personal development. I think this applies heavily in business, design, development and production.
11. What’s a green flag when a brand first reaches out?
I think there are many. Anyone who is excited to make things with quality, no matter the starting point is what we are in the interest of meeting the need for.
12. What’s your favorite material to work with right now, and why?
I am most jazzed on our advancements with algae bio-mass based screen printing inks right now. We have combined this with our organic cotton circular knit and digital flatbed knit textiles to make the first scalable plastic-free t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants and more. This means that apparel that is most prone to ending up in a landfill can actually biodegrade and no longer negatively impact the planet during its life-cycle.
13. What’s a small decision that makes a big difference in sustainability?
Eliminating petroleum-based (plastic) materials in your designs as much as possible. We have a long way to go on material innovations, but they are happening and it is an exciting time to be alive!
14. What’s something brands don’t realize until they visit the factory?
How many steps, communication and skill is required to make product, and that the environment to do so can be fun, uplifting and pleasant.
15. When was the last time you felt really proud of the team?
Right now. These questions are a good practice in reflecting. We have a fast paced, merit-based environment here. You join Found Surface because you want to work with purpose and build something that will make a lasting impact on the world. Our team is incredible at what they do in every category.
16. How does Found Surface define success in a production partnership?
Quality experience for the client, and a quality product for their customers that lasts.
17. What kind of legacy is Found Surface building through this production model?
We are single handedly reinventing the apparel manufacturing process to be focused on innovation and meeting the needs of brands today. Welcome to the era of smart factories, made in USA, and made to last.
18. If the factory had a mascot, what would it be?
I love this question. My grandmother, sewing on top of a bald eagle.
19. Where do you want Found Surface to be in five years?
By 2030, our goal is to capture 1% of all U.S.-initiated apparel production — and grow aggressively from there. Found Surface aims to be the go-to production partner for brands of all sizes who care about quality, transparency, and sustainability. Reaching that scale means more than just growth; it means reshaping how clothing is made in this country — improving processes, raising product standards, and helping both clients and consumers understand what real quality looks and feels like.
20. Why is this the moment for domestic, intentional manufacturing to grow?
Because the cracks in the global supply chain are too visible to ignore and brands are realizing they need more than just speed and scale. They need transparency, accountability, and a partner who understands the stakes. Domestic, intentional manufacturing offers all of that — along with the ability to respond quickly, collaborate directly, and build products with purpose. It’s not just a shift in logistics — it’s a shift in values.
