He’s an EY Entrepreneur of the Year and Forbes 30 Under 30 winner. He’s the founder and chief designer of Taft, a fast-growing high-end footwear company. His Instagram reaches 631K followers. Mega-celebrities such as Dwayne Johnson, Tim McGraw and Dwayne Wade sport his brand’s flashy kicks.
He also suffers from chronic depression.
Unlike many successful entrepreneurs who shield their public personas with a thick layer of unwavering confidence, Kory Stevens decided to go without the heavy armor. Preferring to lead with authenticity, he’s forthcoming about mental illness as well as the challenges and uncertainty that accompany it.
Opening up about mental health
In other media outlets, Kory has been vocal about the ups and downs of his mental health journey. Just two weeks after a stay in a mental hospital in Utah, he met with judges who would ultimately decide if Kory fit the bill for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award. What would they think if they knew the happy, successful person standing before them struggled with severe depression?
Later, when Kory won the award in the “Emerging” category, he went on stage and opened up about his struggles during an acceptance speech to a crowded room.
That was in 2019. He has also shared how the COVID-19 pandemic brought additional hard times. He had to close his retail company’s brick-and-mortar store in New York City. Revenues went flat. Needless to say, Kory was stressed, like so many people around the world.
Fortunately, things turned around. Taft slowly rebounded. And, so did Kory. In a 2021 article, Kory attributed the success to a “philosophy of openness” at Taft. He offers mental health services to employees and their family members. Also, every Zoom call starts with a “thumbs up or thumbs down” which allows team members to share their emotional states. It’s a practice that sets the tone for strong communication and empathy in the workplace.
Spreading kindness, creating community
As Taft continued to generate mass awareness and appeal, so did the brand’s social following. But instead of using his Insta-platform to sell more boots, Kory uses it to proactively engage with followers and inspire them to live more openly and honestly. He talks about mental health and shares resources related to well-being, mindfulness, therapy, etc. When reading his responses or watching his videos, you can feel Kory’s genuine, heartfelt kindness shining through the feed.
Beyond social, Kory often writes personal thank-you cards to customers who purchase his shoes. It’s a warm, personalized touch that shows gratitude and fosters loyalty with customers. The majority of Taft buyers are repeat buyers.
As a business owner/founder, Kory sets the bar for how brands should interact with their customers. When someone invests in you, you can invest right back in them.
Committed to bold vulnerability
Despite living with a serious mental health condition, Kory doesn’t let it define him.
He’s also a father of three kids and husband to his wife and business partner, Mallory. He’s a business owner. He’s a churchgoer, an Eagle Scout, a volunteer, and so much more.
Kory works to juggle all aspects of his life just as everyone else does. When he’s feeling down, he knows he needs assistance from family, friends, mental health professionals, and the Taft community. He also puts himself out there in a way to create dialogue about depression and, hopefully, helps others feel less alone.
As Kory and Mallory say on the Taft website, “…boldness bridges the gap between us. When we’re all free to be our authentic, distinct selves, the world can become a healthier, happier, and more joyful place.”
Kory and Mallory Stevens, Taft
Despite everything he’s been through personally and professionally, Kory is committed to bold vulnerability as a way to empower himself and others to be open about all facets of life – the good, the bad, and everything in between. Fortunately, he’s crafted some amazingly bold shoes that can make the journey a little easier.
Be sure to read Kory Stevens of TAFT: Five Things You Need To Build A Trusted And Beloved Brand, an Interview With Fotis Georgiadis On Medium.
Disclosure: I own at least 12 pairs of shoes & boots from Taft. There’s simply no other footwear that competes with their unique style and quality. They might as well offer a guarantee that these kicks will turn heads and get many compliments. It happens every time I wear them.
