Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad Thomas.
Hi Chad, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My entrepreneurial journey began well before my work in fashion. My first full-scale business was a white-glove moving service that I launched just before the 2008 recession. Starting and sustaining a business during that period gave me a foundational understanding of operations, financial discipline, customer service, and resilience. More importantly, it gave me confidence that only comes from building something real under challenging conditions.
That experience shaped how I approached every opportunity that followed. When I later launched my boutique, I.O. Domani, I did so with far more intention and structure. The biggest shift was moving that business from Texas into an international market in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Operating abroad introduced an entirely new learning curve, from regulatory differences to cultural nuance, and required me to adapt quickly, problem-solve in real time, and remain flexible without compromising the brand.
One of the most important lessons I learned through both ventures is that building a business is a skill learned through immersion. Strategy matters, but execution, observation, and adjustment are what sustain growth. I became very intentional about understanding what a brand stands for and ensuring that identity is woven through every layer of the business, from people and processes to products, services, and customer experience.
Alongside my entrepreneurial work, I’ve held roles across several industries, including media, construction, and healthcare. Each provided valuable insight into organizational development, relationship-building, and leadership within different operational environments. Even while working in these spaces, I continued to maintain consulting work, which has grown organically over time.
Today, as a Strategic Consulting Executive and founder of CRT Consulting, I draw on these experiences to help organizations and leaders navigate growth, transition, and complexity with clarity and intention. Every chapter, from early entrepreneurship to international business to consulting, has shaped how I think, lead, and advise today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road at all, but it is a journey I would not change for anything. The challenges shaped my grit, expanded how I think, and forced me to become more intentional about who I am, what I want to build, and what I want to leave behind.
One of the most challenging experiences was transitioning a business into an international market. While I understood the language barriers and cultural differences in theory, the reality only became clear once I was fully immersed. I had to learn quickly, study the market closely, and make adjustments in real time. I also had to let go of the idea that I had all the answers. Listening, seeking guidance, and staying open to learning were essential to the business surviving and eventually thriving.
There were periods of intense sacrifice. I worked long hours, often staying late into the night reviewing numbers, projections, and strategy, even after the doors were closed. There were moments when business was slow and doubt crept in, moments that tested my faith and confidence deeply. Looking back, those experiences were building resilience and discipline, even when it did not feel that way at the time.
Over time, the boutique grew into a meaningful presence in the community. We built something distinctive, alongside other businesses doing their own important work, and the market allowed space for all of us to succeed in different ways. That sense of collaboration and mutual respect remains one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience.
Like many small businesses, we were heavily impacted by broader economic shifts and the pandemic. That period required difficult decisions and forced me to confront what I initially perceived as failure. With perspective, I came to understand that failure is rarely an ending. It is often a reset, a necessary moment that reveals what needs to change and where growth is possible.
I am proud of what I built and even prouder of what it taught me. Those challenges did not close doors. They prepared me for future opportunities and gave me the clarity and confidence to approach leadership with resilience, humility, and purpose.
As you know, we’re big fans of CRT Consulting. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
CRT Consulting is built on real operating experience. The work I do today is informed by years of building, running, and evolving businesses across different industries and markets, including launching and operating an international boutique. Those experiences shaped how I think about leadership, brand alignment, and sustainable growth.
I specialize in working with founders, executives, and organizations during periods of transition. That may involve growth, restructuring, expansion into new markets, or clarifying internal operations. I am known for taking a holistic approach that considers strategy, culture, people, and execution together rather than treating them as separate pieces.
What sets my work apart is that it is grounded in lived experience, not theory. I understand the pressure of decision-making, the weight of responsibility, and the importance of timing because I have navigated those moments firsthand. I place a strong emphasis on clarity, alignment, and intentional design, ensuring that a company’s values are reflected consistently in its people, processes, and customer experience.
Brand integrity is something I care deeply about. I am most proud of building businesses where the internal culture mirrors what is presented externally. When a brand is clear about what it stands for, every layer of the business can reinforce that vision, from leadership and hiring to operations and client engagement.
At its core, CRT Consulting exists to help leaders make thoughtful, grounded decisions that support long-term sustainability. I want readers to know that my work is not about quick fixes or surface-level solutions. It is about building structures, strategies, and teams that are resilient, aligned, and prepared for what comes next.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is growing up in a household where both of my parents were deeply entrepreneurial in spirit. Even though they held traditional nine-to-five jobs, they were always building, designing, or creating something on the side. I loved being involved. Helping my dad with his work and assisting my mom gave me a sense of purpose and accomplishment at a very young age.
Those moments taught me skills before I even realized they were skills. By the time others were just beginning to learn certain things, I already felt comfortable applying them and moving on to the next challenge. I was always curious, asking questions, and looking for ways to turn knowledge into something practical.
At home, learning often looked like play. I used to line up my family members and pretend I was the teacher, organizing lessons and explaining concepts I was excited about. Even our family game nights were formative. Monopoly was a favorite, and my parents never went easy on me. Through those games, I learned about money, strategy, patience, and resilience. Losing was part of the process, and so was learning to adjust and try again.
I still remember the night I finally beat my dad at checkers. I felt proud, capable, and accomplished. Looking back, those small moments taught me persistence, adaptability, and the value of thinking differently. They shaped how I approach challenges to this day.
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