We had the good fortune of connecting with Tay Harris and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tay, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind my success is a combination of creativity, persistence, and connection with my audience. Creativity drives my brand, allowing me to design unique, high-quality rugs that resonate with customers. Persistence has been key in refining my craft, overcoming challenges, and continuously improving my business. Building strong relationships with my customers through engagement, workshops, and personalized pieces has also been crucial in fostering trust and loyalty.

Lastly, teamwork has played a critical role. Working closely with my in-house production team has been essential in maintaining quality, efficiency, and innovation. Collaboration within the team ensures that every rug meets our high standards, and by fostering a supportive and creative work environment, we’re able to push boundaries and bring fresh ideas to life. The strength of our team has been a key driver in the success of my brand.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is all about pushing the boundaries of rug tufting, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design to create pieces that feel both functional and expressive. What sets our work apart is our attention to detail, our commitment to quality, and our ability to elevate what people typically see as just a rug into a true statement piece. We don’t just stop at the expected, we experiment with texture, layering, and finishing techniques to make every piece stand out.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how far we’ve come as a brand. Seeing our work resonate with people and knowing that we’re creating something truly unique is incredibly rewarding. I’m excited to keep expanding our creative reach and exploring new ways to innovate in this space.

Getting to this point professionally wasn’t easy. Like any creative business, we faced challenges in ways of figuring out production, perfecting our techniques, and navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. We overcame these by staying persistent, learning from every setback, and constantly refining our process. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth comes from adaptability. The willingness to experiment, fail, and improve has been key to our success.

Ultimately, I want the world to know that our brand is built on passion, craftsmanship, and a dedication to creating something truly special. In our eyes, we’re not just making rugs, we’re telling stories, pushing artistic limits, and proving that functional art can be just as impactful as any other medium.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1 would focus on exploring midtown and the arts scene. Start your day with a visit to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, where you can wander through stunning plant displays, explore the tropical rainforest exhibit, and walk the mesmerizing Canopy Walk. Right next door is Piedmont Park, a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll and people watching.

In the afternoon, head to the Trap Music Museum, a one-of-a-kind experience that celebrates the cultural impact of Atlanta’s trap music scene. It’s an immersive, interactive exhibit where you can learn about the history of trap music and its influential artists.

As evening falls, make your way to Atlantic Station, one of Atlanta’s top shopping and entertainment districts. Browse the shops, catch a movie at Regal Cinemas, or enjoy one of the many seasonal events, like ice skating in the winter or outdoor markets in the warmer months. This area has a great food scenery as well, ranging from seafood, salad bars, international dishes and a wide range of sweets & desserts.

For day 2 would look towards the history and culture of Atlanta. Begin your day with a meaningful visit to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, where you can explore Dr. King’s childhood home. After immersing yourself in history, head to Sea Salt in Howell Mill, which is a trendy restaurant and bar serving seafood and comfort food in a laid-back atmosphere.

In the afternoon, spend time at the New Black Wall Street Market, which is a historic, cultural, experiential retail location with amazing event spaces for everyone. Shop, explore, and then rent a bike or take a walk along the Atlanta BeltLine, a scenic multi-use trail lined with murals, parks, and pop-ups. End the day with dinner and a vibe at Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen to experience the taste Gullah geechee soul food

Day 3 would include unique attractions located around the city. Start your morning at Krog Street Market, a lively food hall where you can grab breakfast from one of the many local vendors. Before leaving the area, take a walk through the Krog Street Tunnel, an ever changing canvas of vibrant street art and graffiti.

For your main attraction of the day, choose between two Atlanta favorites: the Zoo Atlanta, where you can see the famous giant pandas, or the Georgia Aquarium, home to one of the world’s largest collections of marine life. End the day off with dinner at any of the Rusty Taco locations to enjoy their tacos and daquiri bar.

A few more notable attractions and places to visit are the Coca Cola factory, the Mercedes Benz stadium, the Starlight drive in theatre, or Stone Mountain park. For my Pontiac/Detroit Mi natives the closest you can get to a Coney Island will be American Deli but with Atlanta having such a large food scene, having a great meal would be the easiest task of the day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to give a shoutout to my co-owner, Chelly. Her optimism, vision, and creativity have played a huge role in our success. She has an incredible ability to see potential beyond what most would consider a finished piece, always pushing our work to the next level. Her mindset keeps us motivated, and her dedication to innovation continuously elevates our brand. I truly appreciate her contributions, and I wouldn’t want to be on this journey without her.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RugRunnerz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RugRunnerz

Other: Website currently under reconstruction. Refer to our instagram @RugRunnerz for all updates and postings.

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