Kiya Winston: Inside the Life of NFL Coach Mike Tomlin's Accomplished Wife

By Jason Bolton August 24, 2024 10:51

Photo by Frazer Harrison/ACMA2012/Getty Images

Designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Kiya Winston of Morris Plains, NJ, pursued a career in fashion and design at an early age. She was passionate about this field from the beginning of her life. Growing up, she had difficulty finding clothing to fit her square frame. So, rather than avoidably wearing oversized clothes, Kiya took it upon herself to create them.

At 11, she was gifted a sewing machine for Christmas, and that's when her journey started in fashion design. She started producing cushions, ducks for the wall, and dresses as she honed her ability and found her signature look.

In 1992, Kiya graduated from Morristown High School before embarking on an unexpected educational path. Initially, she went to the College of William & Mary and was going to study pre-med. However, her creativity—with an obvious passion for design—drove her to think otherwise. She moved to the University of Cincinnati for her bachelor's degree in Design, Arts, and architectural Planning. This academic history gave her a strong base for all the career opportunities in fashion design.

Life And First Meeting With Mike Tomlin

Kiya truly began following a completely exciting life when she met Mike Tomlin from the College of William & Mary. That's because their love story originated in the most unlikely place: the college athletic department's training room. Both were dealing with injuries from their sports when they met, but they shared an immediate connection, for better or worse.

Their college romance evolved into the quintessential dream of being a couple. After Mike graduated high school in 1996, they moved forward on their journey together by getting married. However, the couple has defied divorce until now, with over 27 years of marriage as of 2024.

Mike and Kiya have already created an impressive family of their own. The duo share three kids altogether: Dean (born in 2000), Mason (born in 2002), and Harlyn Quinn, who was born on April 15 of this year. The Tomlin family resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Mike has been the head coach for the Steelers since 2007.

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Fame in the Fashion Scene

Although Mike Tomlin is popular in the world of professional football, Kiya Winston has also created a name for herself. Her achievements in this journey from fashion designer to entrepreneur speak volumes about her creativity, doggedness, and business acumen.

In 2014, Kiya relaunched her designs as the "Uptown Sweat" tracksuit collection. Focusing on consumers over thirty who prefer efficient yet fashionable styles, this collection was a turning point in her career. One factor that differentiates Kiya's brand from alternatives is her dedication to American manufacturing; every piece of her clothing line is 100% made in the U.S.

Her line of fashions was attracting the likes of other high-profile celebrities and personalities, which she now had to sell under simply "Kiya Tomlin." Her pieces combine the aspirational with comfort and incorporate her brand motto, "Comfortable, Confident, Beautiful." Miss Kiya strives to empower these women; through her work, she provides them with versatile and chic apparel for all occasions.

The Problem Of Balancing Family Life With High-Profile Careers

Kiya Winston juggles a very successful career with life as a wife and mother. An NFL coach's wife has a challenging life, as her husband is away for more than half of the year due to football season. However, she has managed to stay sane while putting up with her husband's career and carving out a successful business for herself.

They attribute their success to each other and how they support one another. Kiya can take comfort in the support of a very fashionable coach, while Mike likely feels some professional inspiration from such an energetic potential modeling career. How they have managed to run their high-profile careers and take care of the family is evidence enough that both really value each other business-wise.

Community Engagement & Philanthropy

Her star status and influence on the community suggest she would reach out to people, especially through Kiya's ultimate claims of success. That might mean assisting charities in the Pittsburgh area, supporting NFL-related causes, or using her fashion brand to benefit certain charitable organizations.

Kiya's Impact and Legacy

As an entrepreneur, Kiya has created a brand that reflects women in comfortable clothing with style and confidence. She is also unique in her commitment to American manufacturing, highlighting that she favors quality products and believes it's important for Americans to support their local economies.

Kiya may now be a lifestyle entrepreneur who helps support her family, but the message she delivers is proof anyone can strive toward success. Her story serves as a reminder that we should not take no for an answer, but when one is found, approach our lives with the same fierce determination Schlafly did.