KLS presents "Together Talks" feature #60 with BLK + GRN and Founder, Kristian Edwards

Some Background on BLK + GRN

For today's edition of "Together Talks" campaign, KLS had the privilege to interview Kristian Edwards, Founder, of BLK + GRN. BLK + GRN is an ecosystem of 135 Black women-owned personal care brands. They have tested and curated 1,045 SKUs of high-quality, ethically sourced, non-toxic, and cruelty-free products in the below categories.

Categories: Home - Feminine Care - Beauty - Bath + Body - Skincare - Haircare - Grocery - Mom + Baby

The company also possesses the below certifications:

Certifications: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) - Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) - Small Business Enterprise (SBE) - MWBE

Life-Changing

Imagine being a professor at The George Washington University, on your way to achieving tenure when your life is flipped upside down. Kristian was on this path, when she was tragically involved in a car accident. You can read the devastating article here. The accident left Kristian comatose. She shared with us that her doctors informed her parents to prepare that she would spend the rest of her life on life support.

Kristian spent 45 days in a coma due to her traumatic brain injury.

But not only did she wake up, she overcame everything. The road wasn't easy, but between speech and occupational therapy she was able to regain a sense of her life back. A true miracle.

After her therapy was done she had come to the realization that she could no longer teach to the standards she had set for herself. She had to walk away from education. It was at this time she had to decide what she wanted to do with her life since her career was taken away from her. Back in 2017 she had been compiling a list of natural products created by black-owned women that she used herself. Family and friends loved the idea and asked her to make them lists as well, but Kristian admitted this was tiresome. She got an idea to transform this model into a business. Thus, BLK + GRN was created. Fast forward to after her crash, medical stay, and therapy, Kristian decided to jump full into BLK + GRN less than three years later.

Vision

Kristian explained to us what is ultimately her favorite part of the job, "I can align mission and heart and passion with what I am doing every day. Our marketplace is designed not only to uplift black women entrepreneurs but also educate our consumers." As she explained to us, BLK + GRN sets out to help consumers before they get sick or before they are needing medical treatment. "We try to educate consumers with what they are putting on or in their body. It brings a lot of joy to educate and help.", Kristian explained.

The BLK + GRN website does a beautiful job eliciting the impact of their marketplace, "When buying Black, you possess the gift of influence. After purchasing at BLK + GRN, you use it to showcase Black women-owned products and support Black women collectively. When you live green, you possess the power to lead a happier and prioritize healthier life."

When the company was created in 2017, Kristian gives credit to one moment that really gave her that final push. She mentioned a book she read, also available on the marketplace, "Our Black Year". This book gave Kristian the mindset required to create her company, BLK + GRN. As she shared with us, "Put your money where your mouth is. If you care about black-owned, women-owned, family-owned businesses this is an opportunity to support those companies. Our marketplace makes it easier to connect these companies with consumers."

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Partners

The goal of the company is to provide a marketplace not for companies, not for businesses, not for owners, but for artisans. That is the partnership commitment that Kristian has created. As their website states for their mission, "One, to challenge the marketplace to normalize access to non-toxic products targeted to Black women and two, to fund Black women entrepreneurs’ who create non-toxic personal care products."

Here is a link to their dedicated process for any new artisan to partner with. Kristian shared that the overall goal is to work with newer start-up brands to help guide them through the process. BLK + GRN gives them an immediate platform to learn the intricacies of the industry without all the challenges that accompany getting into retail space or D2C selling. Their marketplace provides a start for these entrepreneurs to enter into the retail world.

What stands out for an artisan that BLK + GRN wants to partner with, Kristian elaborated, "Amazing packaging always helps products stand out, of course high quality while being all green. None of our banned ingredients are ever permitted, that is our commitment. We do a skin deep report to show how toxic a product can be and that is factored in as well." The marketplace with their rules and guidelines

Values and Commitment

The marketplace provided by BLK + GRN not only makes buying curated products easier, but it provides a level of trust and transparency with the products being sold. Kristian explained what separates her company from others, "Some marketplaces are all natural, but not all black-owned, or some focus on only black-owned but no focus on being all natural and toxic free. BLK + GRN offers both, without any exceptions, it is our mission."

The company also has their banned, "Toxic Twenty" list, which are ingredients that will not be found in any of their products featured at BLK + GRN. The company's commitment resonates with customers who feel that authenticity. Not only are the products created by Black women, but they are tested, effective, and they provide real solutions for consumers.

Kristian explained the culture as black women helping each other. She elaborated further, "I love working with women who are contractors. They have this vision and dream and BLK + GRN gets to help, support, and provide a platform to watch their companies grow." These partnerships with artisans is what makes the work so fulfilling to Kristian. She told us that she doesn't just want to do a job, but wants her work to feed her in some way.

Kristian did explain that there are hard days, the work never stops, and she does receive negativity, but she created a solution for herself. "I created a folder in my email, that whenever I am having a bad day I click on this folder and it has memories, reviews, kind words from companies and consumers. These little notes remind me of the work and opportunity BLK + GRN is providing."

The Future

Given what Kristian went through with her crash, her career, her new life she said her mindset changed. "I regularly felt like I would just shut it down, it can be taxing. But my accident was such a blessing and a curse. I've learned that nothing is that important to steal joy. I came so close to death, so I no longer operate in fear. I believe in what will happen will happen." This belief for Kristian is a pillar that enables her to continue to expand and grow the BLK + GRN brand.

The remainder of the year has a new website being launched for BLK + GRN. The new launch will make the process even more streamlined for consumers to find what they need and know where to look. Starting next year, Kristian plans to continue to build the team with the intention of bringing on a grant writer. She also believes there is a market for corporate gifting that is untapped potential for her artisan partners. "Businesses have made commitments to supporting black-owned businesses, but don't know how or where to look. We can be the bridge and make it a seamless conversion while connecting our artisans' products with these businesses. Win-win for all!", Kristian explained.

Kristian explained that her ultimate crystal ball for BLK + GRN is to have warehouses in multiple countries. The ability to provide products across the world would be so impactful in her mind. We ended our conversation with Kristian asking her what piece of advice she would share, "Trust yourself. We tend to know things even if it doesn't make sense or we can't explain the logic, our intuition is strong. There is a reason you're being led the way you're being led. Follow the path and trust yourself."

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Kristian also offers a Course, "Retail Ready", where she helps startups. If interested you can visit it here for more information.

Interested in being featured with "Together Talks"?

KLS is booking our upcoming schedule now!

Contact us as we would love to learn your story and share it amongst our audience.

Weekly we provide 2 companies our platform to expand their reach courtesy of our campaign. Let's collaborate!!!

In Closing

KLS wants to thank BLK + GRN and the Founder, Kristian Edwards, for today's "Together Talks" feature. Keep up to date with BLK + GRN by following their blog on their website, check it out here. Follow along for the BLK + GRN journey with their social handles below!

LinkedIn / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Kristian's LinkedIn

Also check out the BLK + GRN Podcast here!