Ed Gardner was a well-known and admired businessman. Edward G. Gardner, a breakthrough businessman in the beauty industry and co-founder of Soft Sheen Products, has passed away, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. Gary Gardner. All he needed to know was that you thought he couldnt do something, and that would make him do it even more, Terri Gardner said. The slowdown was largely due to a consumer trend toward shorter and drier hairstyles, which required fewer styling products. See Photos. Our purpose in life was to do all we possibly can that God (put) us here to do to make life better for all human beings. "L'Oreal is, in fact, a company that was started by a man and his wife, and that's basically the story of Soft Sheen," said Terri Gardner, president of Soft Sheen and daughter of the company's founder. Ed Gardner was a well-known and admired businessman. Copyright (c) 2022 Company-Histories.com. "Gary and Denise have found another category where there is a tremendous need, another major niche," says Lafayette Jones, president and CEO of industry consulting firm Segmented Marketing Services Inc. in North Carolina. Beloved Chicago philanthropist Edward Gardner, the co-founder of Soft Sheen Products hair care company, died Monday at age 98, CBS News reports. They eventually moved into an old factory at 87th and Dobson and renovated the building that would become Soft Sheens new campus. For more than half a century, the family has shared their husband, father, father-in- law, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather proudly and unselfishly with the world. Dallas/Fort Worth Area. Beloved Chicago philanthropist Edward Gardner, the co-founder of Soft Sheen Products hair care company, died Monday at age 98, CBS News reports. Beloved Chicago philanthropist Edward Gardner, the co-founder of Soft Sheen Products hair care company, died Monday at age 98, CBS News reports. Gardner, the co-founder of the hair care company Soft Sheen Products Inc., died Monday surrounded by family. 1979: Soft Sheen introduces Care Free Curl, causing revenues to increase dramatically. 1985: Gary Gardner becomes president and CEO of Soft Sheen. 1996: Gary Gardner resigns, and is replaced by his sister, Terri Gardner. Soft Sheen Products Inc. is the top U.S. producer of ethnic hair care products. He also taught me how to make mistakes. Subscribe to Newsletter Another major product introduction soon followed. In addition to his son Gary and daughter Terri, survivors include two other children, Guy and Tracy, and his wife, Bettiann, seven grandchildren and a great-grandson. INFORMATION Melbourne (AFP) - Coach Eddie Jones insisted Monday he had enough time to transform the Wallabies into a World Cup winning team, boosted by the imminent return of some key players from injury. He eventually resigned from the position to wholeheartedly focus on the familys business and launch the line nationwide. WebMr. When you not only told us not to hurt and harm each other but to love each other You were trying to pastor us and nobody was ready to hear it, Pfleger said. His enterprise still isn't widely known, even among ethnic hair care industry executives and consultants. WELCOME TO THE FAMILY! The line is being distributed nationwide through retailers including the nation's largest beauty supply chain, Sally Beauty Co. Consumer interest in the products was not overwhelming but was enough to keep the Gardners plugging away at their slowly growing business. Staying current is easy with Crain's news delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge. The product wasnt exactly an overnight success but after taking advice from hairstylists and others in the industry, Gardner was able to eventually tweak the formula to perfection. Gardner will remain at the helm of Soft Sheen. Michael L. Pfleger of St. Sabina Church said the Gardners warned of the impending violence in Chicago years agobut their pleas fell on deaf ears. Meanwhile, Soft Sheen continued to introduce new products. These operational shortcomings, along with adverse market conditions, put the brakes on Soft Sheen's sales growth. Soft Sheen finished 1997 with sales of $94.5 million. After pan-bashing, France's Macron faces Labour Day protests. Did we say it over and over and over again? In 1992, his in-house communication agency, led by his daughter Terri, created a second highly successful voter registration campaign in partnership with Project Vote, led by Barack Obama. cat: 'fashion-beauty', Three boys and one girl: Gary, Guy, Tracy and Terri. If he wasnt at work, he was home with family. Gary baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; He taught me how to engage people with humanity and humility., Gardners daughter, Terri, said: My father saw the untapped potential of his community. Impressed with Terri Gardner's leadership abilities, the Soft Sheen board of directors asked her to fill the president and CEO positions on a permanent basis. The post Soft Sheen co-founder, civic leader Edward Gardner dies appeared first on TheGrio. If there was a violent event where someone was at the hospital and needed help, he would write a check to that family, Gardners son, Gary Gardner said, the Sun-Times reports. In 2012, at age 87, Gardner organized more than 1,000 protesters in response to a South Side construction sites lack of Black workers. Gardner, the co-founder of the hair care company Soft Sheen Products Inc., died Monday surrounded by family. He was 98, his family said. B.E. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. A private family service is planned. 130 E. Randolph St. My father saw the untapped potential of his community. env: 'prod', Women of Power Summit Throughout the decades, Eds faith in God and humanity, and his belief in the power of the written word to stop the violence, persisted. He was 98. See Photos. If there was a violent event where someone was at the hospital and needed help, he would write a check to that family, Gary Gardner said. The company had also lagged in product development, not introducing a major new product for more than two years. Unfortunately, the domestic market for ethnic hair care products remained in its slump, with hairstyles still tending toward a more natural, less time-intensive look. The 27-year-old Gary Gardner had been involved with Soft Sheen since its earliest days, when he and his siblings helped their parents by filling shampoo bottles. The company expected its global expansion to drive sales up to $150 million by the middle of the 1990s. In May, the family hired a financial advisory firm to review Soft Sheen's options, prompting a flurry of rumors that the company was for sale. The company's presence in overseas markets was also likely to increase, supported by L'Oreal's vast global reach. Industry insiders speculate that Mr. Gardner, flush with cash from the sale of the family business, is funding Namaste by himself. Ed Gardners greatest contribution to the city he loved was doing everything he could to help Chicago elect its first Black Mayor, Harold Washington, in 1983. Mr. Gardner died Monday at his home near 91st Street and Michigan Avenue, where he spent all but four of his 98 years, his family said. He was 98 years old. We bring news that matters to your inbox, to help you stay informed and entertained. He served in the Army during World War II and later took advantage of the GI Bill to get a bachelors degree at Chicago Teachers College, now Chicago State University, and a masters in education from the University of Chicago. The company sells its products to salons, beauty supply houses, and such retailers as drug stores and department stores. SistersInc. Most importantly, he taught me how to engage all people with humanity and humility, said Gary Gardner. If there was a violent event where someone was at the hospital and needed help, he would write a check to that family, Gardners son, Gary Gardner said, the Sun-Times reports. In fact, he created a nonprofit organization called Black On Black Love to address violence. Pet Experts Reveal How to Help. Another of her initiatives involved restructuring and consolidating the company's warehouse operations, a move that increased on-time shipments and improved service levels. Conditioning was particularly important to preserve the health of black hair, which tended to dry out under the stress of styling and chemical processing. Soft Sheen co-founder, civic leader Edward Gardner dies. Three boys and one girl: Gary, Guy, Tracy and Terri. Mr. Gardner was a well-known philanthropist and activist. kw: 'mandc,black-haircare,edward-g-gardner,hair-products,haircare,soft-sheen-products', To ensure that the company did not outgrow its capabilities, Gardner deliberately decelerated. WebEdward Gardner passed away peacefully Monday March 20, 2023, surrounded by family, and loved ones. But about six months ago, Namaste began an aggressive marketing campaign for its Organic Root Stimulator products that included advertising in Essence, Ebony and Jet magazines. L'Oreal found it shared a lot "in common values" with Soft Sheen, he added. Gary Gardner. Like every other event involving a red carpet these days, the White House Correspondents Association Dinner has become yet another opportunity to use a moment of image-making to generate conversation and influence public opinion. I was his assistant when he made product deliveries. In 1994, the company posted only a .6 percent increase over 1993 sales. We will introduce items that will grow every category we compete in, from hair color through relaxers, styling aids, conditioners, and wave products.'. Economic Equity & Racial Justice Townhall Series, Elevate Black Podcast sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, 100 Founders of Change by American Express, Chasing Success Podcast by JP Morgan Chase, Black Business Month Sponsored by Nationwide, 2022 Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing, 2021 BE Registry Of Corporate Directors Listing. He was 98. They are marketed under various brand names, including Alternatives, Baby Love, Care Free Curl, Frizz Free, as well as Sportin' Waves, Wave Nouveau, and Optimum Care. subcat: '', Son of Edward George and Betty Ann (Gueno) Gardner. The product itself offered styling flexibility and a unique 'moisture retention complex' that conditioned the hair and protected it from heat styling and chemical processing applications. Its 200-plus products include shampoos, conditioners, relaxers, perms, and gels. Despite such optimistic predictions, Soft Sheen did not have great success in penetrating foreign markets, and domestic sales continued to make up the great bulk of its revenues. The increased consumer use of gels, sprays, and moisturizers, in tandem with the continued sales growth of the Care Free Curl and Optimum Care lines, elevated Soft Sheen's sales to $87.2 million in 1989. He believed that with access to opportunity, hard work, a quality education and safe neighborhoods, there is nothing we cant achieve.. Harold Washington Edward G. Gardner, co-founder of Soft Sheen Products, died Monday. Last year, the $80-million Chicago-based company was sold to French cosmetics giant L'Oreal SA for an estimated $100 million-plus. In the 1980s, Ed and his wife Bettiann became co-owners of the Chicago Bulls basketball team, cementing their love for Chicago and its award-winning franchise. In 1987, Soft Sheen moved to compensate for diminishing domestic sales by expanding its presence in overseas markets. It acquired 66 percent of Dyke and Dryden, Ltd., a London-based manufacturer of ethnic hair care products and the largest black-owned business in Europe. More and more, large cosmetics firms were looking for a share of the ethnic market by adding their own ethnic product lines or acquiring smaller black hair-care companies. Dyke and Dryden distributed its products in the United Kingdom and in Africa, giving Soft Sheen solid entry into a market of approximately 440 million potential customers. In 1964, he left a career as a popular teacher and assistant principal to start a haircare company, Soft Sheen Products, Inc. with his wife Bettiann. He was born with the inner vision to see the world differently, but more importantly, to see and make a difference to what he saw, said another of his children, Gary Gardner. Gary Gardner described the goings on in the family kitchen as somewhere between a science lab and a cooking experiment.. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! As the years went by, the Gardners continued to work hard and Soft Sheen flourished. The Gardners' company, Evergreen Park-based Namaste Laboratories LLC, is the first producer to target this highly specialized ethnic market through both salons and retail stores. 'Going forward, this opportunity will magnify Soft Sheen's success on multiple levels,' she observed. Background Gardner, Gary Edward was born on August 22, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He donated tens of thousands of dollars to causes that sought to end gun violence; to that end, he helped create the nonprofit organization Black On Black Love. As it turned out, Gardner's slowing-down tactics were timely. In 1996, Gardner stepped down from her position as president of Brainstorm Communications when she was appointed president of Soft Sheen Products, Inc., succeeding her older brother, Gary E. Gardner, who resigned to start his own ethnic hair care company, Namaste Laboratories. In the late 1980s, the ethnic hair care market began to soften, with overall industry growth slowing to around three percent a year. Master of Business Administration, Northwestern University, 1980. Its distribution system was inefficient and slow, with orders taking ten days to be filled. ft. warehouse at 95th & Cottage Grove into House of Kicks, a family entertainment and educational complex. He taught me to garden. The gentle, conditioning Optimum Care quickly became the industry's best-selling relaxer. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; As a side job, Gardner would personally deliver the products out of the back of his car to beauty salons on Chicagos South Side, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Gardners charitable contributions were in the tens of thousands of dollars to fight gun violence. In 2007, after 16-year-old Blair Holt was shot and killed while riding the bus home from school, Ed Gardner purchased thousands of dollars worth of billboards with messages about Black-on- Black Love. Edward Gardners early efforts at making Black hair care products started in the family kitchen, with his wifes pots and pans. Soft Sheen founder Ed Gardner meets with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel over lack of blacks in construction jobs, Hair discrimination laws: A reprieve from the crime of knowing and loving ourselves. He was my father, my hero, my teacher, Gary Gardner said in a news release. Gardiner and his wife, Bettiann, founded Soft Sheen in 1964. By May 1997, Soft Sheen had released two new lines, Mizani and Hair Werks, that were designed exclusively for use in salons. In 1987, Soft Sheen moved to compensate for diminishing domestic sales by expanding its presence in overseas markets. Its founders, Edward and Bettiann Gardner, began the business when they became aware that there was a decided lack of hair care products formulated for people of color. See Photos. That drove him to anger, said Gary Gardner. Peyrelongue and Gardner are unsure of the impact on employee rolls. The Gardners claim Namaste's growth occurred through listening to the needs and desires of customers for healing hair care products that reminded them of nourishing household remedies. Two of the company's early products were Soft Sheen Hair & Scalp Conditioner and Miss Cool Five Minute Fast Set, a quick-setting lotion that eliminated the need for sleeping in rollers. url: 'honoring,the,legacy,of,a,great,chicagoan,and,black,business,giant,edward,g,gardner,passes,away,at,98', He made his own way.. targeting: { He firmly believed promoting self-love and self-respect could change hearts, and the organization created No Crime Day to celebrate those principles and promote peace. I feel blessed to have had Ed Gardner as my father. At twelve, he took me to work with him on Saturdays, where I learned to make hair products. Ads tout the products' natural ingredients, herbs and vitamins. Gardner, a co-founder of Soft Sheen Products Inc., died Monday at his home in the West Chesterfield neighborhood, where he spent almost all of his life. (L to R) Back row: State Rep. Marcus Evans (33), Alderman Michelle Harris (8) and State Sen. Jacqueline Collins (16). View our. All rights reserved. In 1964, he left a career as a popular teacher and assistant principal to start a haircare company, Soft Sheen Products, Inc. with his wife Bettiann. Mr. Gardner declined a request for an interview with a curt "I'm not going to talk to you about it.". At some point during his tenure as a salesman, Mr. Gardner learned that Black salons were unhappy with the limited supply of beauty products available to the African American consumer and therefore decided to take matters into his own hands. Source: International Directory of Company Histories, Vol. It took 15 years for the business to thrive, but the company that began in 1964, would eventually expand across the Midwest and then the nation perhaps best known for the product, Care Free Curl. You replace crime by realizing that as a mother and as a father you have a responsibility to do all you can to give that child the best chance for a happy life. Get the best business coverage in Chicago, from breaking news to razor-sharp analysis, in print and online. He taught me the value of a strong work ethic.. The new signage will hang at 87th and Dobson near the site of the former home of Soft Sheen Products. No one calls it the nerd prom anymore. We see them around but we don't know what goes on behind the scenes. } He often stated his primary reason for establishing Soft Sheen Products, Inc., was to create employment opportunities for young Black and Brown men and women. He reduced employment 27 percent, to 620 employees, between 1984 and 1988 by not replacing workers who left. A private family service is planned. Although the company refused to release the price of the acquisition, industry analysts estimated it at more than $160 million. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! About The company produces embroidery application softtware for the craft and industrial market. Black Enterprise is a black-owned multimedia company. The creator and founder of Soft Sheen hair care products held many titles in his long life, but his family said his legacy will be in his dedication to others. He got up early in the morning, telling us Were not going to make it this way meaning lets get to work. These industry giants, with their vast distribution networks and their huge marketing budgets, were formidable competitors. As a patron of the arts, Gardner and his wife were instrumental in the development of the New Regal Theater (now the Avalon Regal Theater) a noted venue for Black performers. Edward Gardner passed away peacefully Monday March 20, 2023, surrounded by family, and loved ones. } Edward G. Gardner, co-founder of Soft Sheen Products and precious philanthropist, dead at 98 by Elwood Hill March 22 2023 Edward G. Gardner's hair care line began in his home basement and grew to be one the largest Black-owned organizations of its kind in the country. The popularity of Care Free Curl drove revenues up at an almost unbelievable pace, from $500,000 in 1979 to $55 million by 1982. tag: 'mandc,black-haircare,edward-g-gardner,hair-products,haircare,soft-sheen-products', Frizz Free was the first frizz control product made specifically for ethnic women by an ethnic hair-care products company. St. James Press, 2000. Masthead. url: 'honoring,the,legacy,of,a,great,chicagoan,and,black,business,giant,edward,g,gardner,passes,away,at,98', div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', New products, new innovations and new ideas propelled Soft Sheens remarkable success, yet, while keeping an eye on his business, his heart was always with the people especially the youth. Soft Sheen markets its products in several countries, including Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean, as well as in the United States. CHICAGO (CBS) -- Many are mourning the loss of Edward Gardner, a Chicago titan in business and philanthropy. } In July 1998, L'Oreal announced that it planned to open a specialized research and development center in Chicago dedicated to ethnic products, the only such R & D center in the world. Soft Sheen scored another success in the late 1980s, when it introduced Optimum Care, a relaxer kit that allowed salon stylists to straighten and condition hair at the same time. Soft Sheen Products officially launched in 1964 while Mr. Gardner was still an assistant principal at a local school. It bothered him deeply that when he saw construction projects on the South Side, often the workers werent Black. The Soft Sheen Products co-founder was a devoted advocate of Chicagos African-American community. Beauticians would tell him what they liked, didnt like or what they wished they could buy. Our purpose in this world wasnt to make money, wasnt to build a gigantic factory and hire a lot of people, Mr. Gardner said. Registry of Corporate Directors. See Photos. aid: '864241', In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chicago State University, https://www.csu.edu/foundation/donate.htm. He got teased a lot, Terri Gardner said. The house in which he died Monday was two houses down from the home where he grew up, his family said. page_type: 'article', By the late 1980s, the company was one of the largest Black-owned beauty brands in the country. subcat: '', A lifelong resident of the Chicagos South Side, Gardner is the retired president and co-founder of Namast Laboratories, the nations largest minority-owned hair care company and the former president of Soft Sheen Products, Inc. CCCs seven-member board, serve three-year terms as appointed by the Mayor of Chicago with Contact Principal Competitors: Alberto-Culver Company; Carson Inc.; Massimo Enterprises Inc.; Revlon, Inc. Blitzing the city with banners, print and radio advertisements, the campaign registered over 200,000 new voters and helped secure Harold Washingtons victory. To boost sales, she doubled the company's advertising budget, and began developing new television commercials. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Agreement. Food -- how it is prepared and consumed -- can be a reflection of social status. of Chicago Law School, 2000 Ronald G. Garriques cat: 'fashion-beauty', He was also a board member of Chicago United and The Chicago Urban League, as well as co-owner of the Chicago Bulls. Mr. Gardner persevered, later moving to his garage in the West Chesterfield neighborhood, and by the 1980s, owning one of the largest and most successful Black hair care companies in the United States, Soft Sheen Products. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', url: 'honoring,the,legacy,of,a,great,chicagoan,and,black,business,giant,edward,g,gardner,passes,away,at,98', Terri Gardner. The answer seemed to lie, first, in research and development. Once the Soft Sheen acquisition was complete, L'Oreal began strategizing how to best grow its new subsidiary and expand its beachhead in the ethnic market. The grassroots organization has been a staple in Chicagos activist community for decades. He was the embodiment of the hard-working, family-focused, responsible Black father. And now his work is done; he belongs to the ages. I looked up to him Gary Gardner stated on Wednesday. Popularized by recording artist Michael Jackson, the wet-looking, loosely curled style required a whole host of hair care products to achieve and maintain. She made good on her promise. pos: 'right_rail_1', Hair care companies of that time catered almost exclusively to the Caucasian market, and non-Caucasians essentially had to make do with products that were not chemically designed for their hair. We never got the wax out of the pan. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. L'Oreal, which had a reputation for heavy investment in research and development, expected its new Chicago center to be operational by the year 2001. In India, where 42 million women have the disease, cultural stigmas can make the delay even longer, Why Is My Dog Shaking? } In early 1999, the company unveiled Frizz Free, an anti-frizzing product that contained conditioners and oils to combat dryness and damage. } He also cut operational costs, in an effort to boost profits. She also hired a third-party company to maintain inventory and positioning of Soft Sheen's products in retail stores. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. "We felt that when we looked at Soft Sheen we saw a great team of people, and we felt if we were able to acquire that expertise and build that expertise, we would have a much better chance of attaining our goals.". He helped elect the citys first Black mayor, Harold Washington, in 1983 loaning the Washington campaign his creative staff as well as helping fund a voter registration campaign. Mr. Gardner was also a well-known philanthropist. As consumers, we often take for granted all the hard work that goes into building a great company. ]); } In early 1996, Gary Gardner resigned from his post as Soft Sheen president. In that same spirit, he continued his commitment to support the livelihood of professional cosmetologists by ensuring that his most popular product system, Care Free Curl, was solely available for purchase and application by them. He was a part-owner of the Chicago Bulls, and for many years, attended every home game. The entrepreneur created Soft Sheens first Hair and Scalp conditioner. Last month he signed a law to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, despite months of strikes, One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites, Philippines, China to discuss fishing rights in South China Sea-Marcos. My mother let him know that the pans were off limits because we needed to eat.. Read news from 100s of titles, curated specifically for you. Since the 1970s, its flagship product Black Enterprise magazine has covered African-American businesses with a readership of 3.7 million. According to CBS News, a private family service is planned. And in 2012, at the age of 87 and walking with a cane, he led a protest down Western Avenue, his son said. targeting: { . Principal Subsidiaries: Dyke & Dryden, Ltd. (U.K.; 66%); Soft Sheen Products, Ltd. (Jamaica); Soft Sheen International. only a slight increase over 1996, despite new product introductions and improvements in operational efficiency.
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