Gary Gardner He also cut operational costs, in an effort to boost profits. BE 100s Gardner and his wife Bettiann founded the company in 1964. To boost sales, she doubled the company's advertising budget, and began developing new television commercials. Read news from 100s of titles, curated specifically for you. The company produces embroidery application softtware for the craft and industrial market. aid: '864241', Soft Sheens Edward G. Gardner showed what Black life could be He built his family a beautiful home on the South Side of the city and co-founded a business that provided steady employment so others could do the same. I was his assistant when he made product deliveries. He was 98 years old. Born in 1925 to a warehouse worker and a seamstress in the West Chesterfield neighborhood, Gardner was a teacher and administrator for several years in Chicago Public Schools during a time when he was getting his hair care line off the ground. Gardner also took steps to revive the company's languishing product development department, hiring a new vice-president of science and technology. Its an entrepreneurial quality that allowedhim to create a business despite the challenges of institutional and individual racism. 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. Consumer interest in the products was not overwhelming but was enough to keep the Gardners plugging away at their slowly growing business. Registry of Corporate Directors. A private family service is planned. These industry giants, with their vast distribution networks and their huge marketing budgets, were formidable competitors. Education Bachelor of Science, University Illinois, Chicago, 1975. Keep in mind the child is an extension of youeverything that they do is a reflection of you. In India, where 42 million women have the disease, cultural stigmas can make the delay even longer, Why Is My Dog Shaking? Ed Gardner was a well-known and admired businessman. Copyright (c) 2022 Company-Histories.com. While Mr. Gardner worked the field and perfected new hair products, Mrs. Gardner ran the operations of their budding business by balancing books and purchasing supplies. 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. He believed that with access to opportunity, hard work, a quality education and safe neighborhoods, there is nothing we can't achieve." He believed that with access to opportunity, hard work, a quality education and safe neighborhoods, there is nothing we cant achieve.. Warning of exceptionally low staffing levels as nurses strike, NHS services across England facing major disruption after nurses walk out in 28 hour strike over pay, Bangladesh journalists living in fear after PMs enemy of the people remark, Reporters say even seemingly innocuous stories are putting them at risk of assault, intimidation and police action under the Digital Security Act, Macron Faces Labor Day Protests over Divisive Pension Law, France's President Emmanuel Macron faces more nationwide protests on Monday as he seeks to steer the country on from a divisive pension law that has sparked anger, pan-bashing and social unrest. Edward G. Gardner, Co-Founder of Soft Sheen Products, Passes Career He was my father, my hero, my teacher. He believed that with access to opportunity, hard work, a quality education and safe neighborhoods, there is nothing we cant achieve.. He taught for several years in Chicago Public Schools and was also an administrator. 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. He melted wax in one of the pans, said one of Mr. Gardners four children, Terri Gardner. It expanded its offerings to a myriad of social services including after-school programs and employment training. The Citizen Newspaper Group He employs fewer than 25 administrators and marketers and outsources manufacturing and packaging operations, sources say. 'This past year, we took some time to tend to our operations and our physical plant to make sure that we were efficient,' she said, adding, 'For 1997, we will have some major new product introductions. In the fall of 1997, the company launched Alternatives, a line of relaxers and styling products designed for younger women who varied their hairstyles from day to day. Gardner and his wife Bettiann founded the company in 1964. He taught me how to engage people with humanity and humility., Gardners daughter, Terri, said: My father saw the untapped potential of his community. url: 'honoring,the,legacy,of,a,great,chicagoan,and,black,business,giant,edward,g,gardner,passes,away,at,98', 'We saw a strategic partner with muscle through which we could fulfill our vision for the company,' she said. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies. 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. Beloved Chicago philanthropist Edward Gardner, the co-founder of Soft Sheen Products hair care company, died Monday at age 98, CBS News reports. Industry insiders speculate that Mr. Gardner, flush with cash from the sale of the family business, is funding Namaste by himself. Everything changed in 1979, however, when Soft Sheen introduced a new product called Care Free Curl. 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. Edward Gardner passed away peacefully Monday March 20, 2023, surrounded by family, and loved ones. By that point in her career, she had worked at Leo Burnett and served as Vice President at Soft Sheen Products, Inc., a family hair care and beauty company founded by her in-laws. Soft Sheen co-founder, civic leader, Edward Gardner dies The Soft Sheen Products co-founder was a devoted advocate of Chicagos African-American community. Subscribe to Newsletter Most importantly, he taught me how to engage all people with humanity and humility, said Gary Gardner. Master of Business Administration, Northwestern University, 1980. L'Oreal found it shared a lot "in common values" with Soft Sheen, he added. His survivors also include two other children, Guy and Tracy, his wife, seven grandchildren and a great-grandson, the Sun-Times reports. In the late 1980s, the ethnic hair care market began to soften, with overall industry growth slowing to around three percent a year. } tude.cmd.push(function() { I looked up to him Gary Gardner stated on Wednesday. The popularity of Care Free Curl drove revenues up at an almost unbelievable pace, from $500,000 in 1979 to $55 million by 1982. The innovative product was a phenomenal success. Gardners death was confirmed by his children in a statement. (Provided) Edward Gardners early efforts at making Black hair care products started in the family kitchen, with his Missing Crain's in print? Terri had previously served as Soft Sheen's executive vice-president of advertising, as well as president of Brainstorm Communications, the company's ad agency. Black Enterprise is a black-owned multimedia company. Gardner, the co-founder of the hair care company Soft Sheen Products Inc., died Monday surrounded by family. He was 98. Edward Gardners early efforts at making Black hair care products started in the family kitchen, with his wifes pots and pans. He rallied his troops.. The company expected its global expansion to drive sales up to $150 million by the middle of the 1990s. Edward Gardner passed away peacefully Monday March 20, 2023, surrounded by family, and loved ones. Analyst Ken Smikle, of Target Market News, said of Soft Sheen: "The industry has changed so radically that if they don't accept a sale offer now, the company's legacy may very well just be lost to the future completely. cat: 'fashion-beauty', Harold Washington Edward G. Gardner, co-founder of Soft Sheen Products, died Monday. He was 98. We will introduce items that will grow every category we compete in, from hair color through relaxers, styling aids, conditioners, and wave products.'. env: 'prod', L'Oreal S.A. is an international cosmetics company with $10 billion in annual sales, but the one hole in its portfolio has been products for people of African descent. WebOwner. WebThe 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. Analyst Ken Smikle, of Target Market News, said of Soft Sheen: subcat: '', 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. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; I feel blessed to have had Ed Gardner as my father. 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. Beloved Chicago philanthropist Edward Gardner, the co-founder of Soft Sheen Products hair care company, died Monday at age 98, CBS News reports. With this war chest, he mounted a campaign that registered more than 200,000 voters. Gary Gardner. 40 Under 40 alpha listing Source: International Directory of Company Histories, Vol. ]); The Gardners married in 1950 and from their union four children were born. Three boys and one girl: Gary, Guy, Tracy and Terri. ", The White House Correspondents Association Dinner Best Dressed. He eventually resigned from the position to wholeheartedly focus on the familys business and launch the line nationwide. ". Mr. Gardner sold the business in 1998. All rights reserved. Principal Competitors: Alberto-Culver Company; Carson Inc.; Massimo Enterprises Inc.; Revlon, Inc. 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. He made his own way.. Suite 3200 About Us ORS Hair Care Privacy Policy In early 1996, Gary Gardner resigned from his post as Soft Sheen president. After pan-bashing, France's Macron faces Labour Day protests. 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. Namaste's seven-item line -- priced from $7 to $13 -- includes fertilizing serum, fertilizing balm, hair "mayonnaise" and carrot oil. Soft Sheen started as a garage-based business and grew to an international empire that influenced how people all over the world beautified themselves. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', 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. Soft Sheen built on that success by launching a full line of Care Free Curl products, including shampoos, conditioners, gels, and sprays, that were sold both in salons and in drugstores. Edward G. Gardners hair care line started in his home basement and grew to be one the largest Black-owned businesses of its kind in the nation. The planned research and development center was almost certain to result in substantial innovations in ethnic hair care products and a steady flow of new product introductions. Yes, yes, yes. By May 1997, Soft Sheen had released two new lines, Mizani and Hair Werks, that were designed exclusively for use in salons. According to CBS News, a private family service is planned. 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. In early July 1998, Soft Sheen announced that it had agreed to be acquired by L'Oreal's New York-based U.S. subsidiary, Cosmair Inc. In September 2012, at the age of eighty-seven, Edward Gardner led over a thousand demonstrators protesting the lack of Black workers on local construction crews. B.E. WebSoft Sheen was sold to hair care giant L'Oreal for over $100 million (US). Soft Sheen finished 1997 with sales of $94.5 million. In the middle of Soft Sheen's astonishing growth spurt, Edward and Bettiann Gardner turned the company's presidency over to their oldest son, Gary. Gardner A commonly available ingredient cooked in lower- or middle-class kitchens can be seen as mediocre, but the same thing prepared by a renowned chef and served in a star-studded restaurant can be a symbol. The post Soft Sheen co-founder, civic leader Edward Gardner dies appeared first on TheGrio. Gardner Log In. That gave Mr. Gardner an idea and he began experimenting. 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. 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. Blitzing the city with banners, print and radio advertisements, the campaign registered over 200,000 new voters and helped secure Harold Washingtons victory. Gary Gardner According to Terri Gardner, One of my dads greatest qualities was his perseverance. Masthead. Mr. Gardner was a well-known philanthropist and activist. Member of American Health and Beauty Aids Institute. Soft Sheen Born in 1925 to a warehouse worker and a seamstress in the West Chesterfield neighborhood, Gardner was a teacher and administrator for several years in Chicago Public Schools during a time when he was getting his hair care line off the ground. Mr. Gardner graduated from Fenger High School. It bothered him deeply that when he saw construction projects on the South Side, often the workers werent Black. The company had also lagged in product development, not introducing a major new product for more than two years. Background Gardner, Gary Edward was born on August 22, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Gary Gardner. 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. In fact, he created a nonprofit organization called Black On Black Love to address violence. url: 'honoring,the,legacy,of,a,great,chicagoan,and,black,business,giant,edward,g,gardner,passes,away,at,98', 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. Soft Sheen Products Inc., a relatively small Chicago-based company, will help its new parent fill that hole. St. James Press, 2000. Gary Gardner. 2023 The Citizen Newspaper Group, All Rights Reserved. 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. pos: 'right_rail_3', To ensure that the company did not outgrow its capabilities, Gardner deliberately decelerated. Mr. Gardner declined a request for an interview with a curt "I'm not going to talk to you about it.". Outside of their business, the Gardners remained staunch community activists being actively involved in Harold Washingtons mayoral campaigns for example and together were members of several organizations including the Chicago Urban League and Chicago United. His enterprise still isn't widely known, even among ethnic hair care industry executives and consultants. cat: 'fashion-beauty', He stuttered as a child. No one calls it the nerd prom anymore. With the backing of L'Oreal, it was expected that Soft Sheen would grow rapidly in the coming years. "Gary slipped this line in through the back door very discreetly, but it's hot as a firecracker," says Kelly Murphy, president of New Jersey-based distributor East West Sales Network, who isn't representing Namaste's products but wishes he were. In early 1999, the company unveiled Frizz Free, an anti-frizzing product that contained conditioners and oils to combat dryness and damage. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Its distribution system was inefficient and slow, with orders taking ten days to be filled. That's how executives, speaking publicly for the first time since the acquisition July 1, explained the deal Thursday. As an activist and civic leader, Gardner raised $300,000 with Soft Sheens resources 40 years ago, according to a news release. 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. He reduced employment 27 percent, to 620 employees, between 1984 and 1988 by not replacing workers who left. Education Bachelor of Science, University Illinois, Chicago, 1975. Click below to see everything we have to offer. In 1964, at age ten, Gardner began working for the family business, Soft Sheen Products, Inc., packaging hair care items with his younger sister in the familys home in Chicago. env: 'prod', 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. Gary Gardner. Pet Experts Reveal How to Help. The slowdown was largely due to a consumer trend toward shorter and drier hairstyles, which required fewer styling products. 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. INFORMATION View our. 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. . He was 98 years old. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! Disagreement or no, Gary Gardner retained his seat on the board of directors, while the company installed his sister, Terri Gardner, as interim president and CEO. Staying current is easy with Crain's news delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge. WebThe 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. Gary Gardner, President, Soft Sheen Products Inc., 1993 Elizabeth Garrett, Professor of law, deputy dean for academic affairs, Univ. Soft Sheen co-founder, civic leader Edward Gardner dies. Gardner sold the business in 1998. WebGardner began mixing hair and beauty products for blacks out of his basement during the 1940s. The Citizen Newspaper Group She developed new packaging options that helped retailers better manage their inventories, and upgraded the company's computer system to facilitate electronic customer communication. page_type: 'article', } Did we say it over and over and over again? In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chicago State University, https://www.csu.edu/foundation/donate.htm. Gardners charitable contributions were in the tens of thousands of dollars to fight gun violence. In 1994, the company posted only a .6 percent increase over 1993 sales. 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. Contact targeting: { Gardner served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II and later earned a bachelors degree from Chicago Teachers College (now Chicago State University) and a masters degree from the University of Chicago under the GI Bill. Throughout the decades, Eds faith in God and humanity, and his belief in the power of the written word to stop the violence, persisted. Targeting these 'Generation Y' consumers--which research showed to be an underserved segment of the market--Soft Sheen went for an innovative, fresh look and feel in its product packaging and ad copy. So he worked as a part time salesman selling beauty products to salons. In the early 1980s Mr. Gardner founded Black on Black Love an organization tailored towards curtailing violence in Chicago. The house in which he died Monday was two houses down from the home where he grew up, his family said. He started off on [his wifes] stove. In 1987, Soft Sheen moved to compensate for diminishing domestic sales by expanding its presence in overseas markets. See Photos. kw: 'mandc,black-haircare,edward-g-gardner,hair-products,haircare,soft-sheen-products', 1995 sales were about $94 million, considerably short of Gardner's expectations. Soft Sheen was founded in 1964, in the basement of a home on the south side of Chicago. Terri Gardner. Jones adamant Wallabies can be best in the world. cnx.cmd.push(function() { The new signage will hang at 87th and Dobson near the site of the former home of Soft Sheen Products. ]); 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. As consumers, we often take for granted all the hard work that goes into building a great company. 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. Soft Sheen's already exponential sales growth got a further boost in the 1980s from the widespread vogue of the 'Jheri-curl' hairstyle. Ed Gardner was a well-known and admired businessman. Food -- how it is prepared and consumed -- can be a reflection of social status. Click here to get the full experience on your screen. WELCOME TO THE FAMILY! Gardiner and his wife, Bettiann, founded Soft Sheen in 1964. Now, retail outlets can't stock enough of the products. Gardner owner of Soft Sheen Products, Inc. Photo provided by the Salient Group, Inc. Edward Gardner passed away peacefully Monday March 20, 2023, surrounded by family, and loved ones. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { aid: '864241', As the years went by, the Gardners continued to work hard and Soft Sheen flourished.