Finally, we can read about how these great companies came about with Company Histories.. Find your friends on Facebook. His and his wifes love of theater inspired him to re-create one of Chicagos most historic entertainment venues, the Regal Theater. Privacy Policy He believed that with access to opportunity, hard work, a quality education and safe neighborhoods, there is nothing we cant achieve.. He believed in himself and his ability to not just hope things worked out, but to make sure things worked out. 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. 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. In 2001, After retiring from business, Gardner trained as a spiritual leader and social worker in keeping with her roots of community action. 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. To ensure that the company did not outgrow its capabilities, Gardner deliberately decelerated. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { } Had America and those in power listened to the Gardners we wouldnt have the murder in our streets that we have right now, if theyd listen to your voice. 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. Soft Sheen co-founder, civic leader Edward Gardner dies - Yahoo It bothered him deeply that when he saw construction projects on the South Side, often the workers werent Black. That's how executives, speaking publicly for the first time since the acquisition July 1, explained the deal Thursday. Beloved Chicago philanthropist Edward Gardner, the co-founder of Soft Sheen Products hair care company, died Monday at age 98, CBS News reports. 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. He was 98 years old. He employs fewer than 25 administrators and marketers and outsources manufacturing and packaging operations, sources say. Honoring the Legacy of A Great Chicagoan and Black Business 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. Sales Partnership Solutions The house in which he died Monday was two houses down from the home where he grew up, his family said. 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. It expanded its offerings to a myriad of social services including after-school programs and employment training. Gary Gardner, scion of the family that built one of Chicago's most successful minority-owned businesses, has emerged with a new venture in ethnic hair care products that appears to have struck pay dirt. As consumers, we often take for granted all the hard work that goes into building a great company. Career Beloved Chicago philanthropist Edward Gardner, the co-founder of Soft Sheen Products hair care company, died Monday at age 98, CBS News reports. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Copyright (c) 2022 Company-Histories.com. 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. Mr. Gardner, the former CEO of Soft Sheen Products Inc., and his wife, Denise, are marketing a line of products designed to restore growth to damaged hair and relieve flaky scalps -- conditions caused by braiding and overuse of chemical-based dyes and relaxers, like the ones Soft Sheen made its fortune selling. Principal Competitors: Alberto-Culver Company; Carson Inc.; Massimo Enterprises Inc.; Revlon, Inc. He believed that with access to opportunity, hard work, a quality education and safe neighborhoods, there is nothing we can't achieve." url: 'honoring,the,legacy,of,a,great,chicagoan,and,black,business,giant,edward,g,gardner,passes,away,at,98', 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. Mr. Gardner told the Chicago Citizen that he and Mrs. Gardner are blessed to have been honored for their many contributions over the years. We never got the wax out of the pan. 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. He made his own way.. Registry of Corporate Directors. The post Soft Sheen co-founder, civic leader Edward Gardner dies appeared first on TheGrio. Harold Washington Edward G. Gardner, co-founder of Soft Sheen Products, died Monday. Beloved Chicago philanthropist Edward Gardner, the co-founder of Soft Sheen Products hair care company, died Monday at age 98, CBS News reports. 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. The company had also lagged in product development, not introducing a major new product for more than two years. Last year, the $80-million Chicago-based company was sold to French cosmetics giant L'Oreal SA for an estimated $100 million-plus. 'We grew so fast, we were afraid the franchise would be taken away from us,' Gardner said in a February 1991 interview with USA Today. "I'm very comfortable that this organization is capable of helping Soft Sheen meet the vision that we set years ago.". Meanwhile, Soft Sheen continued to introduce new products. (L to R) Back row: State Rep. Marcus Evans (33), Alderman Michelle Harris (8) and State Sen. Jacqueline Collins (16). Soft Sheen Products, Inc. Ed and Betty Gardner, the driving force behind Soft Sheen Products were honored last Thursday with a street naming dedication ceremony not too far from where their company was once located. } cnx.cmd.push(function() { Frizz Free was the first frizz control product made specifically for ethnic women by an ethnic hair-care products company. With amusement rides, bowling, mini-golf and an interactive learning center, the complex boasted the only roller coaster in Chicago at that time. The company also began selling its products in foreign markets. She developed new packaging options that helped retailers better manage their inventories, and upgraded the company's computer system to facilitate electronic customer communication. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Gardner, the co-founder of the hair care company Soft Sheen Products Inc., died Monday surrounded by family. A private family service is planned. Gardner and his wife Bettiann founded the company in 1964. Three boys and one girl: Gary, Guy, Tracy and Terri. kw: 'mandc,black-haircare,edward-g-gardner,hair-products,haircare,soft-sheen-products', The 44-year-old Mr. Gardner struck out on his own three years ago after a disagreement with family members about Soft Sheen's future. cat: 'fashion-beauty', Gardner will remain at the helm of Soft Sheen. The Citizen Newspaper Group 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. By the late 1980s, the company was one of the largest Black-owned beauty brands in the country. Soft Sheen Products Inc., a relatively small Chicago-based company, will help its new parent fill that hole. 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. Gardner If he wasnt at work, he was home with family. Soft Sheen Products, Inc. | Encyclopedia.com Now, retail outlets can't stock enough of the products. Ads tout the products' natural ingredients, herbs and vitamins. ABOUT Namaste's seven-item line -- priced from $7 to $13 -- includes fertilizing serum, fertilizing balm, hair "mayonnaise" and carrot oil. Although the company gave no official reason for the resignations, industry insiders speculated that they were due to disagreement over Soft Sheen's future course. 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. Soft Sheen co-founder, civic leader, Edward Gardner dies 1995 sales were about $94 million, considerably short of Gardner's expectations. By Stefano Esposito Updated Mar 22, 2023, 10:28am PDT Pocket All rights reserved. Unfortunately, those challenges never went away in spite of his tremendous business success.. These industry giants, with their vast distribution networks and their huge marketing budgets, were formidable competitors. Principal Subsidiaries: Dyke & Dryden, Ltd. (U.K.; 66%); Soft Sheen Products, Ltd. (Jamaica); Soft Sheen International. 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 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. Terri Gardner. 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. In early 1999, the company unveiled Frizz Free, an anti-frizzing product that contained conditioners and oils to combat dryness and damage. 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. aid: '864241', TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. WebPeople named Gary Gardner. Beauticians would tell him what they liked, didnt like or what they wished they could buy. See Photos. Management 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. Yes, yes, yes. Education Bachelor of Science, University Illinois, Chicago, 1975. 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. Black Enterprise is a black-owned multimedia company. Gary Gardner. 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. 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. See Photos. 2023 The Citizen Newspaper Group, All Rights Reserved. In fact, retailers account for approximately 75 percent of its sales, and salons for 20 percent. 'We saw a strategic partner with muscle through which we could fulfill our vision for the company,' she said. Three boys and one girl: Gary, Guy, Tracy and Terri. } Its distribution system was inefficient and slow, with orders taking ten days to be filled. 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. Hell on earth: Indias taboos around womens pain leave endometriosis sufferers in agony, Despite the pain of the condition, diagnoses take seven years on average globally. subcat: '', Did we say it over and over and over again? Meanwhile, Gardner continued giving Soft Sheen a makeover, with many of her efforts focused on improving customer relations. He eventually resigned from the position to wholeheartedly focus on the familys business and launch the line nationwide. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS 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. He reduced employment 27 percent, to 620 employees, between 1984 and 1988 by not replacing workers who left.