Conversations with Renee Edwards

Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Edwards.

Hi Renee, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Necessity is the mother of invention Author Unknown Never was this old English proverb truer than with the “birth” of my SKIN KANDII line. I’m sure most mothers can relate that it truly breaks your heart to see your children suffer, and that is just what I watched as my daughter spent most of her school years troubled with hyperpigmentation as a result of how her skin reacted to the combination of jeans and hot Florida weather. Jeans were her daily uniform because the hyperpigmentation caused extreme darkening of her knees and ankle area, and as with most teens, she didn’t want to wear something that wouldn’t completely cover this skin challenge. I spent hundreds of dollars and what seemed like just as many hours searching and trying body makeup, cover-up lotions and creams, just trying to mask this issue. Nothing, of course, worked, and nothing I found ever made things any better. I knew in my heart that there had to be something out there, so my internet search for something all-natural to at least provide those topical benefits began. Right then is when my career as a “kitchen chemist” began. My true background is in clinical research, so I put that experience to use to conduct informal research trials of the products I developed. I started with three teen-age subjects – my daughter with hyperpigmentation, a nephew with eczema and another nephew who suffered from both eczema and severely sensitive skin. I mixed oils in varying amounts, determining which do and which don’t mix well, along with various other tests. After two years of trial and error and research testing that started with teens and a year later, the adult population, SKIN KANDII was born.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a single parent with three children, my road has been everything except SMOOTH. Maintaining a full-time job, sometimes two, with High school children and starting a business? It was very trying at times. I started out working the wagon wheel flea market and selling products at many different vendor locations.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
All-Female Black-Owned Business Collective Debuts at the St. Pete Pier The 1Pier Stall at the St. Petersburg Pier is an all-female collective that reflects the power of true diversity. The nine participating retailers range in age from 28 to 58 and hail from the boroughs of New York to the beaches of the Caribbean, in addition to those born and raised here in The Burg. Most sell hand-crafted and uniquely sourced products reflecting the culture of St. Pete’s “black, beauty and beach” communities. For five of the “sublime nine” entrepreneurs, the 1Pier Stall is their first standing retail outlet, while four are seasoned retailers who are expanding their enterprises through the 1Pier pilot. Their products are as eclectic as the women themselves. Hand-painted flip flops by AGAPE Sole Shoetique; shimmering body oils by Glow Up Body Oils; the latest frame fashions by Virginia-Contour Eyewear Accessories; and Renee Edwards, Skin Kandii’s all-natural body scrubs and lip glosses are among 1Pier featured products. Our patrons can purchase hair fashion and products by Tabatha Exquisite Touch Salon; imported Kimonos from Lounge Apparel; and the signature desserts of Island Flavors and Tings (mango bread, calypso cake and Jamaican rum cake); along with the custom bling shirts and masks of InSparkleMe. For our four-legged friends, Diesel Dog Apparel provides tailored dog collars, doggie shirts and accessories. The nine ladies represent the first African American business collective to operate at one of Pinellas County’s major tourist attractions (the St. Petersburg Pier). Their venture is financially backed by their own sweat and financial equity, along with support from the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and the City of St. Petersburg. Learn more: OneCommunityStPete.com/1Pier

How do you think about happiness?
To be the first African American product in the st Petersburg store! My happiest moment ever! To be accepted by the city! Skin Kandii soon to be sold in The St Pete Store & Visitors Center St. Petersburg, Florida – As of October 25, 2017 the run-away hit brand Skin Kandii will be available on shelves in The St Pete Store & Visitors Center, a retail showcase sponsored through a partnership between the City of St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce. A ceremonial ribbon-cutting will take place October 26, 2017 at 5 p.m. on-site at The St Pete Store, 100 2nd Avenue North #150, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Renee Edwards, CEO of the two-year old company Skin Kandii, LLC, says “This is a full-circle moment for me. The Chamber and City teams have been instrumental in elevating minority-owned firms like mine. I’m proud to be part of the first graduating class of their Community Business Development Initiative.” Skin Kandii will be the first African American-manufactured product line sold in The St Pete Store. Edwards, along with several other African American entrepreneurs, completed a three-month business training series as part of the Community Business Development Initiative (CBDI) over the past year. The CBDI was funded by the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg and implemented as a partnership by the St. Petersburg Area Chamber, the City of St. Petersburg, the 2020 Plan team and others. Edwards also took part in a companion initiative supported by the same partners – the CATCH program led by the Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation (BBIC). Albert Lee, President and CEO of the BBIC, says “Renee Edwards is diligent, persistent, enthusiastic and intentional in the pursuit of making Skin Kandii, a brand that will compete in the marketplace. It was our pleasure to have her as one of our first participants in our CATCH Program.” ABOUT SKIN KANDII: Skin Kandii, LLC is a St. Petersburg-based firm that manufactures and sells a line of all-natural skincare products, including body scrubs in natural scents. As of the 2017 holiday season, Skin Kandii will be available through eight retailers in the city. Learn more at www.skinkandii.org.

Pricing:

• products are as low $12.99

Contact Info:

• Email: skinkandii01@gmail.com
• Website: www.skinkandii.org
• Instagram: SKINKANDII
• Facebook: SKINKANDII