tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { cat: 'fashion-beauty', Gardner, the co-founder of the hair care company Soft Sheen Products Inc., died Monday surrounded by family. In 1996, the Gardners established an 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. Gardner will remain at the helm of Soft Sheen. Peyrelongue and Gardner are unsure of the impact on employee rolls. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1', 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. B.E. Suite 3200 Copyright 2023 inkl. So he worked as a part time salesman selling beauty products to salons. 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. Please check your email for confirmation from us. Son of Edward George and Betty Ann (Gueno) Gardner. As the Gardner family began to grow, Mr. Gardner, an educator by profession, began to seek other avenues to generate additional income. If he wasnt at work, he was home with family. Since the 1970s, its flagship product Black Enterprise magazine has covered African-American businesses with a readership of 3.7 million. Read news from 100s of titles, curated specifically for you. Conditioning was particularly important to preserve the health of black hair, which tended to dry out under the stress of styling and chemical processing. Another of her initiatives involved restructuring and consolidating the company's warehouse operations, a move that increased on-time shipments and improved service levels. It bothered him deeply that when he saw construction projects on the South Side, often the workers werent Black. Mr. Gardner told the Chicago Citizen that he and Mrs. Gardner are blessed to have been honored for their many contributions over the years. Mr. Gardner was also a well-known philanthropist. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', We bring news that matters to your inbox, to help you stay informed and entertained. He was the embodiment of the hard-working, family-focused, responsible Black father. As the oldest, I think I spent the most time with him as a child. subcat: '', L'Oreal found it shared a lot "in common values" with Soft Sheen, he added. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! Gary Gardner. 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. }); !function(n){if(!window.cnx){window.cnx={},window.cnx.cmd=[];var t=n.createElement('iframe');t.display='none',t.onload=function(){var n=t.contentWindow.document,c=n.createElement('script');c.src='//cd.connatix.com/connatix.player.js',c.setAttribute('async','1'),c.setAttribute('type','text/javascript'),n.body.appendChild(c)},n.head.appendChild(t)}}(document); The pioneering Gardners saw the opportunity to offer better products to people of color and, taking matters into their own hands, began experimenting with shampoo and pomade 'recipes.'. In 2012, at age 87, Gardner organized more than 1,000 protesters in response to a South Side construction sites lack of Black workers. 'We saw a strategic partner with muscle through which we could fulfill our vision for the company,' she said. WebSoft Sheen was sold to hair care giant L'Oreal for over $100 million (US). 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. Education Bachelor of Science, University Illinois, Chicago, 1975. Soft Sheen's already exponential sales growth got a further boost in the 1980s from the widespread vogue of the 'Jheri-curl' hairstyle. Harold Washington Edward G. Gardner, co-founder of Soft Sheen Products, died Monday. Source: International Directory of Company Histories, Vol. 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. '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. As it turned out, Gardner's slowing-down tactics were timely. In a September 1998 interview with Black Enterprise, Gardner explained the company's decision to join L'Oreal. 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 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. Its an entrepreneurial quality that allowedhim to create a business despite the challenges of institutional and individual racism. 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. According to CBS News, a private family service is planned. Principal Competitors: Alberto-Culver Company; Carson Inc.; Massimo Enterprises Inc.; Revlon, Inc. ". Master of Business Administration, Northwestern University, 1980. page_type: 'article', His survivors also include two other children, Guy and Tracy, his wife, seven grandchildren and a great-grandson, the Sun-Times reports. Ed Gardner was a well-known and admired businessman. He was my father, my hero, my teacher, said Gary Gardner, one of Mr. Gardners four children. See Photos. aid: '864241', Once again, the Gardners started thinking about selling their 33-year-old business. In 1987, Soft Sheen moved to compensate for diminishing domestic sales by expanding its presence in overseas markets. Soft Sheen Products officially launched in 1964 while Mr. Gardner was still an assistant principal at a local school. Gardner and his wife Bettiann founded the company in 1964. 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. Black Enterprise is a black-owned multimedia company. pos: 'right_rail_3', In fact, retailers account for approximately 75 percent of its sales, and salons for 20 percent. Edward G. Gardner was a humanitarian, a philanthropist, and a successful businessman, who loved the city of Chicago and Chicago loved him in return. The new signage will hang at 87th and Dobson near the site of the former home of Soft Sheen Products. As consumers, we often take for granted all the hard work that goes into building a great company. 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. Most importantly, he taught me how to engage all people with humanity and humility, said Gary Gardner. Beauticians would tell him what they liked, didnt like or what they wished they could buy. 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. If you saw Ed Gardner out after work or on weekends, he had us, his children, in tow. He was 98, his family said. He also cut operational costs, in an effort to boost profits. WebTen-year-old Gary Gardner, Soft Sheen s future president, mixed Soft Sheen Hair and Scalp Conditioner and demonstrated it at trade shows. The entrepreneur created Soft Sheens first Hair and Scalp conditioner. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', 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. He taught me the value of a strong work ethic. 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. 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. The Soft Sheen Products co-founder was a devoted advocate of Chicagos African-American community. Member of American Health and Beauty Aids Institute. You dont replace crime by keep on adding more policemen, Mr. Gardner said of the problem. Mr. Gardner, the son of a warehouse worker and a seamstress, had to overcome much in his early years. Get the best business coverage in Chicago, from breaking news to razor-sharp analysis, in print and online. James Gunn names decisive factor in Marvel re-hiring after Guardians of the Galaxy 3 sacking, Director was fired and rehired on the hit Marvel franchise, Fauci says the general public somehow didnt get his messaging that the vulnerable are really, really heavily weighted toward the elderly, Did we say hat the elderly were much more vulnerable? My father saw the untapped potential of his community. Ed Gardner was a well-known and admired businessman. Their interim leader Terri Gardner, however, was no mere figurehead. Soft Sheen Products Inc., a relatively small Chicago-based company, will help its new parent fill that hole. 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. The post Soft Sheen co-founder, civic leader Edward Gardner dies appeared first on TheGrio. At Harley-Davidson, a repo shortage is hitting the bottom line, Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson names more appointees to transition subcommittees, Booth, Kellogg top the U.S. News ranking of best MBA programs, Big Fulton Market apartment project moves forward with $125 million loan, New lawsuit over 'brazen' moves in Maple & Ash restaurant feud. From a young age, his four children, Gary, Terri, Guy, and Tracy, along with his wife Bettiann, were intricately involved in the business. 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. 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. See Photos. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Agreement. 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. The company's presence in overseas markets was also likely to increase, supported by L'Oreal's vast global reach. Dismayed by the level of violence in the community, in the 1980s he created the non- profit organization, Black On Black Love. In addition to battling the soft market and growing competition, Soft Sheen was also struggling with internal problems. I was his assistant when he made product deliveries. ]); 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. The gentle, conditioning Optimum Care quickly became the industry's best-selling relaxer. The New Regal Theater brought major acts like Gladys Knight and newcomers like Kanye West and Tyler Perry to audiences on the citys South Side. Gardner and his wife Bettiann founded the company in 1964. aid: '864241', "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. WebGardner, Gary Edward was born on August 22, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. In 1994, the company posted only a .6 percent increase over 1993 sales. 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. Yes. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', His and his wifes love of theater inspired him to re-create one of Chicagos most historic entertainment venues, the Regal Theater. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', Finally, we can read about how these great companies came about with Company Histories.. 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. 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. He also taught me how to make mistakes. Instead of flowers, donations to Chicago State University can be made here. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chicago State University, https://www.csu.edu/foundation/donate.htm. Did we say it over and over and over again? Masthead. His survivors also include two other children, Guy and Tracy, his wife, seven grandchildren and a great-grandson, the Sun-Times reports. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; The house in which he died Monday was two houses down from the home where he grew up, his family said. Namaste's seven-item line -- priced from $7 to $13 -- includes fertilizing serum, fertilizing balm, hair "mayonnaise" and carrot oil. To boost sales, she doubled the company's advertising budget, and began developing new television commercials. 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. In 2000, Ed converted an 84,600 sq. He overcame it. He loaned his creative staff, along with significant advertising dollars, to create the signature voter registration campaign, Come Alive October 5. 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. CHICAGO (CBS) -- Many are mourning the loss of Edward Gardner, a Chicago titan in business and philanthropy. Pet Experts Reveal How to Help. Three boys and one girl: Gary, Guy, Tracy and Terri. } Food -- how it is prepared and consumed -- can be a reflection of social status. E-mail oureditor Soft Sheen Products Inc. is the top U.S. producer of ethnic hair care products. Words of remembrance and condolences are invited at Edward Gardner In Memoriam Facebook Group page https://www.facebook.com/groups/3117330031746372 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. 1-877-812-1590, Companies scramble to keep abortion off annual meeting agendas, With WWE deal, Ari Emanuel doubles down on contact sports, Gunman kills three at Michigan State; suspect found dead, Sponsored Content: Food insecurity set to grow as emergency SNAP benefits end, Outcome Health execs convicted in federal fraud case, The Most Powerful Women In Chicago Business. Shaking in dogs could mean a number of different things. On Thursday, the lives and efforts of these civic pillars were celebrated by hundreds of people including dignitaries, public officials, and former Soft Sheen employees. }).render('ba25868856a746c68da2b09b1b55bc48'); Soft Sheen started as a garage-based business and grew to an international empire that influenced how people all over the world beautified themselves. Soft Sheen will become a division of Cosmair while L'Oreal will expand its ethnic research and development activities to Chicago. Principal Subsidiaries: Dyke & Dryden, Ltd. (U.K.; 66%); Soft Sheen Products, Ltd. (Jamaica); Soft Sheen International. 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. Another major product introduction soon followed. tude.cmd.push(function() { But he says while the couple were busy making their imprint, they had no idea they affected so many people. They eventually moved into an old factory at 87th and Dobson and renovated the building that would become Soft Sheens new campus. I feel blessed to have had Ed Gardner as my father. Soft Sheen markets its products in several countries, including Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean, as well as in the United States. In 1964, he left a career as a popular teacher and assistant principal to Registry of Corporate Directors. Jul 1984 - Present38 years 10 months. env: 'prod', Gardners death was confirmed by his children in a statement. All rights reserved. The grassroots organization has been a staple in Chicagos activist community for decades. Mr. Gardner sold the business in 1998. Peyrelongue and Gardner are unsure of the impact on employee rolls. He believed that with access to opportunity, hard work, a quality education and safe neighborhoods, there is nothing we cant achieve.. Black Men XCEL Unfortunately, those challenges never went away in spite of his tremendous business success.. env: 'prod', kw: 'mandc,black-haircare,edward-g-gardner,hair-products,haircare,soft-sheen-products', }); EVENTS 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 Simultaneously, his wife Denise resigned from her position as vice-president of marketing. He taught me how to build, how to fix things, how to drive, and how not to drive. By the middle of 1995, Soft Sheen's stalled growth led the Gardners to begin questioning the wisest course of action for the company's future. Our purpose in this world wasnt to make money, wasnt to build a gigantic factory and hire a lot of people, Mr. Gardner said. Find your friends on Facebook. He made his own way.. Betty and Ed Gardner celebrate their street dedication ceremony with members of the Illinois legislature and Chicago City Council. In fact, he created a nonprofit organization called Black On Black Love to address violence. He employs fewer than 25 administrators and marketers and outsources manufacturing and packaging operations, sources say. At twelve, he took me to work with him on Saturdays, where I learned to make hair products. 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.
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