Instead of flowers, donations to Chicago State University can be made here. learn how over 7,000 companies got started! 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. Soft Sheen's already exponential sales growth got a further boost in the 1980s from the widespread vogue of the 'Jheri-curl' hairstyle. 'We saw a strategic partner with muscle through which we could fulfill our vision for the company,' she said. 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. pos: 'right_rail_1', 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. As the years went by, the Gardners continued to work hard and Soft Sheen flourished. env: 'prod', Alvin Bragg, Manhattan district attorney leading Trump case, says rhetoric wont intimidate office, Video shows sheriffs deputies and hospital workers pinned Irvo Otieno to floor before his death, I agree to storage of my email according to, WATCH: Brittney Griner delivers remarks to the media, OPINION: The College Boards secret apology, Harry Belafonte mourned by entertainment world, Biden, Obama, Carolyn Bryant Donham, at center of Emmett Till death, dies, FIRST PERSON: For this Black mom, Ralph Yarl could have been her son. With this war chest, he mounted a campaign that registered more than 200,000 voters. 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. My father saw the untapped potential of his community. That drove him to anger, said Gary Gardner. Dismayed by the level of violence in the community, in the 1980s he created the non- profit organization, Black On Black Love. Edward Gardner passed away peacefully Monday March 20, 2023, surrounded by family, and loved ones. "My father saw the untapped potential of his community. The grassroots organization has been a staple in Chicagos activist community for decades. 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. The popularity of Care Free Curl drove revenues up at an almost unbelievable pace, from $500,000 in 1979 to $55 million by 1982. Ald. He got teased a lot, Terri Gardner said. With this war chest, he mounted a campaign that registered more than 200,000 voters. 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. Gardner will remain at the helm of Soft Sheen. According to Terri Gardner, One of my dads greatest qualities was his perseverance. We went from small mom and pop to a major player in the business, said Gary Gardner. Soft Sheen Products, Inc. In fact, he created a nonprofit organization called Black On Black Love to address violence. Your Money, Your Life, LATEST LISTS 130 E. Randolph St. Background Gardner, Gary Edward was born on August 22, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He reduced employment 27 percent, to 620 employees, between 1984 and 1988 by not replacing workers who left. See Photos. He was my father, my hero, my teacher, Gary Gardner said in a news release. He was 98. Gardner sold the business in 1998. 1995 sales were about $94 million, considerably short of Gardner's expectations. He was the embodiment of the hard-working, family-focused, responsible Black father. Pet Experts Reveal How to Help. She made good on her promise. (Provided) Edward Gardners early efforts at making Black hair care products started in the family kitchen, with his Beloved Chicago philanthropist Edward Gardner, the co-founder of Soft Sheen Products hair care company, died Monday at age 98, CBS News reports. He started off on [his wifes] stove. Popularized by recording artist Michael Jackson, the wet-looking, loosely curled style required a whole host of hair care products to achieve and maintain. See Photos. I feel blessed to have had Ed Gardner as my father. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! of Chicago Law School, 2000 Ronald G. Garriques url: 'honoring,the,legacy,of,a,great,chicagoan,and,black,business,giant,edward,g,gardner,passes,away,at,98', 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. Gardner and his wife Bettiann founded the company in 1964. 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. Get the best business coverage in Chicago, from breaking news to razor-sharp analysis, in print and online. The line is being distributed nationwide through retailers including the nation's largest beauty supply chain, Sally Beauty Co. }); !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); 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. Its an entrepreneurial quality that allowedhim to create a business despite the challenges of institutional and individual racism. Member of American Health and Beauty Aids Institute. Mr. Gardner was the marketing guru behind Soft Sheen's Care-Free Curl in the mid-1980s and the revolutionary relaxer products that followed. Copyright 2023 inkl. 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. Once again, the Gardners started thinking about selling their 33-year-old business. } env: 'prod', 31. He believed in himself and his ability to not just hope things worked out, but to make sure things worked out. cnx({ In the late 1980s, the ethnic hair care market began to soften, with overall industry growth slowing to around three percent a year. 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. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Soft Sheen finished 1997 with sales of $94.5 million. subcat: '', Under the terms of the agreement, Terri Gardner remained on as president of the Soft Sheen division and also became a member of Cosmair's executive committee. Sign Up. 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. 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. He taught me the value of a strong work ethic. Management In fact, he created a nonprofit organization called Black On Black Love to address violence. Although his Organic line isn't as widely distributed as Soft Sheen's products, it is being sold in beauty supply stores and professional salons nationwide, including industry leader Sally Beauty, owned by Melrose Park-based Alberto-Culver Inc. One Sally operator says he increased the store's monthly order of Organic products from 84 items to 336 in just four months -- and still sells out within two or three days of delivery. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-3', Son of Edward George and Betty Ann (Gueno) Gardner. Conditioning was particularly important to preserve the health of black hair, which tended to dry out under the stress of styling and chemical processing. Meanwhile, Soft Sheen continued to introduce new products. Soft Sheen co-founder, civic leader Edward Gardner dies. In addition to his son Gary, survivors include three other children, Terri, Guy and Tracy, and his wife, Bettiann. "I'm very comfortable that this organization is capable of helping Soft Sheen meet the vision that we set years ago.". 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. In 2001, After retiring from business, Gardner trained as a spiritual leader and social worker in keeping with her roots of community action. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Paris (AFP) - 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 Gardners early efforts at making Black hair care products started in the family kitchen, with his wifes pots and pans. Women of Power Summit 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. From a young age, his four children, Gary, Terri, Guy, and Tracy, along with his wife Bettiann, were intricately involved in the business. With amusement rides, bowling, mini-golf and an interactive learning center, the complex boasted the only roller coaster in Chicago at that time. Mr. Gardner was also a well-known philanthropist. url: 'honoring,the,legacy,of,a,great,chicagoan,and,black,business,giant,edward,g,gardner,passes,away,at,98', 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. Privacy Policy. 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. Soft Sheen started as a garage-based business and grew to an international empire that influenced how people all over the world beautified themselves. The slowdown was largely due to a consumer trend toward shorter and drier hairstyles, which required fewer styling products. 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. A private family service is planned. cat: 'fashion-beauty', Masthead. 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. Black Enterprise is a black-owned multimedia company. 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. BE 100s The answer seemed to lie, first, in research and development. subcat: '', He eventually resigned from the position to wholeheartedly focus on the familys business and launch the line nationwide. Principal Subsidiaries: Dyke & Dryden, Ltd. (U.K.; 66%); Soft Sheen Products, Ltd. (Jamaica); Soft Sheen International. 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. See Photos. } 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. 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 died Monday at his home near 91st Street and Michigan Avenue, where he spent all but four of his 98 years, his family said. Ed Gardner was a well-known and admired businessman. The Gardners are still active in the community today and enjoy spending time with their seven grandchildren. Finally, we can read about how these great companies came about with Company Histories.. Edward G. Gardner was a humanitarian, a philanthropist, and a successful businessman, who loved the city of Chicago and Chicago loved him in return. He believed that with access to opportunity, hard work, a quality education and safe neighborhoods, there is nothing we cant achieve. Terri Gardner. Ads tout the products' natural ingredients, herbs and vitamins. And now his work is done; he belongs to the ages. Soft Sheen Products Inc., a relatively small Chicago-based company, will help its new parent fill that hole. See Photos. 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. Shaking in dogs could mean a number of different things. He was 98 years old. 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. } 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. tude.cmd.push(function() { Edward Gardner passed away peacefully Monday March 20, 2023, surrounded by family, and loved ones. Peyrelongue and Gardner are unsure of the impact on employee rolls. 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. Gardners charitable contributions were in the tens of thousands of dollars to fight gun violence. Mr. Gardner declined a request for an interview with a curt "I'm not going to talk to you about it.". Soft Sheen's plan was to conduct a search for a new president from outside the family and thereby begin transitioning the Gardners into a purely ownership role. Terri Gardner. Gary 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. That's how executives, speaking publicly for the first time since the acquisition July 1, explained the deal Thursday. The new signage will hang at 87th and Dobson near the site of the former home of Soft Sheen Products. env: 'prod', . We see them around but we don't know what goes on behind the scenes. He made his own way.. Mr. Gardner was a well-known philanthropist and activist. Beauticians would tell him what they liked, didnt like or what they wished they could buy. 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. The company produces embroidery application softtware for the craft and industrial market. It expanded its offerings to a myriad of social services including after-school programs and employment training. 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. 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. 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 was also a board member of Chicago United and The Chicago Urban League, as well as co-owner of the Chicago Bulls. targeting: { Another of her initiatives involved restructuring and consolidating the company's warehouse operations, a move that increased on-time shipments and improved service levels. ]); In 1996, the Gardners established an Words of remembrance and condolences are invited at Edward Gardner In Memoriam Facebook Group page https://www.facebook.com/groups/3117330031746372 Around 1960, he began working for another beauty supply business and when it went bankrupt, Gardner took its customers and began producing his As it turned out, Gardner's slowing-down tactics were timely. They eventually moved into an old factory at 87th and Dobson and renovated the building that would become Soft Sheens new campus. ]); CHICAGO (CBS) -- Many are mourning the loss of Edward Gardner, a Chicago titan in business and philanthropy. Michelle Harris (8th) praised the Gardners saying that they are the epitome of what an African American entrepreneur is. The company had also lagged in product development, not introducing a major new product for more than two years. Most importantly, he taught me how to engage all people with humanity and humility, said Gary Gardner. Privacy Policy Mr. Gardner graduated from Fenger High School. View our. 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. 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. His survivors also include two other children, Guy and Tracy, his wife, seven grandchildren and a great-grandson, the Sun-Times reports. 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. Simultaneously, his wife Denise resigned from her position as vice-president of marketing. Find your friends on Facebook. Despite the success, Mr. Gardner never moved from his neighborhood. Peyrelongue and Gardner are unsure of the impact on employee rolls. 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. The company expected its global expansion to drive sales up to $150 million by the middle of the 1990s. "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.". cnx.cmd.push(function() { He was 98. INFORMATION The Gardners married in 1950 and from their union four children were born. He taught me to garden. The gentle, conditioning Optimum Care quickly became the industry's best-selling relaxer. 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. By Mary Mitchell Mar 22, 2023, 5:23pm PDT Pocket 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. 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. targeting: { 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. My mother let him know that the pans were off limits because we needed to eat.. Gardner and his wife Bettiann founded the company in 1964. baseDivId: 'pb-slot-right-1', } If you saw Ed Gardner out after work or on weekends, he had us, his children, in tow. 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. He was 98. div_id: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-2', Log In. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. That gave Mr. Gardner an idea and he began experimenting. }); window.tude = window.tude || { cmd: [] }; Everything changed in 1979, however, when Soft Sheen introduced a new product called Care Free Curl. aid: '864241', In addition to battling the soft market and growing competition, Soft Sheen was also struggling with internal problems. Mr. 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. 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. According to CBS News, a private family service is planned. 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. 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 taught me to fish. } 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. Soft Sheen Products Inc. is the top U.S. producer of ethnic hair care products. All rights reserved. Please check your email for confirmation from us. Gary Gardner. 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. Soft Sheen Products officially launched in 1964 while Mr. Gardner was still an assistant principal at a local school. He rallied his troops.. Throughout his ownership of the company, he continued to offer exclusive products for his beloved salon customers. Blitzing the city with banners, print and radio advertisements, the campaign registered over 200,000 new voters and helped secure Harold Washingtons victory. You dont replace crime by keep on adding more policemen, Mr. Gardner said of the problem. 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. 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. based on Chicagos South Side, evolved into one of the nations largest Black-owned businesses. His and his wifes love of theater inspired him to re-create one of Chicagos most historic entertainment venues, the Regal Theater. 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. pos: 'right_rail_2', Ed Gardner proudly walked arm-in-arm at the front of the line with his long- time colleagues, Manford Byrd, Lerone Bennett and Timuel Black. Gary Gardner. Frizz Free was the first frizz control product made specifically for ethnic women by an ethnic hair-care products company. 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 employs fewer than 25 administrators and marketers and outsources manufacturing and packaging operations, sources say. "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. The Soft Sheen Products co-founder was a devoted advocate of Chicagos African-American community. He also taught me how to make mistakes. He melted wax in one of the pans, said one of Mr. Gardners four children, Terri Gardner. He stuttered as a child. He taught me how to build, how to fix things, how to drive, and how not to drive. "At the trade shows, everyone is bunched up around his table trying to find out more about it.". Gary Gardner. L'Oreal found it shared a lot "in common values" with Soft Sheen, he added. 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. In early 1996, Gary Gardner resigned from his post as Soft Sheen president. 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. Staying current is easy with Crain's news delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge. WebOwner. CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNOUNCES PLANS TO OPEN TWO NEW LOCATIONS IN MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENTS, AND FUNDING FOR A NEW BRANCH IN WOODLAWN, Cubs Adbert Alzolay Helps Distribute Food at Advocate Health Cares Food Farmacy Day, REP. 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