We recently connected with Shanice Harris and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shanice, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Let’s be real—life has a way of wearing you down. After my fourth child, I hit a wall. Between endless to-do lists and making sure everyone else was okay, I lost sight of the woman I used to be. I barely recognized myself in the mirror, and honestly? I was tired of just surviving.
I decided to make a change. I was going to reclaim my time, my skin, and my confidence. No guilt, no half-measures. I wanted to feel good again—not just on the outside, but on the inside too.
But this didn’t start as a business. It started with me. Rediscovering myself through natural self-care, getting back to the things that once made me feel good. I wasn’t thinking about selling anything—I just wanted to pour into myself for once. But in doing that, it expanded into something much bigger than I ever expected.
And honestly, it made perfect sense. Skincare has always been a big part of who I am. As a teen, I was that girl raiding my mom’s kitchen, using her perfectly good groceries to whip up hair treatments and moisturizers long before it was trendy. At-home self-care was my thing, and getting back into it felt like reconnecting with a piece of myself that had been buried under years of responsibilities.
I started studying and experimenting with body butters, oils, and natural ingredients—then something amazing happened. Within weeks, my skin started to glow, stretch marks faded, and I began to feel like myself again. I shared my creations with friends and family, and before I knew it, they wanted some too. And that’s when Kross was born.
That’s why I started Kross Collective. Because this journey was about more than just skincare for me—it was about growth, transformation, and FAITH. Choosing to prioritize my well-being, overcoming self-doubt and fear of failure, and daring to take up space again felt like crossing over into a new version of me.
That’s where ‘Kross’ comes from. Cross equals faith. Cross equals transition. Cross equals a new chapter. It’s a major step in my self discovery journey.
And Collective? That’s for you. Because this isn’t just my journey—it’s a movement. A space for those who are ready to reclaim their glow, their confidence, and their right to self-care.
“I don’t make things to sell, I sell things I make”
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m the founder of Kross Collective, a skincare brand that started as a deeply personal journey of self-care and turned into something much bigger. After having my fourth child, I realized I had been pouring so much into others that I had completely neglected myself. I was exhausted, disconnected, and craving something that made me feel like me again.
That’s when I returned to something I had always loved—skincare. But not just any skincare—real, effective, no-fluff skincare powered by nature. I’ve always been extremely picky about what I put on my skin and hair, and when I couldn’t find anything that met my standards without unnecessary fillers, I started making my own.
As a teen, I was the girl raiding my mom’s kitchen, mixing up DIY hair masks and moisturizers long before it was trendy. That love for creating never left me. I started experimenting with raw butters, natural oils, and simple, effective ingredients—first for myself, then for friends and family. Before I knew it, demand was growing, and Kross Collective was born.
What Makes Kross Collective Different?
At Kross Collective, we believe skincare should be simple, effective, and luxurious without being out of reach. Every product is handcrafted with high-quality, raw butters and oils—no fluff, no fillers, just real results. Unlike many mainstream brands that use highly processed butters that have been stripped of their nutrients, we use 100% raw butters to ensure our products retain the maximum amount of vitamins, antioxidants, and skin-nourishing benefits. This means deeper hydration, better skin protection, and long-lasting results that truly nurture your skin.
We take pride in the natural integrity of our butters. Natural butters are powerful and we prefer to keep them unbothered, giving you their maximum quality. Their rich, natural scent is a testament to their purity, and while we offer fragranced options as a luxurious addition, we never compromise the nutritional benefits of our ingredients. Every scent is carefully selected to complement, not replace, the quality of our raw butters, ensuring a product that is both indulgent and deeply nourishing.
Our formulas focus on deeply hydrating and replenishing the skin using ingredients like Shea Butter from Ghana and Kokum and Mango Butters from Indonesia. We keep things clean and uncomplicated, because taking care of your skin should never feel like a chore.
But Kross Collective isn’t just about skincare—it’s about self-care. It’s a reminder that taking time for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Whether you’re thriving or trying to find your way back, these products are here to remind you to pour into yourself, unapologetically.
Why Kross Collective?
With so many skincare brands on the market, Kross Collective stands apart by offering high-quality, filler-free products that deliver real results—without the luxury markup. We focus on ingredient integrity, using only raw butters and nourishing oils that deeply hydrate the skin for long-lasting moisture. Many store-bought lotions and butters feel good for a moment but wear off quickly—our formulas are designed to penetrate deeply, keeping your skin soft, smooth, and hydrated for hours. Whether you struggle with dry skin, irritation, or just want a clean, effective skincare routine, Kross Collective is made to give you real hydration without the unnecessary additives. Unlike mass-produced skincare, our products are made in small batches, ensuring every jar is fresh and effective. We strip away the unnecessary—no watered-down formulas, no pointless additives—just skincare that actually works. While many brands focus on trends, Kross Collective is rooted in self-care with purpose. This brand was built on faith, transformation, and empowerment, serving as more than just skincare—it’s a reminder that prioritizing yourself is essential, not selfish. When you choose Kross Collective, you’re not just buying a product—you’re investing in a brand that values your skin, your well-being, and your right to affordable, high-quality self-care.
What I’m Most Proud Of
One of the things I’m most proud of is the love and support Kross Collective has received. Seeing how much people love my products and my formula means everything to me. I am deeply passionate about what I put in these jars, and knowing that others appreciate it too gives me so much joy.
But more than that, I’m proud of how much Kross Collective has pushed me. I was afraid to start this—I was afraid to fail. But seeing how much people love what I’ve created has given me a confidence boost and a sense of purpose I didn’t expect. This journey isn’t just about helping others; it’s about healing and rediscovering myself in the process. Through Kross Collective, I’m stepping into something bigger than skincare—I’m stepping into a new version of me.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
When I started my business, I was a stay-at-home mom and wife with four kids, relying solely on my husband’s income to support our household. Starting a business with very little money felt like a huge risk, but I owe so much of this journey to the loved ones who believed in me and invested in me—not just financially, but emotionally as well.
I launched Kross Collective with less than $400. Every dollar counted, so I had to be strategic, stretch my resources, and outsource as little as possible. Every single detail—the labels, packaging, branding, product photography, stickers, marketing strategy, and even the shipping box designs—was created by me, at home, on a tight budget. From designing every post to placing each sticker and sealing every box with care, I’ve touched every part of this brand with my own hands.
The formula is my own, developed after countless hours of research and testing. I experimented with different blends until I found something I truly believed in. The business structure, social media presence, and product presentation were all things I built from the ground up, learning and adapting as I went.
The only things I had to outsource were the raw materials, jars (because I can’t make those myself!), and essential supplies like bags. But everything else—from stickers to branding elements—was done in-house to stretch every dollar and maintain complete creative control.
Starting with limited funds took determination, resourcefulness, and creativity, but looking back, I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come. Every challenge pushed me to find new ways to make things work, and now, seeing how much people love Kross Collective makes it all worth it.
Kross Collective officially launched on February 5, 2025, and while we’re still in the early stages, the momentum has been incredibly promising. The support, love, and growing customer base in such a short time have been overwhelming in the best way, and I see so much potential for this brand’s growth. This is just the beginning.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The Day Everything Went Wrong—And I Still Pulled It Off
Running a small business means wearing every hat, and some days, it feels like every challenge hits at once. One of the most stressful days I’ve ever had as a business owner was the morning of a big restock drop—one that I had already announced, promoted, and committed to.
I had spent the entire night finishing up fresh batches of body butter, pushing through exhaustion to make sure everything was perfect. At 3 AM, I was finally wrapping things up—only to realize my printer had completely died. The same printer I needed to print labels for every single jar.
Panic set in. This wasn’t just about the restock—I also had a bulk order of 50 body butters due that afternoon. Without labels, my products weren’t ready to sell, and with the deadline approaching fast, I had no time to waste.
At 7 AM, running on almost no sleep, I packed up all four of my kids—two elementary age and two under two—loaded them into the car, and rushed to the store to buy a new printer and supplies. My husband was at work, so I was juggling everything alone. By the time we got home, it was a full-blown race against the clock. I had to unbox the printer, set it up, troubleshoot any issues, and print every single label—all before noon.
Somehow, despite the chaos, I got every single label printed, applied, and ready for the restock launch—on time. Then, with barely a moment to breathe, I immediately switched gears to fulfill the bulk order that was due later that afternoon.
That day tested me. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and handling everything on my own. But quitting wasn’t an option. I had made a commitment to my customers, and I refused to let a broken printer derail everything I had worked for.
Looking back, that experience reminded me that resilience isn’t just about handling the big challenges—it’s about adapting, problem-solving, and pushing through when everything seems to be working against you. It was a long, tough day, but at the end of it, I got the job done.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://krosscollective.square.site/
- Instagram: @krosscollective
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571394202915
Image Credits
All photos were taken by me, the owner.