We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kirrston Mclendon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kirrston, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
The story behind Kirrston’s Kollections is one deeply rooted in personal passion, familial influence, and a genuine desire to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Founded in 2018, the genesis of this business traces back to a childhood spent in the kitchen, cooking alongside a beloved grandmother in Louisiana. This early immersion in the culinary arts not only ignited a passion for cooking but also instilled a profound appreciation for the connection between food, health, and overall well-being.
From these formative experiences emerged a vision: to share the joys of cooking, health, and nutrition with others. For the founder, this isn’t just about creating delicious meals—it’s about fostering a lifestyle centered around wholesome, authentic, and natural living. It’s a mission fueled by a genuine desire to see people thrive, to help them lead long, fulfilling lives marked by vitality and wellness.
Central to Kirrston’s Kollections is the belief that food is not just sustenance but also medicine—a belief cultivated through years of personal exploration and learning. Drawing from this ethos, the business aims to empower individuals to take control of their health and destiny, guiding them towards choices that nourish both body and soul.
At the heart of Kirrston’s Kollections lies a commitment to education. Through sharing knowledge, cooking classes, and a curated selection of products, the business seeks to demystify the world of healthy eating, showing that nutritious food can be not only beneficial but also incredibly flavorful and enjoyable. By imparting knowledge and sharing expertise, the aim is to inspire a paradigm shift in how people approach food, transforming it from mere sustenance to a source of joy, vitality, and healing.
For me, every spice blend, every cooking demonstration, every piece of advice offered is imbued with a sense of purpose—a belief in the transformative power of food to nourish, heal, and uplift. It’s a mission driven not by profit margins or market trends but by a deeply held conviction in the potential of food to shape lives for the better.
In essence, Kirrston’s Kollections is more than just a business—it’s a labor of love, a testament to the enduring legacy of a grandmother’s teachings, and a beacon of hope for all those seeking to embrace a healthier, more fulfilling way of life.
Kirrston, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My journey into curating products is deeply rooted in personal experience and a profound desire to share the healing and transformative power of natural remedies with others. Born and raised in southwest Louisiana, my path to entrepreneurship was paved by a health crisis that led me on a journey of self-discovery and healing.
Around 19 years ago, I found myself facing a myriad of health challenges stemming from chronic stress, including aches, ulcers, weight loss struggles, fibroids, depression, and severe insomnia. Despite numerous visits to doctors, a diagnosis remained elusive. Determined to take control of my health, I embarked on a journey of self-education, delving into topics such as nutrition, holistic healing, and the mind-body connection.
Drawing upon my newfound knowledge, I began treating myself with a combination of herbs, spices, vitamins, minerals, and essential oils. Over time, my dedication and persistence paid off as my health gradually improved. My body healed itself, with ulcers disappearing, fibroids vanishing, and my overall well-being vastly improved.
Inspired by my own healing journey and rooted in my upbringing cooking creole and soul food with my family, I sought to share my passion for cooking and holistic living with others. I envisioned creating a line of authentic creole spice blends that showcased the flavors of my heritage while promoting health and wellness. Thus, my signature spice blends, infused with Himalayan pink salt for its health benefits, were born.
In addition to my spice blends, I recognized the therapeutic potential of essential oils, having used them personally for mental and physical well-being for nearly two decades. Drawing upon my expertise and passion, I crafted a line of natural perfume oils made from 100% essential oils, offering both aromatherapeutic benefits and a natural alternative to traditional perfumes laden with chemicals.
What sets my products apart is their authenticity and the heartfelt intention behind their creation. Each spice blend and perfume oil is a testament to my personal journey and meticulous research, with ingredients carefully selected and blended to perfection. My dedication to my craft shines through in every product, reflecting my commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others.
The success of Kirrston’s Kollections is a testament to the quality and effectiveness of my products. Being stocked in major retail stores across Louisiana and Texas, as well as on platforms like Walmart Marketplace, is a validation of the value my products offer. However, beyond commercial success, my true pride lies in the positive impact my products have on individuals and families.
My brand is not just about selling products—it’s about promoting holistic living, empowering individuals to take control of their health, and leaving a lasting legacy of wellness and vitality. My hope is to inspire others to embrace a healthier lifestyle and to create communities where families thrive for generations to come. Kirrston’s Kollections is driven by a genuine desire to make a difference, one spice blend and perfume oil at a time.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
My journey is a testament to my unwavering resilience in the face of adversity, particularly when it came to bringing my products to the market. One story that vividly illustrates my resilience is the uphill battle I faced when seeking to scale my business and transition from homemade production to big-chain retail.
For the first two years of my business, I diligently crafted my spice blends and perfume oils in my own kitchen, pouring my heart and soul into perfecting my recipes. However, I knew that in order to reach a wider audience and fulfill my vision of sharing my creations with the world, I needed to break into the big-chain retail market.
This decision led me to confront a series of rejections and setbacks. As I approached co-packers and food incubators in my area, I was met with repeated “no”s. The unique challenge lay in the speciality salt I used in my spice blends—Himalayan pink salt—a key ingredient that set my products apart but also posed a logistical hurdle as no facilities in Louisiana were accustomed to working with it.
Despite facing numerous setbacks and rejections, I refused to be deterred. I persisted, tirelessly reaching out to potential partners and pitching my vision for my products. For two years, I continued to advocate for my brand and my unique offerings, undeterred by the obstacles in my path.
Finally, my perseverance paid off when one company was willing to give me a chance. Through my own determination and resourcefulness, I was able to connect my chosen co-packer with my salt manufacturer, forging a partnership that ultimately brought my vision to fruition.
This story serves as a powerful reminder of my resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Despite being told “no” time and time again, I refused to give up on my dream. My ability to navigate challenges, adapt to setbacks, and persist in pursuit of my goals is a testament to my unwavering commitment and belief in my products.
My journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs: the importance of perseverance, resilience, and the unwavering belief in one’s vision. My story is a beacon of inspiration for those facing their own obstacles, demonstrating that with determination, resourcefulness, and a steadfast belief in oneself, anything is possible.
Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.
When it comes to manufacturing Kirrston’s Kollections products, the journey has been one of learning, persistence, and the pursuit of quality. While I initially began by making my spice blends at home, my aspirations to expand into big-chain retail necessitated a shift towards professional manufacturing.
For my spice blends, I knew that in order to scale my business and meet the demands of retail, I needed to transition from home production to working with a co-packer. This decision wasn’t without its challenges. Despite my deep knowledge of the ingredients and processes involved in creating my blends, finding a vendor who could manufacture them to my exact specifications proved to be a daunting task.
It took me two years of searching and networking to find the right manufacturing partner. Along the way, I encountered numerous rejections and setbacks. However, my persistence eventually paid off when I discovered a manufacturer in my hometown of Opelousas, Louisiana, who was willing to work with me.
Establishing a partnership with the co-packer was not without its hurdles. I had to ensure that my recipes and intellectual property were protected, requiring careful negotiation and the signing of non-disclosure agreements. Additionally, I had to remain actively involved in the manufacturing process, providing guidance and oversight to ensure that my products maintained their quality and integrity.
Through this experience, I learned valuable lessons about the manufacturing process. I discovered the importance of persistence, patience, and attention to detail. I realized the significance of asking questions, conducting thorough research, and advocating for my brand’s interests.
Moreover, my journey underscored the importance of protecting one’s intellectual property and maintaining a hands-on approach to manufacturing. By remaining actively involved in the process and forging strong partnerships with manufacturers who shared my vision and values, I was able to bring my products to market while upholding the quality and authenticity that define Kirrston’s Kollections.
Looking ahead, I remain committed to my goal of eventually establishing my own manufacturing facility. My journey thus far has equipped me with the knowledge, experience, and determination to continue pursuing my entrepreneurial dreams while ensuring that my products continue to make a positive impact on the lives of my customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.Kirrstonskollections.com
- Instagram: @kirrstonskollections
- Facebook: kirrstonskollections
Image Credits
Jocias Pitre