We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Krystal Martin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Krystal, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Thank you so much for asking about the story behind our mission. It means a lot to have the opportunity to share why this journey is so deeply personal to us at K&K Co.
Our mission is rooted in a commitment to creating vegan, sustainable, and clean body care products that empower people to feel their best without compromising their health. This mission was born out of a very personal and challenging time in my life. A few years ago, my husband Al and I faced the heartbreak of an ectopic pregnancy. It was a devastating experience—one that changed the way I looked at the products I used on my body and what I allowed into our home.
During that time, I began researching and learning about the harmful chemicals and carcinogens present in many beauty and body care products. It was shocking to discover how common these ingredients were, and even more heartbreaking to realize the potential effects they could have on reproductive health. I felt a deep responsibility to make a change—not only for myself but for others who might be unknowingly exposed to these harmful substances.
At K&K Co., we believe that no one should have to sacrifice their health for beauty or self-care. Our products are crafted with clean, vegan, and toxin-free ingredients that are safe for everyone, especially those with sensitive needs or concerns around reproductive health. Our hope is to provide a safe space in the beauty and self-care industry where people can trust what they are putting on their bodies.
This mission is incredibly close to my heart because it’s not just about business; it’s about making a difference in the lives of others and ensuring that people have access to safe, luxurious products that align with their values. Thank you again for giving me the chance to share this part of our journey. It’s a story of loss, but also of hope, resilience, and a desire to create a better world for ourselves and our community.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Thank you so much for this opportunity to share a bit more about myself and the heart behind K&K Co. I’m Krystal Martin, a content creator, wife, and mom, passionate about creating clean, vegan body care products and fostering a community that celebrates self-care and wellness. My journey into this industry began from a deeply personal place. A few years ago, my husband Al and I faced the heartbreak of an ectopic pregnancy. That experience changed everything for me—it opened my eyes to the importance of understanding what we put on and in our bodies.
As I began to heal, I dove into researching the beauty and skincare industry and was shocked to learn how many products on the market contain harmful carcinogens and toxins that could have serious effects on our health, including reproductive health. I knew I wanted to make a change—not just for myself, but for others who deserved to feel safe and confident in their self-care choices.
That’s how K&K Co. was born. At K&K Co., we specialize in creating vegan, sustainable body care products like body butters, scrubs, oils, and candles. Our products are crafted with high-quality, non-toxic ingredients, allowing our clients to indulge in luxurious self-care routines without compromising their well-being. We offer solutions for those who have dry skin or who want to enjoy beautiful scents without worrying about harmful chemicals. One of our most unique offerings is our line of vegan perfumes, made with natural ingredients that smell amazing without posing a risk to health.
What sets us apart is our commitment to transparency and quality. I want our clients to know that each product has been created with intention and care, with their well-being in mind. We prioritize clean ingredients, sustainable practices, and products that are safe for everyone—whether you’re a mom looking for something gentle, a woman seeking to elevate her self-care rituals, or someone passionate about supporting cruelty-free, vegan beauty.
I’m most proud of the community we’ve built around K&K Co. It’s more than just a brand; it’s a space where people can come together, learn, and connect over shared values of wellness and self-love. My goal is for our clients and followers to feel that they are seen, heard, and supported every step of the way on their journey to self-care.
Thank you for allowing me to share our story. My hope is that anyone who joins us on this journey feels empowered to take care of themselves, knowing that we have their best interests at heart.
Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.
Yes, we do manufacture our own products at K&K Co., and the journey of getting to where we are now has been a deeply personal and rewarding one. When I first started, I didn’t have any formal training in manufacturing skincare and body care products. My passion for this craft came from a place of necessity and a desire to create something safe and clean for myself and others. After experiencing the loss of an ectopic pregnancy, I became much more conscious of what I was putting on my body, and I realized there was a lack of truly clean, vegan, and non-toxic products on the market.
This led me to immerse myself in learning everything I could about formulating skincare and candles. I took courses, attended workshops, and spent countless hours experimenting with different ingredients in my kitchen. It wasn’t easy, and there was a lot of trial and error in the beginning—especially when it came to finding the right balance between natural ingredients and creating a luxurious, effective product.
As the business grew, I realized that I needed to scale up production to meet demand. I began researching vendors for raw materials, looking for suppliers who shared my commitment to quality, sustainability, and ethical practices. Finding the right suppliers wasn’t always straightforward; it required a lot of research, testing, and building relationships with those who could meet our standards.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way is that quality always comes first. It can be tempting to cut corners to save on costs, but that’s never been what K&K Co. is about. Ensuring that every product we make is of the highest quality—while staying true to our clean and vegan promise—has been a guiding principle. I’ve also learned the importance of being adaptable. Manufacturing your own products means being prepared for unexpected challenges, whether it’s supply chain disruptions or figuring out how to scale up production without compromising the handmade feel of each product.
Manufacturing in-house has allowed us to maintain full control over the ingredients we use and the quality of our products, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s given me the freedom to create unique products like our Boujee Body Scrub and our vegan perfumes, knowing that every ingredient is carefully chosen for its purity and effectiveness.
Overall, the process of learning and manufacturing has been a journey of growth, passion, and perseverance. It’s taught me to trust my instincts, stay true to my values, and never stop striving to create products that our customers can trust and love.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Absolutely, I’d love to share the story of how I met my biggest supporter and partner, my husband Al. While he’s not a formal co-founder in the business sense, he has been my partner through every step of building K&K Co.
Al and I met years ago, and from the beginning, he’s always been someone who believed in me wholeheartedly. When the idea of starting K&K Co. was just a small dream, he was right there by my side, encouraging me to take the leap and pursue my passion for creating clean, vegan body care products. He’s seen me through the highs and lows of starting a business, from late nights testing formulations in our kitchen to the challenges of learning the ins and outs of entrepreneurship.
After we experienced the heartbreak of an ectopic pregnancy, Al was not only my emotional support but also my sounding board as I began to explore the harmful chemicals in everyday products and envision what would become K&K Co. He understood my drive to make a change in the beauty industry, and together, we made the decision to create a brand that prioritized clean, non-toxic ingredients.
While I manage the day-to-day operations and creative side of the business, Al has been a constant source of support, whether it’s helping with logistics, brainstorming new product ideas, or simply being there when I need a listening ear. His unwavering belief in our mission has been such a vital part of this journey, and I truly couldn’t have done it without him.
It’s not always easy to build something from the ground up, but having Al as my partner through it all has made the tough moments a little easier and the victories that much sweeter. We’ve grown so much together, and I’m incredibly grateful to have someone by my side who shares in the vision of what K&K Co. stands for.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kkco.shop
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kankco.llc
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/KKCOLLC
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystal-martin-849680279?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
