We had the good fortune of connecting with Kendra Gelner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kendra, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Sure! I’ve always been an entrepreneur of sorts… I had a few film company ventures, but for MyBoxShop it really started with my girls. I’m a mom of two teens! I didn’t want my daughters putting non-organic products with harmful chemicals and dioxins in the most absorbent part of their body. It started as a subscription idea. Dollar Shave Club had just sold for 1 billion dollars for their monthly subscription for razors and I thought what’s more monthly than your period! And what an opportunity to have some fun with a category that has always been so hush hush and dull.  I wanted to have fun with the brand, packaging, and marketing…. so women would stop feeling embarrassed and embrace who they are, and feel proud! MyBoxShop’s products are all organic and our tag line is   MyBoxShop  No toxins, period.

What should our readers know about your business?
MyBoxShop is only sold online… on Urbanoutfitters.com, Amazon.com, and I’m about to launch on Walmart.com, and of course the MyBoxShop.com website. What really sets us apart is our products & branding. The products are sourced from all over the world and they’re really the best Organic products on the market. Our tag, “No Toxins, Period.” speaks to the organic, healthy aspect of the brand but has a much bigger meaning as well. To live your best life, you need to be free of toxins of all kinds – toxic relationships, toxic thoughts, toxic social situations, and …yes, toxic products.

You asked if there’s some advice or something I’ve learned through this venture, and I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that to be successful you have to be constantly iterating. You can’t be too precious, and you can’t be afraid to make mistakes. You will always be tweaking your products, packaging, marketing, approach… so don’t be afraid to launch before you feel you’re 100% ready because its always going to change…

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I live in Malibu, but I’m from NYC,  so most of my friends who come to stay usually head straight to the beach! Paradise Cove, Westward Beach, Broad Beach… Malibu Farm on the Malibu Pier for the best egg sandwich, hiking up Temescal Canyon, The Old Place in Agoura, Gjelina on Abbot Kinney in Venice, a drink at Little Beach House, some stops on Melrose, and my favorite is dinner at my friend Ricky’s magical house up Corral Canyon in Malibu… Those are the favorites.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
MyBoxShop was started with my co-founder Marissa Ribisi, who has since exited the company, who definitely deserves a huge shoutout.. and honestly, my Parents! They have given me amazing advice my entire life, listened to me tirelessly,  always supporting me, and pushing me to believe in myself – and to just go for it! 

Website: www.myboxshop.com

Instagram: @myboxshop

Facebook: @myboxshopusa

Image Credits
Ray&Co

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