Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerry Croft.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Hello! My name is Kerry Croft and I am the Founder Marketing Curator for Vitamin M and soon to be Talk Show Host of The Vitamin M Suite! I was born in Kingston, Jamaica and grew up in Richmond, VA where I obtained my B.A. in Fashion Merchandising. I moved to New York strictly on faith to pursue my fashion career in 2005 and have been working in the fashion industry ever since, working my way up the ladder to become Sr. Merchandiser for Kenneth Cole Reaction Men’s Tailored. I’ve always had a love for entrepreneurship but my passion was always uplifting, supporting and bringing together my community. I founded The Vitamin M Box (M stands for Melanin) because I wanted to create a platform that allowed a space for Black-owned businesses to be able to distribute their products on a national level and to help spread awareness about our brands. While building my brand, I became a part of a national organization for women entrepreneurs called Promote Her Network and one of the hubs is in Houston, TX. Promote Her recently inked a deal to launch their own channel, The Promote Her Channel! The Promote Her Channel will be launched on streaming services Roku TV, Amazon Firestick, and Apple TV and most of the shows will be produced by Houston based production company, Choice 1 Media Group. Through the Promote Her channel, I will be premiering my own talk show called The Vitamin M Suite. The Vitamin M Suite is the “chill spot where Black Excellence thrives.” The Vitamin M Suite not only allows me an even bigger platform for me to showcase Black-owned businesses that aren’t just product-based, but it also allows me to give our businesses the opportunity to advertise on a network that has a viewership of over 110 million viewers! Vitamin M’s mission is to bring visibility to our brands and expand our reach beyond our community. Our products and services aren’t exclusive to just us and The Vitamin M Suite grants me the opportunity to show that. Every week, I will be interviewing an entrepreneurs that will share with us their story, their brand, and their wisdom to help inspire us all. I’m so excited about this show! Initially all filming was set in Houston but due to us self-quaranting, I will be filming a few shows here in Jersey and will head to Houston to finish filming as soon as we can!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely has not been a smooth road. As I’m also still working my corporate job. Finding the balance between working a corporate job, building my own brand and family time has been challenging, needless to say, sleep is a luxury lol. Running a subscription box can be unstable and difficult to navigate but I’m blessed to still be in business (May marks my 3rd year anniversary!) but it’s time to re-structure and re-set.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Vitamin M Box – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
The Vitamin M Box (M stands for Melanin) is a subscription box service that is curated with products in different industries from Black-owned brands. The Vitamin M Box isn’t just a box of products but we’re also a box that pays it forward. Every third month we donate 10% of the proceeds to a charity/non-profit that aids in the building and uplifting of our Black and Brown communities. I founded The Vitamin M Box in May 2017 and throughout this time, I have met some amazing people and established relationships with excellent brands. Those relationships and being able to give back has been the best part of my journey thus far. Throughout these three years, I have become a curator of not just the box, but of various platforms that allow Black-owned businesses to be seen, their voices heard and to be able to connect and network with other businesses to help them grow. Which is why Vitamin M will officially be launched this month as a boutique marketing curating service providing multiple platforms that brings visibility to your brands, such as distribution through my subscription box, vending and speaking at my shopping/networking events, and advertising or becoming a guest on my talk show.
What sets me apart from others? We are no longer just a subscription box! Vitamin M is a movement that helps Build Our Communities, Support Our Businesses, and Tell Our Story. It’s such a great feeling to know that I have been able to bring visibility to our businesses and to witness connections being made. It is not only important for us to know what Black-owned businesses are out there in the marketplace so we can support and uplift each other, but it’s important for EVERYONE to know that we are here and just because we are Black-owned it doesn’t mean our products and services are exclusive to just us. We have to expand our reach in order for our businesses to grow and that’s how we help bring wealth back to our communities and build a legacy for our families.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am looking forward to both The Vitamin M Suite Talk show launch and Vitamin M Marketing Curating Services!! Both coming real soon!!!
Pricing:
- Monthly subscription; $35/month
- Six month subscription: $180/month
- Annual subscription: $360/month
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thevitaminmbox.com
- Phone: 6462550987
- Email: kerry@thevitaminmbox.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thevitaminm
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/VitaminM
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/VitaminMSuite
Image Credit:
Photographer: Amon Focus, Stylist: FanciFantastic, Hair: Crowned by Shirley, Makeup: Ashely Vera
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