Gloria Lewis shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Gloria, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building isn’t something that can be seen on shelves or captured in photos — it’s the legacy behind Kitt’s Kandy Shop®. This brand started as a personal pursuit to create clean, effective skincare, but it’s grown into something far more meaningful. Behind every product and every milestone is a story of resilience, purpose, and vision.
As a founder, I’m building more than a company — I’m building a foundation for my family and for the generations that follow. I want Kitt’s Kandy Shop® to be a name that lives on, representing integrity, transparency, and excellence. Every decision, from sourcing ingredients to designing packaging, reflects my commitment to creating something lasting and purposeful.
What people don’t see are the long nights, the moments of doubt, and the quiet determination to build something that matters. My greatest pride lies in knowing that I’m creating more than a business — I’m creating opportunity, ownership, and generational wealth. I want my family to inherit not just a brand, but a legacy rooted in courage, craftsmanship, and care.
That’s what I’m most proud of — building something that outlives me, something that speaks to who I am as a leader, a woman, and a founder determined to leave a mark on the world.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Gloria Lewis, Founder and CEO of Kitt’s Kandy Shop®, an organic and cruelty-free skincare house specializing in small-batch formulations that elevate daily self-care into an intentional act of well-being. Our products are crafted without pre-made bases, allowing us to maintain full control over purity, performance, and ingredient integrity.
We focus on supporting individuals who struggle with dryness, sensitivity, dullness, and uneven texture — offering plant-forward treatments that deliver nourishment, repair, and a soft, luminous finish to the skin.
What makes our brand distinct is not just our product efficacy, but our philosophy: skincare should feel like a personal investment in oneself. Our goal is to ensure every customer feels considered, affirmed, and worthy of prioritizing their wellness.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
For me, trust is the foundation of every relationship I value. It’s not optional—it’s the center of how I connect. When trust is broken, it rarely happens all at once. It breaks in quiet ways: in the moments where communication becomes unclear, where intentions don’t match actions, or when transparency gives way to guessing and uncertainty.
Once trust is compromised, the relationship shifts. The ease, the openness, the sense of safety—those things disappear. And rebuilding from that place is difficult, because once I have to question the truth between us, the bond has already changed. Losing my trust can be detrimental to the relationship because I don’t offer it casually. I give it with care, with presence, and with sincerity.
What restores bonds, for me, is genuineness. It’s someone showing up with consistency—not as who they think they should be, but as who they truly are. It’s clear communication. It’s honesty without performance. It’s the willingness to say the hard things and to say them with respect.
When trust is honored and reinforced through action, relationships deepen. When it is broken and left unattended, they fade.
At my core, I believe connection thrives where truth is steady and mutual.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I’ll be honest—I’m still learning how to do that. I’ve spent most of my life being the strong one. The dependable one. The person who steps in, solves the problem, holds the space, carries the emotional weight, and keeps moving. People look at me and see resilience. They see control. They see someone who “has it handled.”
What they don’t see is that the strength was built as a shield. I learned early that vulnerability wasn’t always met with care—or understanding. So I built walls. High ones. And I’ve lived behind them for a long time.
I haven’t stopped hiding my pain because, to be truthful, I haven’t always felt safe putting it down. When you are the one everyone turns to, the space to fall apart for even a moment doesn’t always feel available. Being the strong one becomes an identity, not just a response.
But I am learning something:
Strength without rest becomes exhaustion. Strength without support becomes isolation.
I realized I don’t need to “use my pain” yet—not in a performative way, not as a lesson, not as a brand of triumph. What I am working on is acknowledging it. Naming it. Allowing myself to feel the weight instead of pretending it doesn’t exist.
My power, right now, is in the awareness. The understanding that I don’t have to carry everything alone forever. The recognition that my strength is real—but so is my humanity. I haven’t mastered the transformation yet.
But I am in the process of giving myself permission to be seen—not just as the strong one, but as the whole person behind the strength. And that, to me, is the beginning of power.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Myself. I am my longest and most important project. I’m committed to learning who I am beneath the roles, the expectations, and the responsibilities I carry. I’m committed to understanding my patterns, my strengths, my triggers, and my potential. My growth doesn’t have a deadline or a finish line—this is lifelong work.
I want to be someone who is not just strong, but whole. Someone who is not just resilient, but at peace. Someone who can give to others without losing myself in the process. I want a life where my boundaries are respected without needing to be explained. Where my softness isn’t mistaken for weakness, and my strength isn’t mistaken for invulnerability. I want to move through the world grounded, centered, and certain—clear in who I am and what I deserve. I want to show up for myself with the same loyalty and commitment I have shown to others; to allow rest without guilt, to honor my needs without apology, and to know that I am worthy of reciprocity, not just responsibility.
This commitment is ongoing and intentional. It means being honest with myself. It means being willing to unlearn. It means giving myself the space to grow at my own pace. I am my most significant investment—and I’m dedicated to cultivating the best version of myself, no matter how long that takes.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop prioritizing work over living. I would step away from the constant pressure to perform, produce, and prove. And I would give my time to the one presence in my life that loves me without condition — my dog, Willie Belle.
She is my peace, my grounding, my joy. If I knew my time was finite, I wouldn’t spend it chasing outcomes or carrying the weight of responsibility. I would travel with her, explore the world with her, and simply be present. I would choose slow mornings, quiet afternoons, and sunsets in places I’ve never seen before.
Willie Belle is my most prized companion — the one being who has seen me in every season without expectation or judgment. If I had only ten years left, I would spend them honoring that kind of love.
I would choose presence over productivity.
I would choose joy over obligation.
I would choose her.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kittskandyshop.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kittskandyshop/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloria-lewis-mba-4163a7244/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kittskandyshop
Image Credits
Walmart
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