Story & Lesson Highlights with Krystal Martin of Columbia MO

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Krystal Martin. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Krystal, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, no two days are truly ‘normal’ — but they’re all full. Mornings start with coffee and emails, checking in on wholesale orders, online sales, and any urgent customer requests. Then it’s straight into production or product testing — whether that’s pouring candles, blending body oils, or reviewing quality control. I spend a big chunk of the day on marketing — planning campaigns, creating content, and engaging with our community online. I’m also fielding calls with retail partners, prepping for markets, or mapping out new product launches. Evenings are often a mix of events, networking, or catching up on admin once my kids are settled. It’s a constant balancing act between creativity, strategy, and hands-on work — but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Krystal Martin, founder of K&K Co., a vegan body care and candle company born from both passion and a deeply personal journey. After experiencing an ectopic pregnancy, I became far more aware of what I was putting in and on my body. I saw how many everyday products were loaded with toxins and unsafe ingredients, and I knew I wanted to create something better — not just for myself, but for others, too. At K&K Co., every candle, body butter, and perfume is hand-crafted in small batches using plant-based, ethically sourced ingredients. Our mission is simple: to make sustainable, clean beauty and home products that turn everyday moments into rituals of self-care. Today, we’re not only serving customers nationwide, but also expanding into wholesale, teaching workshops, and preparing to launch a new fall collection that blends luxury with conscious living.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My husband, Al, saw me clearly before I could see myself. He’s always been the one reminding me of my strength and vision, even when I was second-guessing myself. When I was still just making products at my kitchen table, he told me I wasn’t ‘just making candles’ — I was building a brand. He saw the potential for K&K Co. to be something bigger long before I did, and he’s been by my side through every high, low, and leap of faith.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely. There was a point when supply shortages, rising costs, and personal challenges hit all at once, and I wondered if it was worth it. I was exhausted — physically, emotionally, and financially — and I remember sitting in my workspace thinking, ‘Maybe this is it. Maybe I can’t keep going.’ But then I thought about why I started K&K Co. in the first place — my own health journey, my commitment to creating safe, sustainable products, and the customers who tell me our products are part of their daily self-care. That reminder lit a fire in me. I realized giving up would mean walking away from a vision that’s bigger than me. So instead, I took a breath, adjusted my strategy, and pushed forward. Looking back, that was the moment I proved to myself that I’m not just a business owner — I’m a builder.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to making clean, sustainable self-care the standard — not the exception. That means continuing to grow K&K Co. into a brand that proves you don’t have to compromise your health, your values, or your sense of luxury to take care of yourself. Whether it takes five years or fifty, I’m dedicated to creating products, workshops, and education that shift the way people think about what they put on their skin and in their homes. For me, it’s not just a business goal — it’s a lifelong mission born from my own health journey.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I showed up—fully, authentically, and unapologetically—for my family, my community, and my purpose. That I turned pain into something beautiful and healing, and built a business that not only created products people loved, but also inspired them to live more intentionally. I want the story to be that I cared deeply—about what we put on our skin, the small businesses I championed, and the legacy of love, resilience, and possibility I left behind.

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