Targeting these 'Generation Y' consumers--which research showed to be an underserved segment of the market--Soft Sheen went for an innovative, fresh look and feel in its product packaging and ad copy. Gardner will remain at the helm of Soft Sheen. With this war chest, he mounted a campaign that registered more than 200,000 voters. Three boys and one girl: Gary, Guy, Tracy and Terri. The Gardners claim Namaste's growth occurred through listening to the needs and desires of customers for healing hair care products that reminded them of nourishing household remedies. subcat: '', tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { Son of Edward George and Betty Ann (Gueno) Gardner. pos: 'right_rail_3', See Photos. WebGardner, Gary Edward was born on August 22, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He taught me how to engage people with humanity and humility., Gardners daughter, Terri, said: My father saw the untapped potential of his community. Our purpose in life was to do all we possibly can that God (put) us here to do to make life better for all human beings. Gardner, the co-founder of the hair care company Soft Sheen Products Inc., died Monday surrounded by family. My mother let him know that the pans were off limits because we needed to eat.. I feel blessed to have had Ed Gardner as my father. tude.refreshAdsViaDivMappings([ { On Thursday, the lives and efforts of these civic pillars were celebrated by hundreds of people including dignitaries, public officials, and former Soft Sheen employees. L'Oreal found it shared a lot "in common values" with Soft Sheen, he added. Honoring the Legacy of A Great Chicagoan and Black The Soft Sheen Products co-founder was a devoted advocate of Chicagos African-American community. He made his own way.. He also cut operational costs, in an effort to boost profits. Mr. Gardner died Monday at his home near 91st Street and Michigan Avenue, where he spent all but four of his 98 years, his family said. Gardners charitable contributions were in the tens of thousands of dollars to fight gun violence. The Citizen Newspaper Group Honoring the Legacy of A Great Chicagoan and Black Business In 1987, Soft Sheen moved to compensate for diminishing domestic sales by expanding its presence in overseas markets. He overcame it. Gary Gardner. Mr. Gardner sold the business in 1998. He was 98 years old. He believed in himself and his ability to not just hope things worked out, but to make sure things worked out. He taught for several years in Chicago Public Schools and was also an administrator. Since 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. INFORMATION (Provided) Edward Gardners early efforts at making Black hair care products started in the family kitchen, with his In addition to his son Gary, survivors include three other children, Terri, Guy and Tracy, and his wife, Bettiann. Mr. Gardner was a well-known philanthropist and activist. Soft Sheen markets its products in several countries, including Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean, as well as in the United States. I feel blessed to have had Ed Gardner as my father. Gardner and his wife Bettiann founded the company in 1964. SOFT SHEEN Principal Subsidiaries: Dyke & Dryden, Ltd. (U.K.; 66%); Soft Sheen Products, Ltd. (Jamaica); Soft Sheen International. Its founders, Edward and Bettiann Gardner, began the business when they became aware that there was a decided lack of hair care products formulated for people of color. Edward G. Gardner, a breakthrough businessman in the beauty industry and co-founder of Soft Sheen Products, has passed away, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. The house in which he died Monday was two houses down from the home where he grew up, his family said. He started off on [his wifes] stove. He taught me the value of a strong work ethic. Gary Gardner Soft Sheen As the oldest, I think I spent the most time with him as a child. Black Enterprise is a black-owned multimedia company. Gardner aid: '864241', L'Oreal, which had a reputation for heavy investment in research and development, expected its new Chicago center to be operational by the year 2001. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Chicago State University, https://www.csu.edu/foundation/donate.htm. Gardner will remain at the helm of Soft Sheen. About Us ORS Hair Care Soft Sheen's already exponential sales growth got a further boost in the 1980s from the widespread vogue of the 'Jheri-curl' hairstyle. He was the embodiment of the hard-working, family-focused, responsible Black father. He taught me to garden. He leaves a legend of love and a powerful life for the world to remember. based on Chicagos South Side, evolved into one of the nations largest Black-owned businesses. ft. warehouse at 95th & Cottage Grove into House of Kicks, a family entertainment and educational complex. divId: 'div-gpt-ad-rightrail-1',