How This Jewelry Designer Is Expanding Her Message Of Hope
The Giving Keys founder Caitlin Crosby
A version of this story first appeared on Forbes.com
Spreading positive messages has always important to Caitlin Crosby. As the founder and CEO of jewelry brand with a purpose The Giving Keys, she has helped transition individuals out of homelessness while developing a brand that would share messages of kindness and encouragement. Caitlin has created a powerful “pay it forward” movement (Giving Keys customers are encouraged to pass their keys, which are engraved with words like “Believe”, “Inspire”, and “Fearless”, to someone who needs the message) that counts Taylor Swift, Kristen Bell, and Ryan Gosling among the brand’s fans.
Now Caitlin has written a book, entitled You Are The Key: Turning Imperfections Into Promise as a way to expand her message of hope to an even wider audience. In it, she shares stories from both her personal and professional life, all with the end goal of spreading self-love and positivity.
We spoke with Caitlin to hear more about her journey so far and what she hopes readers will gain from her new book.
Caitlin’s new book You Are The Key: Turning Imperfections Into Purpose
SIMPLY: Tell us about your experience launching jewelry brand The Giving Keys. What initially inspired launching the brand?
CAITLIN CROSBY: 11 years ago, I first started paying a locksmith to engrave inspirational words onto keys to sell at my music tours, and after seeing how hungry consumers were for inspiration, I came up with the concept to pass on their key to someone they felt needed it more than them. And since I was always passionate about the issue of homelessness growing up in Los Angeles, I started using the company to create jobs for those experiencing homelessness.
S: How has The Giving Keys grown over the years?
CC: We have sold close to two million keys and have now employed over 130 people who are transitioning out of homelessness. We have been sold worldwide, everywhere from Starbucks to Nordstrom and so on.
S: What has been your proudest achievement as a business owner so far?
CC: Though getting Oprah’s support and recognition with making her Super Soul 100 list, the proudest I have felt is when one of our old employees Eric, who transitioned out of homelessness due to our business, came by to visit, and said, “This changed my life. I will remember you on my death bed.” And of course the tears went streaming.
S: Your new book, You Are The Key: Turning Imperfections Into Purpose, discusses both professional and personal milestones and memories of yours. How did you know now was the right time to share your experiences?
CC: I know how many people have been helped by our brand, and I knew we needed to take it to a deeper level to encourage our customers (and myself) into more healing and freedom.
S: What do you hope that readers take away from the book?
CC: I hope they no longer feel alone in the struggles of being a business owner, a mother, and/or a human. I hope they know that the perseverance and resilience of getting back up again will lead to feeling the strength they’ve had inside all along.
Caitlin’s new book You Are The Key: Turning Imperfections Into Purpose is available May 12th.