Testimonials

Read what our clients say about working with us

“Kelly and the entire KSJ team have been invaluable to our brand’s launch. Kelly helped build out our roadmap and has guided us with clarity in how to navigate the retail landscape. Kelly truly has her fingers on the pulse and quickly helped to plan out the right strategy, land the right conversations with retail partners and sat with us side-by-side through many conversations. Truly can’t recommend Kelly and the KSJ team enough.”

– Chris Kim, CEO of Ebb Ocean Club

 

“We love KSJC’s team. They’ve truly embedded themselves and are part of our in-house team. They’re warm and easy and enjoyable to work with. They’re experts in the beauty space, have and continue to nurture all the key relationships, and know how to build and sustain a brand – they understand the power of brand equity and longevity, and they especially understand our brand. They work quickly, are always on top of inbound and outbound, and they prioritize brand in every decision. We’re very lucky and grateful to call them part of our team!”

– Cynthia Sakai, Founder of Evolvetogether

 

“Kelly is our fantastic buyer whisperer. Working with her, and the amazing KSJC team, has been a game changer for our US expansion. We built a strong relationship and are beyond proud to count her as our ears, eyes, and mouth in the retail industry. Her support is priceless. And it’s only the beginning of our journey.”

– Camille Tard, Founder of Manucurist

 

“I’ve had various wholesale partners since starting my business and KSJ Collective is by far the most dedicated, diligent and effective. Communication and transparency is so important for indie brands whose time is stretched thin, and they do an amazing job of balancing autonomy with consistent updates. On top of everything, the whole team is kind and warm. I feel extremely confident about the way they represent my brand!”

– Shannon Davenport, Founder of Esker

 

“Kelly is a respected veteran in the beauty industry, and in this rapidly changing environment, it is almost impossible to navigate without an expert on your team. She has strong relationships with most retailers, industry experts, investors etc. I believe Kelly’s true point of differentiation is in her mindful approach to retail distribution. She looks at your brand, provides tangible feedback on social media, DTC website, and brand positioning to determine the best path forward. Kelly understands the definition of success for a brand founder and has been a huge asset to Ranavat!”

– Michelle Ranavat, Founder and CEO of Ranavat

 

“Kelly and her team have been a great asset to me as the brand founder as we develop our retail business after a good success story in the DTC spectrum. Having worked with other advisors in the past, I found Kelly to be very focused, humble and sincere, and someone I consider, in a very short span of time, to be an important part of our key team and our future plans as not only does she bring a wealth of knowledge and connections, but she possesses a great business sense and can work as a true advisor who actually understands the bottom line. She along with Alex who I also worked with would be a valuable resource for any brand, small or large.”

– Hayan Merchant, CEO of Navitus Parfums

 

“We were introduced to KSJC through a mutual colleague in the beauty space. The fact that Kelly chose to work with us felt like we had won the lottery. There are so few individuals who possess the grace, elegance, savvy, and leadership that Kelly and her team command. The true test of any partnership is positive results. In short order, KSJC landed us our dream retailer. They guided every step of the journey, allowing us to capitalize on the success of their expertise. Without hesitation, I would recommend Kelly St. John and her team for any retail beauty support.”

– Leah Garcia, Founder & CEO of NULASTIN

 

“As a marine scientist in Miami— Kelly’s expertise in presenting to beauty buyers has been priceless. Within our first few months of working with Kelly we had sampled most National retailers. She is responsive, thoughtful and works tirelessly for long-term brand goals. She has brought me confidence in presentations and the needed resources and amazing talent to help catapult Miami Beach Bum into National retailers.”

– Ayssa DiPietro, Founder of Miami Beach Bum

 

“Working with Kelly has been an incredible journey for both Byroe and me. As a founder, I have often felt uncertain about the decisions I make, questioning whether they are the right ones. Since partnering with Kelly, many of these concerns have been alleviated. Kelly’s approach is both sharp and strategic, yet her warm personality makes industry newcomers feel welcome and able to learn easily, from the smallest details to the biggest strategies. Her deep industry knowledge, keen insight, and extensive network have unveiled opportunities I hadn’t even considered. I am immensely grateful for Kelly’s support and expertise as I continue to grow my brand.”

– Amy Roe, CEO of BYROE

 

“Working with Kelly has been the booster rocket my business needed. Her extensive industry insights, savvy, and network have presented opportunities I was unable to procure, and others I didn’t even know existed. Her manner is warm and diplomatic, yet focused and strategic, and she is the consummate professional right down to her excellent communication skills. I am grateful to have Kelly and KSJ Collective’s support and guidance as I continue to build my brand.”

– Jenny Patinkin, Founder and CEO, Jenny Patinkin

 

“From the get-go, Kelly and her team provided a level of commitment that made us feel like we were their only clients. Their dedication to realizing the dreams of brand founders is unparalleled. I cannot recommend Kelly and her team highly enough. From a business perspective, they helped us get off the ground at lightning speed. But more importantly, they are a wonderful bunch of people.”

– Klaartje Schade, Director of MWANI Zanzibar

 

“I call Kelly my guardian angel. I began working with her before I launched my brand and she was instrumental in guiding me with tactical advice and really helping me think ahead to what will be important in my journey as a beauty entrepreneur. After launch, she went full force in creating a really tight retail distribution strategy that I felt took into account my current capabilities, and sought out partners that would be strong advocates for our brand. I can tell you that I would not have been able to secure early partnerships without Kelly and her team. Her extraordinarily broad relationships with retail partners, her years of experience, and her keen eye for what makes brands successful, are all assets beyond the services she provides. She owns our success just as much as we do and I could not ask for a better retail distribution partner.”

– Leona Dondi, Founder of UZIMA

 

“KSJ Collective has been instrumental in Viktor Michael’s success, driving the development of strategic and sustainable retail channels. Their expertise in strong multi-door management and access to a skilled team covering national and independent accounts have given us a deep understanding of maximizing our Omni channel approach. Kelly St. John and her team are pivotal to executing our vision.”

– Nadya Kozlova, Co-Founder of Viktor Michael

 

“The amount of time, attention and dedication Kelly gives to you and your brand, it makes you feel like you are the only client she is working with. Her experience, expertise and network in the industry is bar none. I feel so lucky to be working with you, Kelly.”

– Sejal Patel, Founder of Plantkos

 

“It’s always such a great pleasure to work with Kelly. Her knowledge and connections in the Beauty industry, especially in the USA have been invaluable. We share a strong belief in the values of honesty and integrity and the importance of relationships, and this is seen time and time again in the respect she garners at all levels with the wide range of brands she works with.”

– Aaron Chatterley, Founder of FeelUnique

 

“We came to meet Kelly St. John through a former client (and dear friend) who was working with her and sung her praises. Coincidentally – another friend – a long time beauty industry veteran who worked at Neiman Marcus with Kelly said… the one person that truly “gets” everything about the beauty/wellness business is Kelly St. John. She truly lives up to her reputation. She and her team are smart, experts in the industry while being thoughtful, instinctual and insightful. They have helped inform our product expansion and will champion our retail outreach plan with their amazing insights – a true partnership toward a successful future.”

– Jen De Klaver, CEO and Co-Founder of Figaro Apothecary

 

“Kelly is a dynamic, energetic, and highly effective professional who is an absolute delight to work with. She has been an invaluable asset to our team for nearly three years now. Kelly has helped us refine our strategy and be sure we are putting our best foot forward when we have an opportunity to meet with a potential, new wholesale account. Because Kelly only works with brands she loves and believes in, when she opens doors to her vast professional connections she has made over her long, impressive career, she maintains credibility, and her partners trust she is not abusing the relationship or wasting their time. I am grateful to have Kelly’s time and trust- she is a tremendous partner.”

– Alissa Bayer, Founder and Owner of Milk + Honey

 

“I met Kelly two years ago when I was part of The Detox Market Launchpad, and we immediately clicked. I originally came to her to better understand the US retail landscape. Little did I know that being part of the KSJ Collective was so much more than sound advice, but it was unparalleled access to Kelly’s extensive network in the industry, including retailers, beauty buyers, fellow founders, as well as investors, veteran beauty executives, consultants and other vendors I did not know existed. I can say with absolute confidence that having Kelly and KSJ Collective has helped take my company to places I could not have gone on my own. My only regret is not meeting her sooner in my entrepreneurial journey.”

– Salwa Peterson, Founder of Salwa Peterson

 

“Ashley and the KSJC team have a deep knowledge of retail and have been trusted brand partners as we grow our business. They are driven, candid, compassionate and a true pleasure to work with. They understand both the growth levers and the soft side of the retail business and are widely respected in the industry. We’ve loved having them as an extension of our team!”

– Jayme Jenkins, Co-Founder of Everist

 

“Kelly, Ashley and the entire KSJ team have been critical partners in both brand incubation and launch of DEINDE. They have been highly invested in our success, consummate professionals, and seamless extensions of our team. We have not only found them highly knowledgeable of the prestige retail landscape with extensive negotiation & sales experience, but direct and warm advisors, coaches, and cheerleaders in navigating the nuanced world of beauty buying and merchandising.”

– Dominique Gagnon, President and GM of DEINDE