The Gently Journal: Q1 2025

Hi Gently Gang! 

We’re three months into 2025 and with the end of quarter one, I wanted to write to you personally and let you know what I’ve been up to! 

Transparently, this was a difficult quarter for me. While Gently had a lot of highs - the loss of a great mentor, friend, and light in my entrepreneurial journey hit me hard. 

Robert “Bob” Pinckney was my entrepreneurship professor during my tenure at The University of Georgia. Even as I write these words, it still feels incredibly wrong to be using the past tense. If you’ve been lucky enough in life to meet someone who completely changes the trajectory of your future - then you’ve met someone like Bob. 

I first met Bob on campus after the pandemic when I decided to visit his office with a predicament - I had accidentally started a soap company during quarantine. That day was a pivotal moment in my journey with Gently as at this time, all I ever thought Gently would amount to was a side hustle while I accepted my job offer with the USDA. 

(Photo Credit: Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)

Sure I was incredibly passionate about the soaps I was making, but I was raised my whole life to be practical when it came to academics and choosing careers. I was an overachiever in the classroom, attaching to good grades, awards and high praise. But the soap I was making and the person I was discovering within myself while doing it had me second guessing all practicality. 

But still, becoming a national Shark Tank brand was way out of the realm of possibility for college-aged me. However, it wasn’t for Bob. He saw me for what I was - an innovator with a wild dream that would not quit. 

He quickly gave me the application to enroll in the university’s accelerator programs and within a couple of months - I had won my first award. I didn’t stop there. With his guidance and eternal support, I went on to become the most awarded student to come out of the UGA entrepreneurship program and the first and currently only student to make it to the Tank. 

After every win - Shark Tank, Oprah’s Favorite Things, Good Morning America and more - he was always the first person I texted or called. I remember every talk we have had with a sense of nostalgia now - and a pain I can’t quite describe. There are some people you always imagine walking alongside of you. You never quite think about what happens if you lose them. 

I have never had a favorite professor. Most professors just expected me to be their student and that always came with friction because, after Gently, my passion wasn’t in being in school - it was preparing for the world outside of it. 

Then I met Bob and he was the first professor and person who encouraged me to shoot for the stars and fostered a place to let my creativity burn bright rather than stifle it.He never allowed me to - even for a second - limit my imagination. He always told me what he thought I could be, what he thought I could do, and who he saw I was before I even believed it in myself. 

Usually leaving college and graduating makes educational connections grow dull but not ours. The year after graduating was when talking to Bob became paramount - especially when I commuted back to campus in Spring 2024 to finish my MBA. Bob and I had talks and meals multiple times a week and as he struggled with the pain from the cancer we both didn’t know he had at the time he had entrusted me with keys to his jeep to drive him to and from his classes.

I say this because it’s an important part of this story. Bob had pains so bad that he often couldn’t walk or stand in class or do long drives. The last time I saw Bob - he drove from Athens all the way to my hometown of Dallas, Georgia just to say a speech at my million dollar celebration party. I kept thinking how hard that drive must’ve been for him - but he came - and he said the most amazing words and I will cherish that speech for the rest of my life.

So if you haven’t quite got where I’m going with this - I’ll tell you. Bob is, and always will be, my favorite professor. 

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Despite my great sadness, Gently continued to flourish because of customers like you - and I cannot thank you enough for that. 

In January, we began surveys to get to know you all more. The Gently Gang is now over 45,000 strong and I wanted to get to know all of the new members! We’ll be sending out another survey soon so if you missed the first one - don’t worry! I got you! 

In February, we won the Oprah Daily Bath O-Wards “Best Bar Soap for Sensitive Skin.” It’s been on my vision board for a VERY long time get a beauty award and to now have one that verbatim says the words that I’ve always believed in my heart means the world.

In March, we were on Good Morning America Steals and Deals again for Women’s History Month! We SOLD OUT of multiple products and the overwhelming response and trip to NYC was a much needed reprieve for me after such a grim February. 

Then on the exact same day, I flew back home to Georgia to watch the premiere of our Shark Tank Update in which you can see my community of team members, friends, family, investors, mentors and more - including Bob - having such an incredible celebration for hitting our big $1M milestone last year. 

Now it’s April and I’ve been humbled to help judge or speak at a string of pitch competitions across the south - one at Tulane and one at the UGA Tifton campus. I love meeting young entrepreneurs and giving them a little fuel to chase their dreams as people like Bob once did for me. 

All bar soap pre-orders are in the mail and trickling out. 

If you pre-ordered a shampoo bar - you’ll be the first to receive the new products when they launch this summer with a special thank you gift from me 🩵

I end this update with a sheer appreciation and immense gratitude for the company that each of you have helped me build. Thank you - from the bottom of my heart. 

Cherish the ones who have shaped you - you never know when your next conversation will be the last. 

Love each other through all of life’s ups and downs and always remember - spread joy and live gently. 

With Care, 

Kristen