CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fashion Model & Gwendolyn Elizabeth Co-founder, Gwendolyn Carson, announced today that her company has kept its popular brand of hand sanitizer in-stock and readily available throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, in spite of cost increases and supply chain difficulties.
"We've been making this product for more than five years," Carson said. "It's always been popular for its wonderful scents and its essential oils that leave hands softer and less sticky. But now people want it just as much because it exceeds Center for Disease Control (CDC) standards for killing germs with 62-percent Ethyl Alcohol. Almost every day, we're receiving orders from further away — in places like California and New York City. We’re working night and day to keep up with the increased demand."
The company's website, GwendolynElizabeth.com, usually receives a steady flow of orders, with spikes around holiday shopping seasons. But sales of Gwendolyn Elizabeth Hand Sanitizer are growing, and so is the need for production at the small-batch manufacturer located near Cleveland, Ohio.
"We've always made it just a few gallons at a time. And we still do. But now we're making it around the clock," Carson explained. "And I'm proud to say that although our cost of raw materials has increased dramatically, the price we charge per ounce has stayed within a dollar of what we've charged since we opened our doors in 2014."
A successful ballerina and a fashion model with representation in New York City and Honolulu, Carson founded the company with her parents when she was just 14 years young. As her ballet and modeling work led her to spend more time on the road, her mother, Lisa Carson, has taken over the day-to-day operations of the brand. Gwendolyn continues to share responsibilities for product development and strategic direction.
"It's a family affair," the elder Carson said. "We manufacture our hand sanitizer and other bath and body products — we scent them, label them, market them, and sell them — all from within the small manufacturing and retail space where we started. We've always thought of it as a 'back-up plan' for Gwendolyn as she's gained success at her modeling career, but now it's emerging as a full-blown business. Especially during this COVID-19 crisis, we've been shipping hand sanitizer far and wide. Fortunately we've been able to keep it in stock, probably because although we're a successful brand, we're still somewhat of a best-kept secret for many of our customers."
Mother and daughter recently returned from a trip to Honolulu, where they have plans to open a second store near Waikiki once the COVID-19 crisis eases.
Gwendolyn Carson explained, "We're planning to keep manufacturing in Cleveland, but to open a second retail outlet for our brand. Hopefully the success we're having with the hand sanitizer product will facilitate that. It's introducing the brand to customers who hadn't heard of us. That's another reason we're working furiously to keep our hand sanitizers in stock."
Gwendolyn Elizabeth is a bath, body, and candle company, located in Hudson, Ohio, founded to help people relax, to encourage great gift giving, and to make the world a better place. The company supports efforts such as confidence-building programs for girls, efforts to end sickness and poverty, youth sports programs, and other grass-root, charitable organizations. Last year, for example, the company donated more than a quarter of its revenues to people and charities in need. For more information visit gwendolynelizabeth.com.
Gwendolyn Carson is a fashion model represented worldwide by EMG Models and Larson Talent Hawaii. She can be reached on Instagram: @gwendolyncarsonnyc.