Sam Crosby launched Explicit Essentials in Queens, New York, in March of 2018 after she was unable to find a gift for a friend. Her intent was to “create badass products for badass women.”
Sam believes in keeping it 100% real in life and within here products. All Explicit Essentials products are handmade using the purist essential oils. All Explicit Essentials are handmade with premium ingredients in small batches to keep things fresh. The company is 100% women owned and operated company. Accounting, makers, order packers, photographers, and social media management, etc. is all done by women.
Grit Daily: What inspired you to create Explicit Essentials?
Sam Crosby: Explicit Essentials started as a typical find a need, fill a need story. I was trying to find a really funny gift set for a friend and couldn’t find what I was looking for so I decided to give a DIY gift. My other friends loved it so much, I made them some too and it all really snowballed from there.
Grit Daily: What goals did you have in mind when you started Explicit Essentials and what are your goals moving forward?
Sam Crosby: The goals are pretty similar from beginning to now. I wanted to make badass products for badass people and that is still the goal today with the only change being that we are doing it on a much larger scale. We’re currently in 200+ retail stores, subscription boxes, and we’re always finding new creative ways to expand.
Grit Daily: What significant challenges have you faced within the wellness industry?
Sam Crosby: Marketing is a huge challenge for us as we can’t run ads the traditional way because of the mature language so all of our following and orders are coming organically. We also do get some push back from time to time but the overwhelming amount of feedback we get is wholeheartedly positive.
Grit Daily: What initiatives is the brand taking to make a difference and give back?
Sam Crosby: Every month we pick a product and a charity, and a portion of the proceeds go to that charity. This past June we did a “Mother Fucking Majestic” rainbow lotion and the donations went to The Trevor project. Next month we’re doing a “Fall Of The Patriarchy” sugar scrub and the donations will go to Equality Now, which is a charity fighting for equality for women and girls. We’re always looking for new and exciting ways to expand our charitable efforts globally and locally.
