Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Crosby.
Caitlin, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up acting & singing, and 10 years ago started LoveYourFlawz with Brie Larson, a campaign to go along with my ‘Flawz’ album. While on a music tour, I thought my NYC hotel room key was cool, so I had a locksmith engrave ‘LoveYourFlawz’ on the key. While I was there I saw all these old, unwanted keys and so I asked him to engrave those with other inspirational words. I turned those into necklaces and gave them away… but then started selling them at my merch tables on tour. They started selling out more than my CDs and I knew I struck a chord in people. I saw how impactful these words were and how badly these people wanted/needed them. I loved talking with them after the shows & helping them figure out the word hey should get, and then little by little, organically came up with the Pay It Forward concept. I told them, these aren’t just for you; It shouldn’t stop here! Keep your eyes open for other people who need it more than you! Embrace it for yourself first, own your word, and then pass it on. Then people started writing to me their stories of their keys being passed all-around the world and I was crying all the time, I was so touched by how these little tokens were so deeply touching people’s lives.
And then one day I was leaving church by myself on Hollywood Blvd and I saw this young homeless couple. They were soaking wet from sitting in the rain & lived in a cardboard box in a dumpster. I took them out to dinner at a restaurant just to encourage them and love on them. And then had my ‘aha moment’ and said ‘YOU’RE the missing link to The Giving Keys!!! Do you guys want to be my business partners?!?!” They said yes & the next day we started working together. Little by little, they saved up enough money to stay in a motel & then got their own apartment. And since then we’ve grown to create more than 80 jobs for people transitioning out of homelessness.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Headquartered in Los Angeles since 2012, The Giving Keys mission is to be a solution and example for ending homelessness, one job at a time, one key at a time. We have developed a unique Social Impact business model, allowing The Giving Keys to not just employ people transitioning out of homelessness, but also create a supportive environment.
The Giving Keys specializes in inspirational jewelry and products that are intended to be shared with others, because we believe that paying it forward is the ripple effect that will change the world. Every product is stamped with a word of inspiration like DREAM, CREATE or INSPIRE. The intention is that you wear and embrace your word, then Pay It Forward to someone who needs that message more than you. Then people come back to our website and share their stories with us, it’s amazing to read through all the incredible journeys these keys have gone through.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes it’s a great place to start a social impact business! People in Los Angeles are conscious consumers, and they want to support businesses like ours, not just by purchasing from us, but also by supporting us with resources and just getting the word out about what we do.
Contact Info:
- Address: Come shop our Airstream in the Arts District!
836 Traction Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90013 - Website: www.thegivingkeys.com
- Email: help@thegivingkeys.com
- Instagram: @thegivingkeys
- Facebook: @thegivingkeys
- Twitter: @thegivingkeys
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
