Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean Criss.
Hi Jean, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
In April 2017, I launched my post-surgical undergarment line, CRISSCROSS Intimates, at a national breast cancer trade show and expo in Nashville during the anniversary week of my belated Aunt Nina’s birthday. The first bra design, The Nina Bra, was named after my aunt who had died tragically from stage four malignant breast cancer, and she always held a special place in my heart.
Once I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, I innovated a product to keep her memory alive. The trademark was also created in memory of my belated husband, who died in my arms, three days after a horrific automobile accident. Using his last name Criss in the brand, provided me peace and the necessary crossroads to keep his memory alive. I crisscrossed my way to new horizons on a future endeavor that offered passion and enlightenment to many cancer survivors.
The CRISSCROSS Intimate Apparel line serves women and men with post-surgical, adaptive, and activewear to make you “feel confident, and look beautiful or handsome.” Contemporary, colorful, comfortable, versatile, compression, and luxurious undergarments.
As a breast cancer survivor, I never liked what I wore after numerous surgeries. The hospitals would wrap me in layers of gauze and cotton under these ugly, white, utilitarian, uncomfortable bras. I felt like I was wearing a strait jacket on my chopped-up breasts honestly. I had to shift and adjust, hide and cover under apparel to return to work in an attempt to feel whole again. It was a very stressful time, not just from losing my breasts, but from wearing extremely uncomfortable undergarments for 90-120+ days at a time post-surgery. Comfort and fashion were not part of this apparel line and something I truly desired.
So, I set out on a journey to change the fashion industry, and this is how I started. After I published “My Pain Woke Me Up BLISS!”, the first book in a trilogy series discussing love, life, breast cancer survivorship, and the pursuit of happiness, I realized that new contemporary, fashion-forward Bra(s) was what survivors around the world needed, desperately.
One day while recovering in the hospital ward from MRSA, I put pen to paper to design a full post-surgical line of medical garments, such as bras, panties, camisoles, sports bras, a men’s line, scrubs, and gowns, to rock a cancer survivors world and those who care for them. The line was approved and published by the USPTO with a few of the garments introduced to-date.
I am presently seeking angel funding to introduce the additional garments in the line to grow and expand the business. We have over 20 patented designs. The Nina Bra is sold in 10 colorful styles and multiple sizes with matching briefs, thongs, and leggings, and all the necessary accessories one may need during any stage or phase of breast recovery. The men’s line offers compression vests, tanks, tops, and training tights as well. Unique features set our brand apart from others with our patented line as we continue to market to wholesalers, affiliate partners, and direct to consumers.
I utilized media and tech ingenuity to enter the fashion marketplace and self-educated about product design, utility and design patents, trademark and IP protection, patterns, tech packs, cut ‘n sew, fabrics, accessories, sourcing, manufacturers and distribution channel suppliers, etc. You name it, I did it. I basically applied many of the leadership, sales, and marketing tools learned in media and high tech to the fashion industry, and it worked!
My products were well received at 2017 Survivor VILLE, the Nashville premiere of the undergarment line. Since then, I have grown the business with distribution and media partners alike. This is what brought me back to Nashville this past March 2023.
While at Opryland, many of us conference-goers were there to meet with new suppliers in our respective industries with business professionals from around the country. We ventured downtown for a few nights to listen to the great sounds of Nashville rockin’ country tunes. I had a great time visiting music stops on Broadway, and of course, the world-famous, Printer’s Alley. A must-see if you visit, and I look forward to returning.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Determining which suppliers to work with was one of my initial decisions. Qualifying and doing the proper research on various companies, local and national, to ensure they delivered what I was seeking. I wanted my products Made in the USA and started with NYC-based manufacturers to test prototypes and ensure product quality.
As a solopreneur, many of the challenges have been doing it all from design, development, sales, marketing, operations, distribution, fulfillment, etc. While I outsource and utilize subcontractors and partners, the type of growth required to take my business to the next level requires large capital, which I am seeking at present with angel investors. Zero debt has been one of my company strategies and thus, far, I’ve done a good job at that.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have a passion for media and fashion and collaborate on both by managing two complementary businesses – Jean Criss Media and CRISSCROSS Intimates. At Jean Criss Media, we create and innovate, develop digital media strategies, and brand activation campaigns, and write/blog to create experiential solutions for B2B/C/D clients and government-based contracts.
At CRISSCROSS Intimates, we utilize emerging technologies, and revolutionary design with an intimate experience for our customers. Our versatile undergarment line is worn as post-surgical, adaptive, and activewear by women and men.
We have built award-winning products and services in media, fashion, and tech for several years and received hundreds of press mentions.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Yes. As an author, media, tech innovator, and fashion designer, Jean Criss thrives on bringing engaging community and communications to clients in B2B/C/D with products, services, press, and new media. She is a certified woman-owned business and certified at the local, state and federal government levels. Contact Jean for business consultation, project and program management and to learn more about their creative media services at https://JeanCrissMedia/contact. For post-surgical, adaptive, and activewear, CRISSCROSS Intimates are sold at https://CRISSCROSSIntimates.com and please visit their affiliate sites.
Press or media inquiries: info@jeancrissmedia.com. Follow and share: Press, blogs, podcasts, columns, trilogy, radio, video, and social content found here: https://linktr.ee/jeancriss. Author Book Portfolio: https://JeanCrissMedia.com/Books.
Tags: #JeanCriss #JeanCrissMedia #CRISSCROSSIntimates #Entrepreneur #Innovator #Media #Author #FashionDesigner #BreastCancerSurvivor #MadeinUSA #Nashville #WBENC #WOSB #M/WBE #WOBC #NYEDC #NYWIFT #USPTO.
Pricing:
- Business Consultation first call FREE (10 mins)
- Business Consult ($150/hour digital, social, writing, content)
- Business Consult ($500 half day)
- Business Consult (custom by project)
- Shop CRISSCROSS (https://crisscrossintimates.com – Promo VOYAGER 15% off $100)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jeancrissmedia.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jean.criss
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/jeancrissmedia
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/jean-criss
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jean_criss
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jcriss0011/videos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jean-criss-media-new-york-city?osq=jeancrissmedia
- Website: https://crisscrossintimates.com
- Portfolio: https://linktr.ee/jeancriss
