On the Summit’s Horizon: Kenny and Ashley Green - KAAN Designs
By Rev. Christopher W. Riley
FWIS Contributing Writer
“Get in the picture!” This is the tagline of KAAN Designs (pronounced can). Ashley Green is inspired by her late mother Yulanda Tate who died suddenly on Mother’s Day in 2007. “I didn’t have any pictures of my mother and didn’t want to fall in the same trap," said Ashley Green.
Ashley has been the mastermind behind creating memories for families since 2014. What started as a project during maternity leave has become a business with a worldwide distribution. KAAN Designs which utilizes the first initial of the Green Family tribes names has experienced highs and lows over the last 10 years. Kenny and Ashley’s faith tells them that the “good outweighs the bad” and “best is yet to come, it is all for God’s glory”.
Ashley’s dad, Steve Tate, gave her a loan for $200 to launch the business despite not fully understanding the concept. “He is surprised that we are still selling after 10 years. We still have people to reach, everyone doesn’t have our products. We are so grateful that he believed in us,” said Kenny and Ashley.
Ashley may have had the vision initially, but she has not worked the vision without the help of her husband Kenny. Kenny has taken the lead in marketing the brand. You can find him going live to tell the story on various social media platforms. Ashley describes the relationship as an author and illustrator. They have also incorporated the children in the process of storytelling and creative design. Aiden, 13 the Remix, Noah 11, the Encore and Kensley 5, the Mic Drop. “I wanted a Mom and Son matching set, said Ashley and Kenny wasn’t sure people would get it, but the design has become a cultural phenomenon.”
As much as they create from their own table, “we do respect one another’s privacy”, according to Ashley and Kenny Green. “We never want the children to feel like pawns. As a result of their participation in the business, the children have learned the value of hard work and respect the process of entrepreneurship,” said Ashley.
“Business is hard, it is not always an upward climb,” said Ashley. The Green’s had to end a leasing contract early on a warehouse space in 2022. However, the leaser encouraged them to keep going. He shared the sage advice, businesses that thrive are those that don’t quit. Our parents echoed the same advice. As a result of not quitting, the Greens’ have partnered with Amazon through a Business Accelerated Program which took Ashley to the corporate headquarters in Seattle. She and Kenny recently toured the new Fort Wayne facility on US 30 West. KAAN Designs is now selling on Amazon.
“The business has become huge, bigger than I believed it would ever be”. They are now shipping worldwide. What a Blessing! They have done things and been places I never had the opportunity to experience.” said Evangelist Danita Lehman, mother of Kenny Green.
We placed our God-Sized dreams on the wall as a part of our prayer life. We know that as the blessings came to pass, only God can explain.
The Greens’ journey was blessed with a God-Sized Dream coming true when American talk show host, media producer, actress and author Oprah Winfrey selected The Original, The Remix, The Encore and Mic Drop brand as one of the 72 gifts featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things List 2020 in O, The Oprah Magazine. (Oprah endorsing KaAn’s Designs is Positively Fort Wayne | WANE 15)
I love the Remix, said Oprah.
According to Oprah Magazine's Favorite Things Issue, “These cool pj’s keep in the family…They’re perfect for a Christmas morning photo op! said Winfrey.
When asked what advice would you share with someone launching a business? The Green’s said, “Start where you are. Take the first step! If we waited, we don’t know if it would have happened. I had a love for education but realized it wasn’t my purpose even though I am still passionate about education and education policy. I wasn’t looking at going back into the classroom, so I needed to supplement my income. As I began the design process, I realized that everything belonged to the children. I wanted products that spoke to Mom-Life”.
Ashley remembers being elated when the first person placed an order out of South Carolina. “This was the first day we posted on Instagram. Someone placed an order, and I didn’t know them. This was an early sign that we were destined for success.”
In the roughest of times, we never go without, said the Greens. “We are blessed with mentors who are walking alongside that are showing us what business really looks like and how to proactively plan fiscally. I want to mentor others; I understand that entrepreneurship can be a lonely space. If you desire to launch a business I will be your biggest cheerleader," said Ashley Green.
You can learn more about KAAN Designs by visiting their website, www.kaandesigns.com; Facebook-Kaandesigns; Instagram: @kaandesigns and @kaansfamilyvlog. There is something for everyone now that the Green’s have expanded the brand outside of the initial design.
“They are my babies, and I am so proud. I know that Ashley’s mother Yulanda is smiling from the Balcony of Heaven,” said Lehman.