Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystal Frame.
Hi Krystal, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Before moving to Austin, I was working in NYC for various women’s wear labels. I worked in production, design, and showrooms for the market season. Having had access to various parts of the supply chain, I saw many flaws in the system that I couldn’t stand by any longer. The lack of sustainable practices and acknowledgment of the unfair work environment was pretty unsettling.
At times I also lived an alternate life of working in hospitality such as; bartending, serving, and barista work. Again, I saw various sections of the day-to-day business to be doing more harm than good to our planet. There is a time I always recall closing down a small bar I worked at and noticing I had tossed ten bottles of liquor in the trash. At the time, I hadn’t seen any form of recycling in any of the restaurants I worked in. Don’t get me started on the massive amounts of food waste…
Safe to say, I was frustrated on all fronts with both industries, hoping for change. So I thought to myself, what if I could create that change? What if I opened up my own retail/restaurant that was the template for a conscious brick and mortar. Attempting to do it all, as they say!
About five years ago, I began developing the idea, making Pinterest boards, hoping I would just take the leap to make this dream happen. It wasn’t until the last year when I was furloughed from my job, that I finally decided to give the idea the attention it deserved.
After being furloughed last year, I began to research and digest any information I could get my hands on. Gaining as much insight as I could on how to create and run a business that eco-conscious to its core.
While I was researching, I needed to figure out what the next steps would be for me to support my daughter and myself. How could I make a mini version of sustain frame?
The idea launched with me creating a three-course dinner experience for two centered on a theme. Everything would be sourced locally from farms and markets, I would create a Spotify playlist and mini bouquets, as well as suggest movies for the evening.
My first experience was developed two weeks after the protest in June and I wanted to stay true to my roots and my community creating a black lives matter dinner series. Intentionally I choose to be inspired by my upbringing in the south and cook soul food dishes that reminded me of home. Pairing the meal with an all-black artist playlist and flowers that represented the African-American culture. Both the produce and vegan ice cream I sourced were local and black women-owned businesses. All of the proceeds were donated to a local non-profit, black mama’s that focuses on providing support for expecting woc.
While working with these vendors and farmers, I also wanted to take the opportunity to share their story with my community.
This went on for about four months with new themes every week.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a bit rough especially trying to balance raising a child as a single mother and trying to make a living for both of us. Having to navigate time and financial struggles.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Our online store features items that are carefully sourced and curated to pair with our scheduled list of experiences and events.
We have also set a list of standard expectations for the products we carry. We completely understand that no company is 100% perfect, neither are we!
The understanding does depend on knowing that most of the brands we work with must exhibit certain forms of transparency. This is to ensure that we provide a conscious consumer a trusted resource for purchasing goods.
Our signature dinner series experience is a themed event that brings advocacy for environmental and racial justice issues to the realm of storytelling.
By carefully crafting our experiences to be safe spaces for individuals to either learn or share with others, we believe we can be a support to the systemic changes that are needed throughout various industries.
We aspire to bring mindfulness and purpose to your MEALS by way of locally sourced GOOD that honor the creators we’ve gathered from. By providing insightful alternatives, we can be the result of a systematic change to the disruptive food systems.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was very nurturing, outgoing, and a bit shy at the same time. I signed up for everything. I liked to be a part of groups, especially ones that were making change or doing good in the community. I’ve always been creative, either crafting things at home or dressing up for the day.
Pricing:
- ONLINE STORE – $8- 48
- DINNERS – $35- $100
- WORKSHOPS – $15 – $35
Contact Info:
- Website: WWW.SUSTAIN-FRAME.COM
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sustainframe/
Image Credits
HANNAH LASURE
