Actress, singer, songwriter and entrepreneur Caitlin Crosby knows a thing or two about inspiring others. She began writing songs with Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds in high school and subsequently signed to his label, Arista Records.
Growing up in Hollywood and working in the entertainment industry inspired Caitlin to launch the campaign LoveYourFlawz to support those dealing with body image issues, with the release of debut album “Flawz” in 2009 through Blackledge/Atlantic Records.
While on tour, Caitlin started The Giving Keys which employs those transitioning out of homelessness to make jewelry out of repurposed keys. Each key is engraved with a message like FEARLESS, HOPE, STRENGTH or COURAGE. When the wearer of the key encounters someone else who needs the message - they are encouraged to give it away and share their “pay it forward” story.
Over the last three years, The Giving Keys has employed 28 people who have struggled with homelessness, helped 22 move into permanent housing, and collected thousands of pay it forward stories. Today, they have over 50 employees and their products are sold at Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Fred Segal, Kitson and nearly 2,000 other retail stores around the world.
Caitlin’s story and mission behind The Giving Keys has been featured on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, The Today Show, People Magazine, The Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, E! News, The Steve Harvey Show, Ellen, and countless other media outlets. In 2010, for O Magazine’s 10 year anniversary, Caitlin was chosen as a spokesperson for Oprah’s top 10 favorite charities at her “Live Your Best Life” events. Since then, her speaking circuit has expanded to include at TEDx, Stanford University, Saddleback Business Summit with Arianna Huffington, Create + Cultivate, Catalyst, and many other conferences.
Even with her plate full as Founder and CEO, Caitlin has appeared in dozens of TV shows, commercials, and films, including a worldwide Levi's Jeans campaign. Last year, she released an EP ‘Save That Pillow’ with Adam Anders from ‘Glee,’ and she’s currently working on finishing her next album. We can't wait to see where all the creative inspiration will lead her next...
“There are locks all around you and maybe you hold the key to someone else's freedom.”- Caitlin