My name is Kristen Critz and I'm the creator of The Modern Essential. I love fine art, a fluffy white bed, photography, peonies, white marble counter tops, rose gold, a short flat white, and of course essential oils.
I met my husband, Jordan Critz when I was 19 while he was on a shopping excursion searching for the perfect candle for his music studio. Turned out he had also been leading worship at the church I had attended for years and we had never met. (Probably a good thing since I would have been under age and all). We took a huge leap of faith back in 2015 when we left behind everything that was comfortable and safe in our home town of Fort Worth, Texas and bundled up our son, Hudson, and moved to the music city of Nashville, TN. Predictability is not something that is common in our household since he and I both are creatives. We moved there without a plan, no contract on a house or apartment and no steady paying job. Sound crazy, right?! We heard the Lord say, “go” so off we went!
I studied studio art at the University of North Texas and my first career was in photography. I shot weddings, portraits, and fashion and assisted on corporate shoots in Dallas. After I had my son in 2014, I quickly saw how the balancing act of scheduling photo shoots while being a work at home mama was going to be tough. I had been using essential oils for about a year when a light bulb turned on and I realize that I could help others learn how to use their oils and create a business with it.
Today (March 2017) just under three short years later we have over 14,000 friends and families who have joined the journey with essential oils. It's been a wild ride with countless testimonies of friends finding some amazing relief for their families.
Outside of my passion for health, I have also been extremely passionate about helping people become financially free. My parents founded a financial ministry and have helped people for years and years get out of debt and be free of those chains. That passion has been passed down to me and this business with essential oils has been a tangible way to help friends pursue that exact freedom.
Jordan, Hudson, and Ford (our newest Critz addition) are continuing our journey here in the hills of Tennessee, renovating our home on Granny White Pike (yep that’s a real street name), dreaming of monthly beach trips down 30A, and diffusing all the oils.
If I could, I would have you over for a cup of coffee here in the hills of Tennessee and hear about your life and your journey. I would also send you on your way with any and all oils you need. Since we are internet friends and I can’t transport you here, check out the blog section to take away some great DIYs and tips to start adding oils into your life!!
we get to pair beauty with wisdom through wellness. I kind of feel like the oily lifestyle is breaking the status quo- doing things different is freeing
My name is Katy and gosh it is so nice to meet you! I am a co-leader here at The Modern Essential and am so honored to have this platform to empower and encourage women just like YOU to live their best life!
A little about me- I met my husband over 10 years ago during college in the small town of Denton, TX around the same time that Kristen and I first became friends. (yes, we go way back!) Both of our husbands played music and we have always been their biggest fans. After getting married, my husband and I felt the need for adventure, change (and the beach), and with his acceptance into UCSD in sunny San Diego, we packed up a moving truck with all of our belongings and headed west where we have lived now for a little over 5 years.
Since moving to San Diego, my husband acquired a PhD in engineering, we fell in love with our local church C3 San Diego, we got a labradoodle named Ellie, had a son and named him Zeke Bravery, and are now about to move into our VERY first home and welcome our daughter Everly Hope into the world. Life is FUN!
My background includes teaching, social work, business management, and ministry. I have really put my communications degree to good use, but I have to say owning my own business and finding my voice to help reach beautiful people like yourself has topped the cake for what I have put my hands too!
What I love the most about The Modern Essential is how we get to pair beauty with wisdom through wellness. I kind of feel like the oily lifestyle is breaking the status quo- doing things different is freeing, and building a community of women who are on a mission filled with purpose is addicting! Like seriously you guys- I’m obsessed.💁🏼
So have a look around our site, reach out and say hello, and be SURE to accept our invitation to walking you through how you can begin your wellness journey with us- because you are WORTH it and it’s not the same without you!!! 🌿🌾✨💫
join the team
Come join over 15,000 other friends at The Modern Essential. When you join, you’ll be added to the magical world of The Modern Essential facebook group. This is where you can come and learn about how to use your oils, ask us questions, hear testimonies from others on the team, grab some freebies, and stay updated from myself and the other TME leaders. We can’t wait for you to dive in with us and start to see your home and health transform after using oils!