For Chris Thompson, the journey to building KLĒNR began long before he ever poured his first batch of soap. A decorated Green Beret with seven combat deployments, Chris spent years serving in the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Group and later as a contractor supporting Special Operations. His service earned him multiple Bronze Stars and the Congressional Veteran Commendation, but it also came at a cost—years of pushing his body to the limit without prioritizing self-care.

When his military career slowed, Chris realized he was no longer performing at his best. Exposure to chemicals, stress, and a relentless pace had taken their toll. Determined to reclaim his health, he began researching and discovered a sobering truth: cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the Special Operations community, often linked to chemical exposure. It was then he made a choice—he couldn’t undo the past, but he could change what he put on and in his body going forward.

That decision became the spark for KLĒNR, a men’s personal care company dedicated to creating natural, effective products made in the USA with high concentrations of organic ingredients. From soap and deodorant to beard oil and pomade, KLĒNR offers clean alternatives to mainstream products, many of which still use synthetic fragrances.

But KLĒNR is about more than products—it’s about a lifestyle. Chris and his wife envisioned a brand that would encourage people to live boldly, to stop saving their “arrows” for someday, and instead embrace health, adventure, and integrity today.

“I knew I didn’t want to reach the end of my life with unused arrows,” Chris says. “So many people wait too long and realize they barely lived at all. That wasn’t going to be my story, and I don’t want it to be yours.”

KLĒNR’s mission extends into the community as well. The company sponsors local triathlons benefiting kids, supports veteran nonprofits, donates time and resources to youth empowerment programs, and even advocates for better health policy at the state level. Every bar of soap or bottle of beard oil is part of something bigger—a movement toward wellness, strength, and self-respect.

Chris’s advice to residents is simple yet powerful: “Prioritize your health and take ownership of your daily choices. Small, consistent actions compound over time. Lead by example, embrace challenges as opportunities, and invest fully in yourself—you’ll leave a meaningful impact wherever you go.”

Or, as Rumi put it, “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

KLĒNR reminds us all that the first step toward changing the world starts with the choices we make every day—about how we live, what we value, and the legacy we leave behind.

Learn more about KLĒNR at: klenr.com | Instagram: @klenrproducts