As we surpass one year in the COVID-19 world, it’s easy to flash back to the memories of the early days of the pandemic. The uncertainty of what was to come led to the scramble to get your home stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Many things have changed during this time and have evolved over the last year. As the pandemic raged on, the supply for cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer grew scarce. In an effort to alleviate the strain on local businesses and their community, Yellow Turtle Hand Sanitizer launched with the hope of providing quality, affordable bulk hand sanitizer.

Originally from Chicago, Kimberly Hartzel worked in Marketing and Advertising for several years at BBDO as she built her career. Mainly focusing on traditional forms of advertising she had the opportunity to work with Dodge Ram Truck and the Wrigley Company. She organized marketing campaigns and events all over the city of Chicago.

Upon moving to Indianapolis twelve years ago, Kimberly raised her four children and would return to work with the United States Tennis Association (USTA). As a nonprofit, their marketing budget was small so there traditional advertising efforts were limited.

At this point, content marketing was taking off and Kimberly took advantage of the early digital marketing space and the use of social media as a marketing tool. Her role with USTA allowed her to work with many different people, helping them stay active and healthy while also growing her career in marketing.

By the time the pandemic hit, Kimberly was ready to move on from the USTA and was looking for her next role. The sudden need for high quality and affordable hand sanitizer made in the US gave Kimberly the opportunity to launch Yellow Turtle.

A main driving force behind her ambition to start her own company was to set an example of strength and resilience for her daughter, to get her involved with small business and show her what can be done in the business world.

Yellow Turtle started as a family venture, with Kimberly’s daughter helping her name the company, design the logo, and support her throughout its development. Launching the business involved understanding and meeting all FDA regulations surrounding hand sanitizer. At the time, many people were selling harmful hand sanitizer, not approved by the FDA. Part of the mission statement for Yellow Turtle is to focus on giving its clients the chance to do the best they can. That means providing them with the highest quality, FDA approved hand sanitizer at the best price they can.

Yellow Turtle supported many small and medium sized businesses immediately during the early stages of the pandemic. With the limitations on shipping and high demand for hand sanitizer, the ability for Yellow Turtle to support these businesses with US-produced hand sanitizer allowed them to safely operate day to day. Now, Yellow Turtle continues to work with several of these businesses providing bulk supplies of hand sanitizer.

Part of the mission for Yellow Turtle is to continue to support single moms. As a way to do this, Kimberly and Yellow Turtle partner with Coburn Place, whose mission is to empower people impacted by interpersonal abuse. They provide resources, housing, support, and much more to their survivors.

Kimberly is optimistic for the future of Yellow Turtle, as they continue to work with their clients to supply them with affordable hand sanitizer. Looking to the future she hopes to expand her offering to include more cleaning supplies and to continue to give the clients of Yellow Turtle the chance to do the best they can.

Getting to know Kimberly on a more personal level…

• Kimbely remarried a year and a half ago. Her and her husband love to play pickleball whenever they get the chance.
• Kimberly has a daughter who lives in France. She was able to see her in January in the French island of St. Barts.
• Kimberly lives just a bike ride away from downtown Zionsville in the new Vonterra neighborhood.