Grills have been interwoven into Black culture for decades. With the trend becoming popularized in late 1970s New York City, it became a widespread phenomenon in areas like Houston, Atlanta and Miami in the 90s and early 2000s. Stars like Nelly, Simone Biles and Beyoncé continue to show off the beauty and ingenuity of Black people, and how what started as a low-cost option for dental work became a fashion statement for us.
For Houston-born Christina “Chriss” Rogers, the founder and creator of EASE, grills were a major part of her own personal self-expression, but there was a problem: traditional grills were not always conducive to dental hygiene. While undergoing a dental process, she asked herself, why can’t retainers and other protective teeth products be both functional and fashionable? Rather than conform to being boring, Chriss opted to create a brand that was not only true to herself and her culture but also good for her teeth, and thus EASE was born.
Today, Chriss has sold over 4,500 grills and maintains her brand ethos that the people with the most to say are often the quietest in the room—the observers who communicate through art, design, and personal style.
GROWN had the opportunity to chat with Chriss and learn more about her journey, her success and how she remains true to herself while meeting the needs of her community.
With EASE, you’ve created a fusion between culture and functionality. What was the moment of inspiration behind the Protective Mouth Grill, and how did you realize it was a product the community wanted?
The inspiration honestly came from my own experience. I was going through a teeth-straightening process, and it just felt very plain. It didn’t reflect me at all. I’ve always been into expression and style, so I started thinking about how I could make that experience feel more like me. At the same time, I grew up around grill culture. I’m from Houston, so that’s always been a part of the environment—it’s cultural, it’s expressive, it’s bold. But, I also understood the downside.
Traditional grills don’t always prioritize dental health. So the idea really came from bridging those two worlds. I was like, why doesn’t something exist that lets you express yourself like a grill, but also protects your teeth? As far as knowing the community wanted it, I tested the idea before I ever released the product. I was sharing the concept while my patent was being processed, and it went viral multiple times before people could even buy it. That told me everything I needed to know. People were curious, excited, asking questions—they were ready for something new. So by the time I actually released it, I already knew there was a real interest there.
You self-funded a majority of the business when you started, and now you’ve sold over 4,500 Protective Mouth Grills. What has the success of EASE taught you about trusting your vision and going all-in on your goals?
Self-funding the entire business will make you get up every single day and push towards the ultimate goal! So from the beginning, trusting my vision wasn’t really optional, it was necessary. I’ve always been very headstrong and ambitious when it comes to what I want to create, so going all in has always felt natural to me. But what really strengthened that mindset was my spiritual connection. It taught me that if I can see something clearly in my mind, I can also be guided through the process of bringing it to life. That gave me a different level of confidence—not just in the idea, but in the journey.
Building EASE has shown me that anything is possible, but it also showed me what “anything is possible” actually feels like in real life. I remember working extremely hard to get the brand to a certain place during the summer of 2025, and when I finally reached that goal, it almost felt… quiet. Not in a bad way, just in a way that made me realize the real reward was who I had to become to get there. That moment taught me that trusting your vision isn’t just about the outcome—it’s about the discipline, the consistency, and the belief you build along the way. So now, I don’t second guess going all in. I’ve seen what happens when you do.
With the addition of tooth gems, you’ve added more to your business. How did you approach the decision to expand your range instead of just focusing on one product?
I can’t even take full credit for that idea. Someone on my team actually suggested that we offer tooth gems, and at first I wasn’t really on board. I’m very focused when it comes to the brand, so I didn’t want to add anything that didn’t feel aligned. But once I sat with it, I realized it made sense. Tooth gems are already popular within the same space, and it gave us another way to meet people where they are. Not everyone is ready to commit to a full grill, but they still want to participate in that same form of expression. It also taught me something important—sometimes the best ideas don’t come from you, they come from being open and actually listening. At the end of the day, I want to offer what people are naturally drawn to while still staying true to the brand. Tooth gems allowed us to expand in a way that felt organic, not forced.
You put self-expression at the forefront of your customer experience. How have you stayed authentic to your vision while building an identity for your brand?
Honestly, I put so much work into the brand that trying to add a separate “personality” on top of it would be exhausting. So the easiest thing for me has just been to be myself. I’ve never really believed in conforming to standards just to please people. I’ve always moved in a way that feels natural to me—and the people who connect with that, connect with it. The ones who don’t, don’t. And I’m okay with that.
That mindset has helped me stay authentic while building EASE. The brand is an extension of me—how I think, how I interact with people, how I care about experience. I want people to feel comfortable, to feel like they can be themselves when they come to us. At the end of the day, self-expression isn’t just about the product, it’s about the environment too. If we’re creating a space that feels genuine, welcoming, and real, then the right people will naturally be drawn to it. And that’s always been the goal.
Social media has played a huge part in reaching the consumer, and your designs have even been seen on TV and film. How do you create visibility among a wide audience while preserving your core brand identity?
I honestly try not to take social media too seriously. Algorithms are real, and they can mute what you’re trying to do at any moment, so I’ve learned not to overthink it. I kind of just post what feels right and stay active. What connects, connects. I don’t think there’s a perfect formula for social media. The more you try to force it or think too hard about how you’re supposed to show up, the more it starts to feel unnatural—and people can feel that. So for me, I focus on showing real interactions, real moments, and the fun side of the product. I let people see how we actually engage with customers, how the experience feels, and what the product looks like in real life. As far as preserving the brand identity, that comes from staying consistent in who we are. If I’m being genuine in what I share, the brand stays intact no matter how wide the audience gets. Visibility is great, but authenticity is what makes it stick.
What is something you think women entrepreneurs should know about the emotional journey of creating something that hasn’t been done before?
This has honestly been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. And what people don’t always talk about is that you’re building something from nothing while still living your life at the same time. You still have relationships, responsibilities, and emotions outside of the business, and some days it can feel like it’s all just a lot. I’ve had moments where I felt overwhelmed, excited, proud, stressed—sometimes all in the same day. And I’ve learned that all of those emotions are part of the process. You’re not supposed to feel one thing the whole time.
One thing I’ve had to teach myself is to take breaks. When I step away and give myself a moment to reset, I always come back stronger and clearer. That balance is important. I also think it’s important for women to know that it’s okay to feel deeply about what you’re building. When you’re passionate, your emotions are naturally going to be tied into it. It can take a toll, but it also means you care. As long as you’re learning from what you go through and applying it as you grow, you’re moving in the right direction. This journey isn’t just about building a product — it’s about building yourself at the same time.
As EASE has grown, you’ve worked with industry professionals. What are your next steps to continue reshaping the jewelry and dental industries as you become a bigger brand in each?
One thing I’ve learned from creating something brand new is that you have to get people to see what you see. The past three years have really been about that — introducing the concept, educating people, and trying to bring different industries onto the same page. Whether it’s jewelry or dental, there are already established ways of doing things, so asking people to shift their perspective takes time.
At first, I went all in on working closely with industry professionals, but I realized it was more challenging than I expected to align everyone right away. So I took a step back and refocused on the customer. At the end of the day, the customer is the deciding factor in everything. If the customer understands the value, asks for it, and starts expecting it, the industries will naturally follow. So my next steps are really centered around continuing to educate, grow the brand, and strengthen that demand. The bigger vision is to see protective layers become standard—where people don’t even consider getting a grill without that level of care for their teeth. It should just be a part of the process. For me, it’s about reshaping the industry in a way that makes sense for both expression and health. And I believe that starts from the ground up, with the people.
