She Just Wanted to Sell Coffee—Then She Took Down Kohl’s CEO

Chandra Holt

From Start-Up Stardom to Corporate Controversy

What started as a heartwarming entrepreneurial journey for Chandra Holt quickly turned into a headline-making scandal that rocked the executive suite at Kohl’s. Holt, the dynamic founder of the coffee brand Incredibrew, had just begun to enjoy the spotlight when her name was suddenly splashed across headlines—for all the wrong reasons.

Incredibrew's Meteoric Rise

In January, Holt’s health-conscious coffee brand was gaining serious momentum. By April, Incredibrew had reached a major milestone: 100 days in business and over £560,000 in sales. Coffee lovers and wellness enthusiasts were taking note. But just a week after celebrating her brand's success, everything changed.

Kohl’s Drops a Bombshell

Kohl’s made a stunning announcement: CEO Ashley Buchanan had been fired. The reason? A breach of ethics tied to a personal and financial connection with an unnamed woman—later revealed to be Chandra Holt.

An internal investigation found Buchanan had orchestrated a multi-million-pound consulting deal between Kohl’s and someone he was romantically involved with. The board called the deal "highly unusual" and cited it as part of a wider pattern of undisclosed conflicts. Buchanan was out, and the retail world was left reeling.

Behind the Relationship: Buchanan and Holt’s Shared History

It didn’t take long for curious eyes to uncover a deeper backstory. Holt and Buchanan had known each other for more than a decade, first meeting during their tenure at Walmart. Their personal relationship reportedly spanned multiple career moves, including Buchanan’s leadership at Michaels and later at Kohl’s.

Court documents from Buchanan’s divorce proceedings confirmed their romantic involvement, although Holt insists that by the time she was approached about any business opportunities, there was no ongoing relationship between them.

“I’ve known Ashley Buchanan for 10 years, but I have not received any compensation for my Incredibrew business from Kohl’s,” Holt stated publicly, firmly distancing herself from any wrongdoing.

A Pricey Exit and a Company in Flux

In the wake of the scandal, Buchanan was forced to forfeit stock awards and repay a hefty £1.8 million ($2.5 million) signing bonus. Kohl’s quickly moved to name Michael Bender as interim CEO, trying to steady the ship amid declining sales and store closures.

Bender addressed the transition as necessary for the company’s future, but specifics were scarce. Employees and shareholders were left with more questions than answers.

The Takeaway: Ethics in the Age of Influence

The fallout from Buchanan’s departure is a sharp reminder of how closely personal decisions can impact professional reputations. While Chandra Holt's business remains independent and untainted by direct wrongdoing, the media glare has cast her into the center of an unwanted narrative.

Still, her story is a case study in how quickly triumph can turn to turmoil when personal and professional lines blur. Whether Incredibrew continues to thrive or stalls under scrutiny remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: this was no ordinary coffee launch.