Sapone Di Paolo AMA, June 19th, 2016

@"Sapone Di Paolo",

aside from shaving, what do you like to do in your spare time or as a hobby?  I know you said you were a drummer - are you in a band?  do you make any videos of yourself drumming?

is making shaving products your full-time gig?

I have been a musician since I was 9.  I've been in many bands and it's been my on and off job for much of my adulthood.  I play more of the "holy crap, our drummer is sick and we start in 30 minutes" emergency guy as of late.  I've scaled it way back in recent years.  My tastes are typically more electronic focused and I have always been much happier on the production/recording side of things.

I am also a ravenous fan of BMX racing.  I can't wait for the Olympics!

Sapone Di Paolo is not full time yet.  I've always had other work due to the pay inconsistencies of the arts.  Soap has been very rewarding thus far, I'd love for it to be my only job.

ah...BMXing. growing up I had a nice mongoose bike before they were sold in walmart and could only be found in the specialty bike shops. quite a nice bike that I tricked out a bit - it had pegs on the front & rear, chromies on both wheels and an aftermarket gooseneck! fun times!!!

Thank you for taking the time to give some background about yourself and your business.  What type of razor do you use most? (DE, SE,  or straight )

Thank you Jeff!  I am a DE guy.  I like them mild.  To me, BBS should be the entire process, not just the end result.  My den consists of a 34c,  a Standard, and an aluminum Wolfman SB which is my favorite.   I do still have my fathers '75 Gillette black beauty that I learned to shave with, but I don't use it.

I love this quote and I must say that I agree. You eloquently and succinctly put into words what I've been feeling as of late.

Do you find it difficult to produce a quality soap while also making it enjoyable for a multitude?

In the ever growing market of artisan soaps what would you like us to know about your soap that you think differentiates it the herd?

There is a fine line between thinking of myself only and for a business.  I like to adhere to "if I don't like it, I'm not going to make it" principle.  There will be no products made by me that I won't use.  

I would love to be known as the simple guy.  I'm not a cologne wearer and never have been.  A great part of why I started making soap in the first place was I wasn't liking a lot of the scents.  I don't feel most average guys know about scents (without trying to insult those who do).  I'd like to be the guy that can provide top quality soap for those who don't want to spend too much thought on figuring out what Oud is.   I'm far more interested in you thinking your skin FEELS great.

I have absolutely no problem being Levi's to Will's custom tailored suit!       I do prefer simple. ...with the utmost respect and admiration to Will of course.

Paolo, with the best "Will" in the world (pun intended), have you priced a pair of Levi's 501's lately? [Image: laugh2.gif]

Ha! So very true! Formalwear denim perhaps?

@"Sapone Di Paolo",

aside from shaving, what do you like to do in your spare time or as a hobby?  I know you said you were a drummer - are you in a band?  do you make any videos of yourself drumming?

is making shaving products your full-time gig?

I have been a musician since I was 9.  I've been in many bands and it's been my on and off job for much of my adulthood.  I play more of the "holy crap, our drummer is sick and we start in 30 minutes" emergency guy as of late.  I've scaled it way back in recent years.  My tastes are typically more electronic focused and I have always been much happier on the production/recording side of things.

I am also a ravenous fan of BMX racing.  I can't wait for the Olympics!

Sapone Di Paolo is not full time yet.  I've always had other work due to the pay inconsistencies of the arts.  Soap has been very rewarding thus far, I'd love for it to be my only job.

ah...BMXing.  growing up I had a nice mongoose bike before they were sold in walmart and could only be found in the specialty bike shops.  quite a nice bike that I tricked out a bit - it had pegs on the front & rear, chromies on both wheels and an aftermarket gooseneck!  fun times!!!

I have 4 Mongoose bikes!  My vintage collection is up to about 15 in total!  Check out most of my rides here!

I have been a musician since I was 9.  I've been in many bands and it's been my on and off job for much of my adulthood.  I play more of the "holy crap, our drummer is sick and we start in 30 minutes" emergency guy as of late.  I've scaled it way back in recent years.  My tastes are typically more electronic focused and I have always been much happier on the production/recording side of things.

I am also a ravenous fan of BMX racing.  I can't wait for the Olympics!

Sapone Di Paolo is not full time yet.  I've always had other work due to the pay inconsistencies of the arts.  Soap has been very rewarding thus far, I'd love for it to be my only job.

ah...BMXing.  growing up I had a nice mongoose bike before they were sold in walmart and could only be found in the specialty bike shops.  quite a nice bike that I tricked out a bit - it had pegs on the front & rear, chromies on both wheels and an aftermarket gooseneck!  fun times!!!

I have 4 Mongoose bikes!  My vintage collection is up to about 15 in total!  Check out most of my rides here!

very nice, I know redline bikes were incredibly popular and high quality as well.

I was born in 1986 so I'm guessing my mongoose was probably a model from the early to mid 90s and it was all black, IIRC.

ah...BMXing.  growing up I had a nice mongoose bike before they were sold in walmart and could only be found in the specialty bike shops.  quite a nice bike that I tricked out a bit - it had pegs on the front & rear, chromies on both wheels and an aftermarket gooseneck!  fun times!!!

I have 4 Mongoose bikes!  My vintage collection is up to about 15 in total!  Check out most of my rides here!

very nice, I know redline bikes were incredibly popular and high quality as well.

I was born in 1986 so I'm guessing my mongoose was probably a model from the early to mid 90s and it was all black, IIRC.

I was lucky enough to discover BMX in the 70's (i was born in '69) through it's "golden era" peak int he mid 80's. The 90's Geese were still quite nice. That was just before most of the great brands were sold to a huge Asian company and showed up in walmart.

I have 4 Mongoose bikes!  My vintage collection is up to about 15 in total!  Check out most of my rides here!

very nice, I know redline bikes were incredibly popular and high quality as well.  

I was born in 1986 so I'm guessing my mongoose was probably a model from the early to mid 90s and it was all black, IIRC.

I was lucky enough to discover BMX in the 70's (i was born in '69) through it's "golden era" peak int he mid 80's.  The 90's Geese were still quite nice.  That was just before most of the great brands were sold to a huge Asian company and showed up in walmart.

I'll have to see if I can find any photos of my old bike...

I just purchased your lime/ basil soap that my daughter will make as my Father's Day gift. I'm looking forward to trying it. My question is what are the obstacles to producing alcohol splashes. There are so many artisans who only offer balms. Is it supply or regulations?

I just purchased your lime/ basil soap that my daughter will make as my Father's Day gift. I'm looking forward to trying it. My question is what are the obstacles to producing alcohol splashes. There are so many artisans who only offer balms. Is it supply or regulations?

Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!  

I'm sure its more regulatory than anything.  Shipping alcohol seems to be the biggest hurdle.  I personally don't care for alcohol in products.  I don't like to "fee the burn" and I had such a hard time with my dry hands that I'm not going to risk anything that is drying.   With that said, I'm not opposed to doing a witch hazel based splash, but it's not something for the immediate future.

There are loads of artisan splashes with prominent alcohol:  Captain's Choice, Chatillon Lux, Fine Accoutrements, Country Club, B&M, Krampert's, Chiseled Face, Mickey Lee, Henri et Victoria, Dr. Jon's, Wholly Kaw, Beaver Woodwright, Reef Point, PAA...  off the top of my head anyway.

@"Sapone Di Paolo", are you making it out to the NE shaving meetup in September this year?