Sir Henry's-BTRC Wants to Know

As we celebrate our 6th year here in June we would like to continue growing (in sales & knowledge). 
What can we do better? 
What do we do well?
What products do we not offer that you'd like to see.
Other topics you would think helpful.

We just ask two things:
1. Please be constructive in responses.
2. Try to think in the context of grooming products for a wide swath of people, not just as a hobbyist.

Thanks,
Brad, Dom, & Joe

Personally, I hedge towards sweeter, more gourmand scents (eg. Stirling Barbershop, Stirling Pearberry, Dr Jon's Savannah Sunrise for example). I'd love to see something in that realm from you folks.

Your soaps work very well, a good solid entry. They also sit in a very advantageous price bracket. We are seeing the median cost going higher and higher (not inflation, just more folks making expensive soaps). I really like that you have cost in mind. You stand among a shrinking number with longtime favorites like Stirling.

I also like that you have refill pucks. One idea that came to mind when I saw the new black tie run is how Mystic Waters handles it. I BELIEVE they make everything in a refill and if you buy the tub, a permanent label is affixed and the refill is dropped in the tub (still wrapped as a refill). It probably makes life easier for them to not have anything 'set in stone' until it's bought. The downside of course, is you have to press it in still... It's not a clean, fancy pour.

Glad to see you guys are still around and going strong. A testament to the industry and your great contributions.

(Pressing your soap into a tub will definitely turn off the average Joe)

I am a recent "convert" to your soap, having been introduced by mrdoug last fall. I need unscented soap due to sensitivities both at home and in my workplace. Black Tie #13 works very well for me. Sorry that I can't offer scent notes and the like, but as Paul said, refill pucks instead of tubs is great. We all probably have all manner of empty tubs around, and many of the usual shave stores have empty containers for sale. Thanks for making a great product and for asking for input! Shows us you value your customers!

Personally, I hedge towards sweeter, more gourmand scents (eg. Stirling Barbershop, Stirling Pearberry, Dr Jon's Savannah Sunrise for example). I'd love to see something in that realm from you folks. I don't know any of those scents. Have you tried LVS or our Sir Henry's Sandalwood? Some might say those venture in that direction.

Your soaps work very well, a good solid entry. They also sit in a very advantageous price bracket. We are seeing the median cost going higher and higher (not inflation, just more folks making expensive soaps). I really like that you have cost in mind. You stand among a shrinking number with longtime favorites like Stirling. Thanks.

I also like that you have refill pucks. One idea that came to mind when I saw the new black tie run is how Mystic Waters handles it. I BELIEVE they make everything in a refill and if you buy the tub, a permanent label is affixed and the refill is dropped in the tub (still wrapped as a refill). It probably makes life easier for them to not have anything 'set in stone' until it's bought. The downside of course, is you have to press it in still... It's not a clean, fancy pour. We are exploring different things. We'd like to reduce plastic as much as possible. However, glass isn't a safe bathroom option either.

Glad to see you guys are still around and going strong. A testament to the industry and your great contributions. Thanks, we'd love to keep growing. We're the tortoise in this thing vs. a lot of rabbits we've seen come and go. If you're always putting out something new, you become a ball player with a batting average.

(Pressing your soap into a tub will definitely turn off the average Joe) Yep. We're very attuned to the "average Joe." We have one already.

Thanks for the response.

I am a recent "convert" to your soap, having been introduced by mrdoug last fall. I need unscented soap due to sensitivities both at home and in my workplace. Black Tie #13 works very well for me. Sorry that I can't offer scent notes and the like, but as Paul said, refill pucks instead of tubs is great. We all probably have all manner of empty tubs around, and many of the usual shave stores have empty containers for sale. Thanks for making a great product and for asking for input! Shows us you value your customers!

We love converts. It would be interesting for you to try one of our scented soaps, particularly our SH Sandalwood because we are very cognizant of safety levels of scent in our soaps. We can count on one hand the number of "reactions" we've had reported in 6 years. Even Bouki mentioned a little something with El Jefe a couple of years ago and we looked at it, tweaked it, and problem solved.
Remember, you can buy any of our products and if they don't work, you're not stuck. We only accept money from happy customers.

Ah heck man.  Just keep making Black Velvet, Sir Henrys Sandalwood, Quartet, Island Estate, ah, well, just keep making them.

I would like a date of production sticker to put on the container.  Might be helpful as some sell 2nd hand ancient dried out shave soap.  If some one gifts or sells me soap I would like to know it’s age.
I like the less plastic with the refills.  Which also allows for use of a higher quality soap container than standard plastic.  I like the MDC lower clear plastic that is thicker and stronger than standard white plastic.   Perhaps make top and side sticker available at a reasonable price.
I am not crazy about the current top labels.  I don’t like the layout.  I know it is made in US; I know it is shave soap; I don’t think the amount 4 oz need be on the top label.  The fonts don’t match and I like art.   There are no shave supply stores so I know it is SH when it arrives.  One provider allowed a student do design one of the labels - I liked that.  A cool sticker could end up on a water bottle to make it distinctive.
I like the scent guarantee and irritation/allergy guarantee or refund.
I appreciate that there are not crazy holiday scents.
A balm with sun block I feel is missing in the artisan market with a great scent.
I feel the price and value are well done and competitive.

I would like a date of production sticker to put on the container.  Might be helpful as some sell 2nd hand ancient dried out shave soap.  If some one gifts or sells me soap I would like to know it’s age.
We currently have a PAO (period after opening) graphic on our products. We are also investigating a Lot system for European distribution. Our soaps last a very long time on the shelf.

I like the less plastic with the refills.  Which also allows for use of a higher quality soap container than standard plastic.  I like the MDC lower clear plastic that is thicker and stronger than standard white plastic.   Perhaps make top and side sticker available at a reasonable price. The separate sticker thing is really a hobbyist request. I'm not sure enough people want this to warrant. We sell most on Amazon to regular users that would dump the puck in a bowl and throw away/recycle the box.

I am not crazy about the current top labels.  I don’t like the layout.  I know it is made in US; I know it is shave soap; I don’t think the amount 4 oz need be on the top label.  The fonts don’t match and I like art.   There are no shave supply stores so I know it is SH when it arrives.  You have to keep in mind that our soaps are displayed in physical retail stores too. Some of our sellers stack the jars with the side label visible and some display with the top label visible. The particulars of what the product is and how much of it is in the package are important to be clear to the potential buyer. We're proud that we make it in the USA, so we proclaim it clearly on the top.

One provider allowed a student do design one of the labels - I liked that.  Other than the Sir Henry's Sandalwood soap, we prefer a consistent brand look.
A cool sticker could end up on a water bottle to make it distinctive. Swag might be a good idea!

I like the scent guarantee and irritation/allergy guarantee or refund. We believe this sets us apart from most.
I appreciate that there are not crazy holiday scents. Sir Henry likes stability. He likes to keep us focused.

A balm with sun block I feel is missing in the artisan market with a great scent. Good idea. We will look at this.

I feel the price and value are well done and competitive. Thank you. We hope that these aspects are even further enhanced with the re-launched Black Tie Razor Company too!

Thanks for taking the time to repsond.

Personally, I hedge towards sweeter, more gourmand scents (eg. Stirling Barbershop, Stirling Pearberry, Dr Jon's Savannah Sunrise for example). I'd love to see something in that realm from you folks.

Your soaps work very well, a good solid entry. They also sit in a very advantageous price bracket. We are seeing the median cost going higher and higher (not inflation, just more folks making expensive soaps). I really like that you have cost in mind. You stand among a shrinking number with longtime favorites like Stirling.

I also like that you have refill pucks. One idea that came to mind when I saw the new black tie run is how Mystic Waters handles it. I BELIEVE they make everything in a refill and if you buy the tub, a permanent label is affixed and the refill is dropped in the tub (still wrapped as a refill). It probably makes life easier for them to not have anything 'set in stone' until it's bought. The downside of course, is you have to press it in still... It's not a clean, fancy pour.

Glad to see you guys are still around and going strong. A testament to the industry and your great contributions.

(Pressing your soap into a tub will definitely turn off the average Joe)

Holy smokes! I totally neglected Black & Tan when you mention gourmand.
It's Tonka for crying out loud.

Sent from my SM-A716U1 using Tapatalk

Personally, I hedge towards sweeter, more gourmand scents (eg. Stirling Barbershop, Stirling Pearberry, Dr Jon's Savannah Sunrise for example). I'd love to see something in that realm from you folks.

Your soaps work very well, a good solid entry. They also sit in a very advantageous price bracket. We are seeing the median cost going higher and higher (not inflation, just more folks making expensive soaps). I really like that you have cost in mind. You stand among a shrinking number with longtime favorites like Stirling.

I also like that you have refill pucks. One idea that came to mind when I saw the new black tie run is how Mystic Waters handles it. I BELIEVE they make everything in a refill and if you buy the tub, a permanent label is affixed and the refill is dropped in the tub (still wrapped as a refill). It probably makes life easier for them to not have anything 'set in stone' until it's bought. The downside of course, is you have to press it in still... It's not a clean, fancy pour.

Glad to see you guys are still around and going strong. A testament to the industry and your great contributions.

(Pressing your soap into a tub will definitely turn off the average Joe)

Holy smokes! I totally neglected Black & Tan when you mention gourmand.
It's Tonka for crying out loud.

Sent from my SM-A716U1 using Tapatalk

Yep, I liked that one.

If I could change anything, it would be to make it sweeter. I'm fond of gourmand scents, fwiw.