The Next Big Breakthrough?

I've seen Stirling on Twitter.  I know PAA CaD314  was trying to get their crown king line into whole foods, but I guess nothing ever worked out for whatever reason.  I would think volume would be the issue, but I have no idea.

It's not that Whole Foods didn't work out it's really just very involved, it's about their crowd and their distributors. They also tend to beat folks up on the margins...feeding the giant is what we would need to do. We are still planning on getting into some chains and in talks, we just have some bigger fish to fry at this moment. At any given time I have about 8 things on the burner, lol. If I had only one thing to focus on it would be done by now. Groovy thread!

I would not get locked into some Faustian deal with evil such as Walmart, Costco, etc. Read the stories about how Walmart destroyed Tupperware & Vlasic pickles. If your supply costs go up you are still locked into a threadbare profit margin contract and will have to "eat" it. No way, no how. Sometimes it's better to just poke along at your own pace and enjoy what you're doing. As well, look at all the soap makers who've disappeared in the past few years. I admire the entrepreneurial spirit, but the market is glutted with artisans and the target audience is as fickle as a Hollywood wife. Steady the course.

I've seen Stirling on Twitter.  I know PAA CaD314  was trying to get their crown king line into whole foods, but I guess nothing ever worked out for whatever reason.  I would think volume would be the issue, but I have no idea.

It's not that Whole Foods didn't work out it's really just very involved, it's about their crowd and their distributors. They also tend to beat folks up on the margins...feeding the giant is what we would need to do. We are still planning on getting into some chains and in talks, we just have some bigger fish to fry at this moment. At any given time I have about 8 things on the burner, lol. If I had only one thing to focus on it would be done by now. Groovy thread!

Good luck to you sir. I'm actually almost out of CaD pit stick and need to put in another order (See OTHER products besides soap helps).

Rod (ezlovan), it is a shame that you lost so much in advertising.  The sad thing is, when one knows a company like yours produces excellent products and brings them to market at a price point that is open to just about anyone it is sad that the word cannot be spread in a more reasonable way.  

Ironically, slick advertising is more of a turn off to me than a curiosity builder.  I see those slick ads more as snake oil than something genuinely useful.  I always talk up Stirling, Chatillon Lux (hawns), Barrister and Mann (Barrister_N_Mann), and Desmond's Barrow (Scritchnscrub) because of their quality and not through some snazzy advertising campaign.  I have even purchased your products for others and isn't that some of the best advertising (and is completely free )?  I realize that some form of advertising is important and even our merchants' participation here at DFS is, in a way, a form of advertising.  However, that participation makes it "close to home" in that you take the time to care about your customers and you're up front.  Because of that, I have expanded into your other products and have rarely, if ever, been disappointed.  (So, any new scents for your fantastic shampoo bars in the works? )  I hope that the best of our merchants can find a way to get to a wider audience because quality like yours is unmatched.

So what you're telling me is that I need to up my ad game? Noted

Rod (ezlovan), it is a shame that you lost so much in advertising.  The sad thing is, when one knows a company like yours produces excellent products and brings them to market at a price point that is open to just about anyone it is sad that the word cannot be spread in a more reasonable way.  

Ironically, slick advertising is more of a turn off to me than a curiosity builder.  I see those slick ads more as snake oil than something genuinely useful.  I always talk up Stirling, Chatillon Lux (hawns), Barrister and Mann (Barrister_N_Mann), and Desmond's Barrow (Scritchnscrub) because of their quality and not through some snazzy advertising campaign.  I have even purchased your products for others and isn't that some of the best advertising (and is completely free )?  I realize that some form of advertising is important and even our merchants' participation here at DFS is, in a way, a form of advertising.  However, that participation makes it "close to home" in that you take the time to care about your customers and you're up front.  Because of that, I have expanded into your other products and have rarely, if ever, been disappointed.  (So, any new scents for your fantastic shampoo bars in the works? )  I hope that the best of our merchants can find a way to get to a wider audience because quality like yours is unmatched.

So what you're telling me is that I need to up my ad game? Noted

Your game rocks. I think every artisan, vendor or what have you in the wet shaving space needs to ask themselves what their goals really are and what is actually doable. Do you want to be the next fortune 500 company of wet shaving? Do you like a nice side gig? Or something in between. I listened to a great podcast from Art of Charm recently where they did a reverse interview of the AoC founder and I found it very interesting. One of the points he made is that many people running side hustles (as they call them) prematurely quit their day job (the money maker) for all the wrong reasons. Its an older episode but still made a lot of sense in the context of wet shaving artisans and whether or not they can ever make this their primary and sole occupation.

https://theartofcharm.com/podcast-episod...isode-572/

Rod (ezlovan), it is a shame that you lost so much in advertising.  The sad thing is, when one knows a company like yours produces excellent products and brings them to market at a price point that is open to just about anyone it is sad that the word cannot be spread in a more reasonable way.  

Ironically, slick advertising is more of a turn off to me than a curiosity builder.  I see those slick ads more as snake oil than something genuinely useful.  I always talk up Stirling, Chatillon Lux (hawns), Barrister and Mann (Barrister_N_Mann), and Desmond's Barrow (Scritchnscrub) because of their quality and not through some snazzy advertising campaign.  I have even purchased your products for others and isn't that some of the best advertising (and is completely free )?  I realize that some form of advertising is important and even our merchants' participation here at DFS is, in a way, a form of advertising.  However, that participation makes it "close to home" in that you take the time to care about your customers and you're up front.  Because of that, I have expanded into your other products and have rarely, if ever, been disappointed.  (So, any new scents for your fantastic shampoo bars in the works? )  I hope that the best of our merchants can find a way to get to a wider audience because quality like yours is unmatched.

So what you're telling me is that I need to up my ad game? Noted

Your game rocks. I think every artisan, vendor or what have you in the wet shaving space needs to ask themselves what their goals really are and what is actually doable. Do you want to be the next fortune 500 company of wet shaving? Do you like a nice side gig? Or something in between. I listened to a great podcast from Art of Charm recently where they did a reverse interview of the AoC founder and I found it very interesting. One of the points he made is that many people running side hustles (as they call them) prematurely quit their day job (the money maker) for all the wrong reasons. Its an older episode but still made a lot of sense in the context of wet shaving artisans and whether or not they can ever make this their primary and sole occupation.

https://theartofcharm.com/podcast-episod...isode-572/

That podcast sounds awesome. I'll check it out while I'm working in the scent cave tonight. I'm currently working on a plan to go full-time with Chatillon Lux, but the good thing is that I can still do freelance work in the ad world in order to not have to be too dependent on sales and continue to be able to invest in growth and new products.

Also, I was mainly being facetious about my ad game, but it does raise a good point. The old methods of advertising are not really effective in the information age. People seek out information, so successful brands are often authentic and genuine, showing how they can fit the customer's lifestyle, not change it. It's challenging, but challenges are fun.

Rod (ezlovan), it is a shame that you lost so much in advertising.  The sad thing is, when one knows a company like yours produces excellent products and brings them to market at a price point that is open to just about anyone it is sad that the word cannot be spread in a more reasonable way.  

Ironically, slick advertising is more of a turn off to me than a curiosity builder.  I see those slick ads more as snake oil than something genuinely useful.  I always talk up Stirling, Chatillon Lux (hawns), Barrister and Mann (Barrister_N_Mann), and Desmond's Barrow (Scritchnscrub) because of their quality and not through some snazzy advertising campaign.  I have even purchased your products for others and isn't that some of the best advertising (and is completely free )?  I realize that some form of advertising is important and even our merchants' participation here at DFS is, in a way, a form of advertising.  However, that participation makes it "close to home" in that you take the time to care about your customers and you're up front.  Because of that, I have expanded into your other products and have rarely, if ever, been disappointed.  (So, any new scents for your fantastic shampoo bars in the works? )  I hope that the best of our merchants can find a way to get to a wider audience because quality like yours is unmatched.

It was a learning experience, but then I guess everything in life is or should be.


We'll likely try some form of paid advertising in the future to market to those who have no clue that wetshaving or Stirling Soap even exists. In the meantime, we'll rely on social media, forums, and good people like yourself who don't mind bringing up wetshaving in conversation. And I do mean just that. People that talk about wetshaving are good for wetshaving and good for me, even if they aren't talking about Stirling at all. If you get someone started down the rabbit hole of wetshaving, it's good for all vendors. Eventually some  or many of them will find Stirling, or B&M, or Chatty Lux, etc... Very few wetshavers pick up one soap, one razor, and one brush and never try another brand.

Word of mouth from happy wetshavers is without question the best ally any of us have. Well, that and a black hole swallowing Gillette and Schick and spitting them out on the other side of the universe.

So what you're telling me is that I need to up my ad game? Noted

Your game rocks.  I think every artisan, vendor or what have you in the wet shaving space needs to ask themselves what their goals really are and what is actually doable.  Do you want to be the next fortune 500 company of wet shaving?  Do you like a nice side gig?  Or something in between.  I listened to a great podcast from Art of Charm recently where they did a reverse interview of the AoC founder and I found it very interesting.  One of the points he made is that many people running side hustles (as they call them) prematurely quit their day job (the money maker) for all the wrong reasons.  Its an older episode but still made a lot of sense in the context of wet shaving artisans and whether or not they can ever make this their primary and sole occupation.

https://theartofcharm.com/podcast-episod...isode-572/

That podcast sounds awesome. I'll check it out while I'm working in the scent cave tonight. I'm currently working on a plan to go full-time with Chatillon Lux, but the good thing is that I can still do freelance work in the ad world in order to not have to be too dependent on sales and continue to be able to invest in growth and new products.

Also, I was mainly being facetious about my ad game, but it does raise a good point. The old methods of advertising are not really effective in the information age. People seek out information, so successful brands are often authentic and genuine, showing how they can fit the customer's lifestyle, not change it. It's challenging, but challenges are fun.

Shawn, a huge part of what makes products like yours (Chatillon Lux), Rod’s and Mandy’s Stirling Soap Co., and Peter’s Desmond’s Barrow so good for me is the personal contact, either through actually meeting and talking with you in person or through PM’s and e-mails, or just your posting here on DFS.  (I would include others in that last category, as well, such as GroomingDept and Barrister_N_Mann, among others.). Not only are your products superb but understanding the underlying “why” a product is what it is adds to its allure for me.  I wish there was a way for you folks to do that on a larger scale.

Your game rocks.  I think every artisan, vendor or what have you in the wet shaving space needs to ask themselves what their goals really are and what is actually doable.  Do you want to be the next fortune 500 company of wet shaving?  Do you like a nice side gig?  Or something in between.  I listened to a great podcast from Art of Charm recently where they did a reverse interview of the AoC founder and I found it very interesting.  One of the points he made is that many people running side hustles (as they call them) prematurely quit their day job (the money maker) for all the wrong reasons.  Its an older episode but still made a lot of sense in the context of wet shaving artisans and whether or not they can ever make this their primary and sole occupation.

https://theartofcharm.com/podcast-episod...isode-572/

That podcast sounds awesome. I'll check it out while I'm working in the scent cave tonight. I'm currently working on a plan to go full-time with Chatillon Lux, but the good thing is that I can still do freelance work in the ad world in order to not have to be too dependent on sales and continue to be able to invest in growth and new products.

Also, I was mainly being facetious about my ad game, but it does raise a good point. The old methods of advertising are not really effective in the information age. People seek out information, so successful brands are often authentic and genuine, showing how they can fit the customer's lifestyle, not change it. It's challenging, but challenges are fun.

Shawn, a huge part of what makes products like yours (Chatillon Lux), Rod’s and Mandy’s Stirling Soap Co., and Peter’s Desmond’s Barrow so good for me is the personal contact, either through actually meeting and talking with you in person or through PM’s and e-mails, or just your posting here on DFS.  (I would include others in that last category, as well, such as GroomingDept and Barrister_N_Mann, among others.). Not only are your products superb but understanding the underlying “why” a product is what it is adds to its allure for me.  I wish there was a way for you folks to do that on a larger scale.

It is definitely hard to replicate it on a large scale, but that doesn't mean there aren't ways to continue working that spirit. I love following Andy Tauer on social media just for his weird, wacky posts that are not only interesting glimpses behind the scenes, but also shows his personality and reminds you that he is the brand and the scents are personal, artistic creations instead of something that has to be run through numerous focus groups and watered down to the point of being supremely generic.

But still, you always do wish you had more time to spend talking to people directly no matter what size of business you are. Well, that is, if you're doing it right, I guess.

Shawn, a huge part of what makes products like yours (Chatillon Lux), Rod’s and Mandy’s Stirling Soap Co., and Peter’s Desmond’s Barrow so good for me is the personal contact, either through actually meeting and talking with you in person or through PM’s and e-mails, or just your posting here on DFS.  (I would include others in that last category, as well, such as GroomingDept and Barrister_N_Mann, among others.). Not only are your products superb but understanding the underlying “why” a product is what it is adds to its allure for me.  I wish there was a way for you folks to do that on a larger scale.

Freddy speaks to a developing trend in retail. Increasingly, what separates value good from a premium good is the customer experience. Yes, the product itself has to be good - but that is a pre-requisite and is no longer sufficient. Great customer service is a big part of that canvas, but the feeling of "community" or "exclusivity" can drive that experience too - the story of every piece of "unobtainium".

Your game rocks.  I think every artisan, vendor or what have you in the wet shaving space needs to ask themselves what their goals really are and what is actually doable.  Do you want to be the next fortune 500 company of wet shaving?  Do you like a nice side gig?  Or something in between.  I listened to a great podcast from Art of Charm recently where they did a reverse interview of the AoC founder and I found it very interesting.  One of the points he made is that many people running side hustles (as they call them) prematurely quit their day job (the money maker) for all the wrong reasons.  Its an older episode but still made a lot of sense in the context of wet shaving artisans and whether or not they can ever make this their primary and sole occupation.

https://theartofcharm.com/podcast-episod...isode-572/

Totally agree with Marko, It is incredibly important to create a clear proposition / goal.

Perhaps another angle to think about. Recent data suggest that companies have geared themselves towards targeting the "middle" market (JC Penney, Sears) are broadly doing less well, than those playing solidly in the value or premium segments. I recently had a lecture (currently in business school) which talked about changing consumer behavior, and was shocked at how accurately it portrayed my own personal buying habits.

While I do have some purchasing power, I prefer discount / "private label" items on most things. However, on the occasion, I will splurge on a luxury good. So, I could be eating instant ramen noodles for seven days a week, but the next moment I will buy a Paradigm 17-4.

Along with the proposition of being in the value or premium segments comes a whole lot of operational and financial optimization decisions that are likely beyond the scope of this thread. But what do I know... I am just a student...