Wet Shaving as a Commercial Venture?

[wdwrx]

Hi Gents, I'm looking for advice.
I've been searching for an auxiliary income stream for a while, and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this hobby/obbsession/aquisition disorder we all seem to share as a side-line income? I'm not talking about getting rich developing a nation wide empire (but a buck or two would sure be nice,) but more along the lines of working the Farmer's Market circuit with wet-shaving supplies. I live in an area with a dearth of shaving supplies (semi-rural Alberta) but I'm worried that I may be a little biased. Another suggestion made to me was to lease space from an existing B&M men's store or men's hair-cutters. Any thoughts? The things I'd like to offer would simply be a small variety of soaps and creams, brushes etc (but in the economy range) DE blades and maybe showcase a few vintage razors. And literature on the whole WS'ing thing! (With special mention to B&B)

There also seems to be a huge demand for restored razors. I'm a journeyman carpenter, and I know that re-furbishing these old beauties is well within my skill set, and within the capabilities of my workshop, so would be simply just a redirection of energies (and yet one more excuse to buy another tool or two, as if I needed any...) All I'm waiting for is a break in the weather (the organizational level of my UN-heated shop tends to deteriorate over the winter!) This hobby isn't one I'm too worried about making money on, though it would be nice to make enough to off-set the costs of exotic scale material. (I am definitely NOT trying to sound like an arrogant noob; I've worked with wood all my life and am humbled by the work that I've seen done both here and at SRP. I have no intention of promptly declaring myself a honemeister or master restorer) I do look forward to the challenge though
To make a long story short....
Has anyone else ever done the Farmer's Market/Flea Market route? Is there any real market for it? Would there be any money in it? I have no entrepreneurial experience, and once when I tried to sell stuff for a living I starved, so a venture like that would be completely new territory for me; any advice would sure be appreciated.
Kindest Regards
Chris

 

[Timmy Dee]

I would think the internet would be a great place to start out a business in conjunction with farmer's markets before you lease space.

As a carpenter, maybe you could also do brush and shave bowl sets? I often look longingly at Don McIvor's wares and am amazed at the level of craftsmanship in creating some truly beautiful works.

An opulent shave set would make an incredible gift, one that I would probably buy for myself when my birthday rolls around.

The very best of luck to you, I think there's certainly a world market for it (if only you were here in Australia....) and keep me posted on your progress. I look forward to seeing pictures of your work.

 

[airplanedoc]

I have a business selling once fired brass for reloading. It is a natural extension of one of my other hobbies, so I already had some equipment and space dedicated to the endevor. If or when I fold it up, all the equipment I have I can use in my hobby, I just have bigger, and nicer equipment than I normally would have purchased. I think the primairy thing is keep your costs at a minimum before you expand out and potentially loose a ton of money.

90% of my sales are over the net. It allows me to reach a wide audience, with minimum expense. I have considered going to shows, but by the time you pay for space, and transportation, My sales might break even for the weekend, and I have done a lot of work. I have considered trying to figure out how to do a group buy of a few different product in my area, essentially to get mine for free or minimal return on my investment.

I think you might have a hard time converting a large enough number of people in your local area to wetshaving to make it a money making proposition. The other thing you have to consider when working for your self is how little are you willing to make per hour. My business is not labor intensive, it is time intensive. I ship a $50-$100 package and I have about 1 hour of my time invested in that box. I can eat dinner or go to a ball game while brass is polished. I would guess that if you could get a honest answer, many of the vendors here work for less than minimum wage.

Not trying to talk you out of doing this, just pointing out some of the realities of your own business

 

[dpm802]

I think your best bet would be as an eMerchant ... making the rounds of the Farmer's Markets will grow old rather quickly, and will probably not yield as much income as you hope for. Plus, it will have higher overhead, as you needed to put gas in your car to get there, extra bucks to rent a booth, not to mention the time and energy to go to the market and spend all day hawking your wares.

As an eMerchant, your business will be visible all over the world, and you can put in just a few hours a week to send out all your orders and answer your eMail ... and you can do this at 2:00am if need be.

The idea of making your own bowls and brushes and razor racks is an excellent one. There is always a need for specialized products here, and if you come up with a nice looking set at the right price, you'll have more orders than you know what to do with.

Good Luck, whatever you decide to do.

 

[wdwrx]

Sage advice indeed.
I'd have to buy small amounts at retail value, hope to sell high, 'em lug 'em..... ya.... lot's of work. And compete with eVenders.
I just thought that scents are such a visceral thing..... Reading about a scent or texture is like reading a review on music..... I just want to touch it or smell it or hear it.
I'm forever puttering around in the workshop, I've been making "bandsaw boxes" as gifts for ppl lately: to work out it's retail value less expenses comes out to about $2/ hr. Worth every penny though.

The idea of a shave stand has got the creative juices flowing...........
Thanks guys,for a little dose of reality

 

[perogee]

I live in an area with a dearth of shaving supplies

You live within 1 1/2 hours of a very fine supplier in Rasage Poulin. Other than that, I would agree.

 

[michiganlover]

My thoughts are similar to what has already been posted, but I don't think you would make much money, if any at all doing farmers markets in a semi-rural area.

Your upstart costs would be huge, since even if you stocked a few small budget items (low cost complete kits) you would easily have invested at least a few $1000 just in inventory. You then have to figure the cost of fuel, and the cost of booth rental, and the prospect of having ZERO sales for the entire weekend.

Wet Shaving is a niche market to start with, and even a reasonably cost starter kit would cost around $50. It would be difficult to convince a random visitor to a farmer's market to spend that kind of money on products, and shaving styles they have never heard of.

I have to agree with the others, if there is any money to be made, it's in selling unique products online.

 

[dpm802]

Thanks guys,for a little dose of reality

Speaking of reality, do you have any experience in Business Administration?

Aside from the skills you already possess as a craftsman, you also need to be an Accountant, an Advertiser/Merchandiser, Product R&D, Shipping/Receiving, Customer Service, and the person who answers the mails and telephone receptionist and keeps the records.

I speak from experience. I had my own Computer Consulting business going for a few years. Although I excelled as a technician, I failed miserably at the business side of things.

I found out too late, that here in the States, there is an organization called S.C.O.R.E. for the Service Corps of Retired Executives. They take fledgling entrepeneurs under their wing and (for a very modest fee) teach them the nuts and bolts of building a business from the ground up and keeping it afloat and thriving. You may have something similar in Canada, or you could take some night classes at a community college or something.

 

[wdwrx]

Certainly food for thought. I've never really given much thought to using that side of the internet..... I'm kinda old-school

Just how much of a niche is this wet shaving? I feel like I was looking for something better for years but just didn't know where to look. I've been 20 years zeroing in on this. Some bad cliche about endlessly wondering around in the dark comes to mind. I can't be the only one... If we could just bring the light to the masses!

 

[wdwrx]

Speaking of reality, do you have any experience in Business Administration?... Although I excelled as a technician, I failed miserably at the business side of things.

I relate... I'm a hell of a carpenter but no businessman! I just love to make stuff, making money seems a little harder

 

[mblakele]

Just how much of a niche is this wet shaving? I feel like I was looking for something better for years but just didn't know where to look. I've been 20 years zeroing in on this. Some bad cliche about endlessly wondering around in the dark comes to mind. I can't be the only one...

That is an excellent point, but the barrier to entry is significant. The new DE wet-shaver has to acquire a brush, bowl, cream or soap, razor, blades, and learn a significant amount of technique before exceeding the quality of a mass-market cartridge shave. For 80% of the shaving population, overcoming this barriers isn't worthwhile. The other 20% is still a significant market, but getting any single prospective customer over the hurdles is a significant effort.

One tactic is to sell the wet-shaving part, and ignore the DE portion. The brush and the soap or cream can be quite cheap, and may show some immediate benefit even with cartridges. Eventually, some of these customers will pick up DE or SE shaving.

But keep in mind that those "wandering in the dark" hear voices calling to them from every direction. The loudest voices come from the direction of the latest gooey cartridges and the latest electric hair-pullers.

Ah, I seem to be in a pessimistic mood tonight. Enjoy your shaves.

 

[airplanedoc]

My thinking is that if I were a barber, owned a tobacco shop, or maybe a nice mens clothing store, I would certianly have a display of soaps, razors, etc. Because shaving stuff is a natural fit with those lines, and I would sell on line as well to keep volume up.

Since you are a carpenter and it sounds like you have woodworking tools and skills, I would think Brush and blade handles, Custom bowls and stands would be the way to go. I know there are some people already doing these things, but If you can do soemthing unique you are in.

Thinking about it the choice of shave stands kind of stinks, that might be a good place to start.

 

[wdwrx]

My thinking is that if I were a barber, owned a tobacco shop, or maybe a nice mens clothing store, I would certianly have a display of soaps, razors, etc. Because shaving stuff is a natural fit with those lines, and I would sell on line as well to keep volume up.

That was my thought exactly... and what led me to the whole flea market thing.

I really like the idea of a brush/razor stand. Bowls I could bang out no problem.

Thanks for all the great feed-back. You've given me plenty to think about.
I'll start workin' that google thng on the internet machine and see what I can find for inspiration. The technical side is easy, it's the creative side that seems the hardest

 

[Timmy Dee]

I'll start workin' that google thng on the internet machine

Was that an accident, or did you just quote Blades of Glory?

If it was intentional, then I want one of your shave bowls even more now! You cannot be that old if you're up on the 'Glory! Well played, sir.

 

[Drubbing]

Just how much of a niche is this wet shaving? I feel like I was looking for something better for years but just didn't know where to look. I've been 20 years zeroing in on this. Some bad cliche about endlessly wondering around in the dark comes to mind. I can't be the only one... If we could just bring the light to the masses!

The masses are apathetic, mostly.

We have a handful of online merchants in Aus, and they rely on repeat business from a small number of customers to keep going.

B&B has 23,000 members culled from a worldwide network of men of shaving age, with Internet access.

Gilette gives a free razor to every 18 year old (in the US) to get started shaving.

We're a niche. Virtually every member here arrived with the internal motivation to try something else. Most men don't bother, or couldn't care. Apathy and disinterest are the most difficult things to sell against.

It's easy to share the enthusiam here, where someone can post a thread on how to hold a brush - and get numerous replies. That isn't normal behaviour.

Given your skills, you're probably better off networking the shave sites and building something from there - sell to the choir; lots of the honers/restorers do that. But I gather it's very much an extension of their own hobby and $$ are not significant.

 

[airplanedoc]

BTW

I don't do much fancy with my biz. I do all my advertising on free internet forums much like this one. Selling in their BST area. I keep a excel spreadsheet with all of my income/expense data for what I buy and sell. Other than that I have a box of business cards that I had printed at Staples and mailed to my house. My total "work" area is smaller than many walk in closets. I generally break a 4 figure profit every month, which keeps me in play toys. So it is possible

 

[spoonman]

It's easy to share the enthusiam here, where someone can post a thread on how to hold a brush - and get numerous replies. That isn't normal behaviour.

This is an excellent point!

It's very easy to get carried away about the 're-emergence' of wet shaving while participating on B&B. It's a big reality check when you start talking about wet shaving with your mates (as I did the other day) and after a couple of strange looks was asked "*** are you talking about?" and "How old are you, you weirdo?" and a few other choice words. I now keep it to myself, unless a conversation is specifically about shaving.

My point being, we wet shavers make up a very small percentage of the shaving population.

I do agree though that being able to touch and smell products would be a big advantage.

 

[Shave A Buck]

On it's own it would never make it, sorry but that is the reality. Show a buddy what you shave with and they will look at you in horror as if you are using broken glass or something as dangerous. People have forgotten what the safety razor is all about and how it evolved. The cartridge is all they know and anything D/E makes their skin white with fear. Like a Straight razor might do to some of us. I agree it is a great idea, a novel approach to a buisness venture but it must be combined with something else. You must be willing to give away product to get people to try it at first and fight the big box stores all the way.