Naming a company with your last name automatically makes you an egomaniac now? How is this any different from the thousands of other companies and charities named after founders? I never hear any of them criticized for their names.
What race card is he playing by looking to provide solutions to a group under served by an industry? Black men do have some unique hair/skincare/health challenges. Seems like a good vertical... but I can also understand why vc's may not see that upfront. That can be solved with execution.
No experience? Killed it at Foursquare, didn't he? That's gotta count for something. Plus, plenty of first time founders come right out of undergrad, sometimes not even finishing. You usually don't hear the "no experience" thing in those cases though.
The "he used his social connections" thing is pretty hilarious being that the majority of founders make and use relationships to increase chances of getting funded or getting introduced to vc's and angels. Since when is this considered a bad thing?
There's always going to be a better idea and a more qualified guy doing xyz around the corner. What else is new?
I got into safety razor shaving in high school. It feels pretty nice, looks classy, and is a lot cheaper than Mach5 or whatever they are selling now. Now I just use an electric shaver because it's so much faster.
$60 for the starter kit doesn't sound insane, to be fair...
For what it's worth, I got a perfectly good safety razor and some blades shipped from Hong Kong via eBay for $10-$12. Works like a charm.
Yes, they work well. Yes, they cause fewer ingrown hairs. No, they don't last as long as multi-blades. No, they don't work on as scruffy a beard. No, this isn't the only place that sells them you can get any number of these at Walgreen's.
I also thought the launch, marketing and focus on men and women of color were interesting. Maybe I should have posted this link instead which provides some extra context
http://allthingsd.com/20131218/tristan-walkers-next-act-buil...
I really like safety razors for scruffy beards. The only more effective alternative would be a straight razor.
> you can get any number of these at Walgreen's.
FWIW, Not sure this is actually true. I'm pretty sure no mass market retailer sells safety razors anymore in store. It's been that way for many years. In fact, the last time I checked, none of my local walgreens, CVS, or walmarts, even sell DE blades in store. That could change if this becomes popular again.
Btw, Tristan Walker (guy behind this venture) was one of Foursquare's 1st employees. Nice guy and smart as hell. The launch campaign he's rolling out seems to be well executed. Wish them the best...
i guess startups are at the point where reintroducing "old" technology is the new thing? this market is FLOODED with competition, good luck.
