Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal grooming but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kevin Leboeuf, president of Educated Beards, located in Fredericton, NB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Educated Beards is a leader in the industry of conscious men's grooming. A brand that sets the standard for effective, organic, and premium products. We promote awareness of the importance of using clean, safe, and quality ingredients and living an educated lifestyle.
We manufacture and distribute premium grooming products to over 3500 locations worldwide (Canada, USA, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, and South Africa.) Our products are used by anyone that is starting a beard (3days old) to a 3-foot long beard. On a deeper level, our customers are folks that vote every day with their dollars that support companies like ours that stand behind not only a product that is clean, natural, and organic but also conscious. This starts with the ingredients that we use, certified organic and sustainable. These need to be housed in the best available vessels possible, amber glass, as it eliminates the risk of leaching and slows down product deterioration.
The thing to highlight is EB isn't a brand that only specializes in beard care. We make hair products, candles, and soon a full shaving line, all this keeping with our core values using clean natural ingredients.
Tell us about yourself
When we decided to start a business, it was because we saw a gap in the market. There were no clean and safe products that actually worked well. To take it one step further, we hired an incredibly talented Canadian designer to take our branding to the next level. We also heavily promote education; it's literally in our name. We want to promote health and wellness, not just an incredibly amazing product line.
How it all started:
The summer of 2016 brought new life and a period of change for Educated Beards founders Alicia Phillips and me. During this time, we would welcome the addition of our newborn baby boy, and I would make the life-changing decision to begin my release from the Canadian Armed Forces.
Having been diagnosed with PTSD in the previous year, I began the gradual process of transitioning back into civilian life. To mark the beginning of the shift, I decided to do something that had been strictly forbidden to me my entire adult life- growing a beard. And so, "The Beard" began.
The Beard grew in as most do- beginning with irritation, dissatisfaction, and general discomfort. Not willing to give up on my beard bounty just yet, I purchased my first beard oil.
While my partner Alicia was strongly supportive of both The Beard, as a Holistic Nutritionist, she was not at all impressed by the products' harsh chemicals and toxic ingredient list. When the search for a safe and effective alternative proved unsuccessful, she looked to her own background for solutions.
After months of research, testing and trials, We had created a versatile line of premium and holistically safe beard care essentials. As word and demand for their expert formulations spread, it quickly became clear that our product needed to be shared with a larger audience.
By December 2017, both The Brand and The Beard were firmly established. Educated Beards is your premier destination for luxury, holistic beard care, and grooming essentials.
As we continue to grow every day, we hear the same questions about how I should take care of myself and how do I do it? This brings a great sense of accomplishment, knowing that we have helped someone take care of themself in return. They feel great about themselves and are more confident. We also know that we aren't just selling a product but actually making a difference in the health and safety of people and our planet.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I feel like the biggest accomplishment is putting together and growing a team of hard-working, caring, and loving folks that are on this path of building an amazing company. This goes to our in-house team but also to our team of ambassadors. It's humbling to think back that it all started with Alicia and me too now having departments and processes.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
You can never turn it off, this is our 2nd baby, and we want it to grow up to be the best possible.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Keep curious - read books, continue educating yourself.
- Stay motivated - keep people around you that will encourage you.
- Set small goals that you can cross off and feel accomplished on a daily basis.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Educated Beards is in the final stages of EU certifications. These are the highest skincare certifications in the world. Once we finalize them, we will be able to have our products throughout all of the EU.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://educatedbeards.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/educatedbeards
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educatedbeards/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EducatedB
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educated-beards/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.