Sapone Di Paolo AMA, June 19th, 2016

Paolo, Thanks so much for doing this AMA! Very excited to have you with us.

As someone else mentioned, a couple shops have your soaps at a deep discount. Are you changing formulas, or are your soaps perhaps lesser known and just not selling as well as they should? If it is that you are not well known, I hope this AMA helps as your product is squarely in my top 5 brands. You produce a simply wonderful product.

Hey Paolo,

Any new scents in the works from Sapone Di Paolo? I have Agrume on deck to use in the morning. Love it!

Five to be precise!  Three simple and two more complex.  ...though my version of complex is still quite simple.  I can't compete with Will's wizardry!

Paolo,  Thanks so much for doing this AMA!  Very excited to have you with us.

As someone else mentioned, a couple shops have your soaps at a deep discount.  Are you changing formulas, or are your soaps perhaps lesser known and just not selling as well as they should?  If it is that you are not well known, I hope this AMA helps as your product is squarely in my top 5 brands.  You produce a simply wonderful product.

Thank you Doug!  I just saw that and had no idea it was coming.  The answer is probably a bit of both.  At the same time though, I am the only American artisan in said store that appears to be the king of the European brands.  

That said, I am indeed changing formulas.  Not a huge change, more of a small refinement.  I'm also changing packaging.  Upping the tub size to 100mm wide and new graphics.

Here's a sneak peek:  

Hey Paolo,

Any new scents in the works from Sapone Di Paolo? I have Agrume on deck to use in the morning. Love it!

Five to be precise!  Three simple and two more complex.  ...though my version of complex is still quite simple.  I can't compete with Will's wizardry!

Sometimes simplicity is perfect. Sapone Di Paolo is one of those times.

Hey Paolo,

Any new scents in the works from Sapone Di Paolo? I have Agrume on deck to use in the morning. Love it!

Five to be precise!  Three simple and two more complex.  ...though my version of complex is still quite simple.  I can't compete with Will's wizardry!

Sometimes simplicity is perfect.  Sapone Di Paolo is one of those times.

I have absolutely no problem being Levi's to Will's custom tailored suit!       I do prefer simple. ...with the utmost respect and admiration to Will of course.

Hi Paolo, since TVB is clearing its American soap inventory are we going to be able to buy any soaps after they are gone from TVB?

Hi Paolo,

What made you decide to start producing shaving soaps and aftershave products?

My hands were developing a super dryness to them and would crack open.  Bad enough that tying my shoes or reaching in my pocket for my keys would end up with bleeding hands.  After back and frothing with the dermatologist with little results beyond temporary relief, I decided to handle it myself.  I figured out sulfates were the culprit.  Once I changed all of my hand soap, shower and laundry, they cleared up.  The only thing left was shaving.

I used an electric razor for the decade prior and it was dreadful.  Lots of ingrowns and itchiness, I absolutely hated shaving.  Once I made my return to safety razors, I started learning about better creams.  Using the high end stuff like Malin & Goetz, Ursa Major and Jack Black improved things, but it seemed like everything had menthol, which I am not a fan of, or was latherless.  

I found Dapper Dragon, Catie's Bubbles and Maggard soaps and loved all of them.  From there it was just playing around with scents.  I wanted a lime one.  My Agrume scent was around nearly a year just for myself before I thought why not join the party.

very interesting! did you allow anyone other than yourself to sample your shaving creams when you first started to make them?

@"Sapone Di Paolo",

aside from shaving, what do you like to do in your spare time or as a hobby? I know you said you were a drummer - are you in a band? do you make any videos of yourself drumming?

is making shaving products your full-time gig?

Thank you for taking the time to give some background about yourself and your business. What type of razor do you use most? (DE, SE, or straight )

Thank you Jeff! I am a DE guy. I like them mild. To me, BBS should be the entire process, not just the end result. My den consists of a 34c, a Standard, and an aluminum Wolfman SB which is my favorite. I do still have my fathers '75 Gillette black beauty that I learned to shave with, but I don't use it.

I love this quote and I must say that I agree. You eloquently and succinctly put into words what I've been feeling as of late.

Do you find it difficult to produce a quality soap while also making it enjoyable for a multitude?

In the ever growing market of artisan soaps what would you like us to know about your soap that you think differentiates it the herd?

@"Sapone Di Paolo",

aside from shaving, what do you like to do in your spare time or as a hobby?  I know you said you were a drummer - are you in a band?  do you make any videos of yourself drumming?

is making shaving products your full-time gig?

I have been a musician since I was 9.  I've been in many bands and it's been my on and off job for much of my adulthood.  I play more of the "holy crap, our drummer is sick and we start in 30 minutes" emergency guy as of late.  I've scaled it way back in recent years.  My tastes are typically more electronic focused and I have always been much happier on the production/recording side of things.

I am also a ravenous fan of BMX racing.  I can't wait for the Olympics!

Sapone Di Paolo is not full time yet.  I've always had other work due to the pay inconsistencies of the arts.  Soap has been very rewarding thus far, I'd love for it to be my only job.

I have absolutely no problem being Levi's to Will's custom tailored suit!       I do prefer simple. ...with the utmost respect and admiration to Will of course.

Paolo, with the best "Will" in the world (pun intended), have you priced a pair of Levi's 501's lately? [Image: laugh2.gif]