Stirling Soap AMA, March 18th, 2017

I think you've tested a shampoo bar in the past and/or still doing so. How is that coming along or has that been squashed? I shaved with executive man followed with the matching splash this morning and it was great.

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Hey Rod,

Just picked up a Dallas handle so Ill let you know what I think about it when it comes in! Just want to thank you for letting me able to up my shaving gear as a med student on a budget. Shaved with Electric Sheep yesterday (first time using mutton tallow), and I loved the scent and shave! My question for you is: Was there ever a time where you thought you were going to have to hang up the business or not make it? I hope to one day see you in retailers nationwide, and you've got me sold on your products!
Also, as an Atlanta Braves fan, I will forever be salty that the Braves traded Chris Carpenter to the Cardinals early in his career
Hotty Toddy and Chop On,
Hunter

I saw your order come in earlier. Fair warning, it likely won't ship til Wednesday thanks to the backlog of orders, but you should still have it by the end of the week since you're just a few hours down the road. I really hope you love the handle. They are big and unique and new, and not cheap, so of course I'm extremely worried that customers will hate them. I hope for the opposite though.

As for wanting to quit, all the time. Not as much anymore, but there was a time that it took much perseverance on the part of Mandy and myself. There was the incident with another unnamed forum where we were accused of shilling back in 2013, and shortly thereafter a very public (and false) accusation that we were stealing scent ideas. We watched our revenues drop by half and we worried that they would never recover. For two years of tax returns after I got out of the Army and Mandy lost her job we were under the federal poverty line. Luckily we didn't have much debt at the time and were able to get by without sacrificing much in terms of quality of life other than not going out much and drinking cheap beer. But yes, I've wanted to quit many times. Most recently back in November when I had a cardiac incident. As I was getting my chest shaved for the EKG, I was laying there thinking that the stress of trying to build up your own business is not worth it and I should just go find a normal 9 to 5 job.

I didn't and I won't though, until wetshaving no longer pays the bills. I love doing this most days. However, in the interest of my heart and my health, I try to step back from work more often. Even though I work 9 out of 10 weekends, I rarely answer the phone on weekends. I don't after 430 PM on weekdays either. I don't fret when people get mad that I didn't have them their package as fast as Amazon Prime. I try not to get upset or take it personal when someone doesn't like my products and lets me know via less than cordial methods. It's just a part of it. I don't know that there are too many business models like wetshaving. If you think of the access that customers get to people get to me or to Will at Barrister and Mann, or Shawn at Chatty Lux or any number of well-known artisans, I don't think you'd find an analog in many other fields.

Edit: Also, thanks for Carpenter! Another of my favorite Cardinals. I've got a signed jersey hanging in the workshop.

I think you've tested a shampoo bar in the past and/or still doing so. How is that coming along or has that been squashed? I shaved with executive man followed with the matching splash this morning and it was great.

Mandy is chomping at the bit to get started on them again. They were just on hold until we had more space. Nowhere to put them. The expansion is almost done though.... or at least it better be.

Hey Rod, I just wanted to chime in and say that I love your products and to keep up the good work! We use your bath soaps and shaving soaps all the time. Autumn Glory is one of my favorite scents that I've come across in shaving products. I love it. There may be an obvious answer to this question, but what was the inspiration for it? Is there a specific time or memory in your life that could be attached to it?

I see you are also a Cards fan like Shawn. I was pointing out to him in another thread that I'm still a little salty over the 2006 World Series, being a Tigers fan. It was their first WS since '84 and they totally blew it. The '06 Cardinals were the worst team to ever win it all. I think they only won 83 games during the regular season. It was a sad let down after the dramatic way that the Tigers made it that far. Oh well. And BTW, Miguel Cabrera is better than Pujols. Just sayin'

Also, is it true you'll be making it all the way up to Michigan for the Maggard meet-up? If so, that's cool! Safe travels and I'll see you there.

I think you've tested a shampoo bar in the past and/or still doing so. How is that coming along or has that been squashed? I shaved with executive man followed with the matching splash this morning and it was great.

Mandy is chomping at the bit to get started on them again. They were just on hold until we had more space. Nowhere to put them. The expansion is almost done though.... or at least it better be.

what's different in the shampoo bars versus the bath bars? I typically just use my bar of soaps (all artisan) to wash my head too.

I think you've tested a shampoo bar in the past and/or still doing so. How is that coming along or has that been squashed? I shaved with executive man followed with the matching splash this morning and it was great.

Mandy is chomping at the bit to get started on them again. They were just on hold until we had more space. Nowhere to put them. The expansion is almost done though.... or at least it better be.

what's different in the shampoo bars versus the bath bars?  I typically just use my bar of soaps (all artisan) to wash my head too.

Yeah, big guy, but you shave your head, ya big cheater!

Dont worry about the shipping being slow for this order. My last order came in 3 days so yall are doing more than great in that department for me. Thats crazy about the forum incident. It seems like most of the forums I visit now have mostly nothing but great things to say about y'all. All of the mail calls on wicked edge tend to push the newcomers towards yall also so thats nice. I cant wait for the shampoo bars because I have an itchy scalp in the winter, and I have a feeling some artisan shampoo bars would help. Well keep up the hard work, take time for yourself and your family, and thanks for being so interactive with the community! The wet shaving community is awesome!

Edited to Add: Also, my wife and I agree if you can get Baker St in cologne form you can take all our money. I know it isnt technically your scent, but youve done an amazing job with it.

Damn I even had this on my calendar!

I don't know if it is just a placebo effect or not, but the honey/oatmeal bath soap seems like it helps my psoriasis (I know you aren't allowed to make medical claims with strict testing from the FDA). I just ordered the piacenza soap and AS. I wish I would have ordered it earlier. Executive Man soap/AS/Bath soap are still my favorite though. Is Executive Mn still your best seller?

Oh and if you make a dopp kit I am ALL OVER THAT sheet lol. I have been looking at them, but haven't bought one yet.

Hey Rod, I just wanted to chime in and say that I love your products and to keep up the good work! We use your bath soaps and shaving soaps all the time. Autumn Glory is one of my favorite scents that I've come across in shaving products. I love it. There may be an obvious answer to this question, but what was the inspiration for it? Is there a specific time or memory in your life that could be attached to it?

I see you are also a Cards fan like Shawn. I was pointing out to him in another thread that I'm still a little salty over the 2006 World Series, being a Tigers fan. It was their first WS since '84 and they totally blew it. The '06 Cardinals were the worst team to ever win it all. I think they only won 83 games during the regular season. It was a sad let down after the dramatic way that the Tigers made it that far. Oh well. And BTW, Miguel Cabrera is better than Pujols. Just sayin'

Also, is it true you'll be making it all the way up to Michigan for the Maggard meet-up? If so, that's cool! Safe travels and I'll see you there.

That 06 team was probably the most underachieving team I've ever watched, partly fueled by injuries to guys like Edmonds, Rolen, and Eckstein, and partly by some of the wrost pitching ever. They certainly got hot at the right time though. Love me some Miggy. Second best hitter of my lifetime! ;-)

As for the Autumn Glory, it's actually a premade fragrance. We wanted something that smelled like a damp fall morning in the woods, and that was one of the first 3 or 4 oils we tested, and we liked it so much that we didn't bother ordering testers from other companies. We knew that it was the fragrance we were looking for. We have quite a few "woody, outdoorsy" scents mainly because Mandy and I love being outdoors. I'll take camping over an amusement park seven days a week and twice on Sunday.

I look forward to meeting you in Michigan!