# Live Episode! Walker & Company: Tristan Walker (2019)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2022-02-28
- Length: 1h 02m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-02-28-live-episode-walker-company-tristan-walker-2019

## Summary

Tristan Walker, founder of Walker & Company, explains how his personal struggle with razor bumps for coarse hair led to the creation of Bevel, a single-blade shaving system designed for men and women of color. After facing rejection from dozens of VCs who did not understand the problem, he launched the company with a subscription model, eventually securing partnerships with major retailers like Target and selling to Procter & Gamble. Walker details the product design choices, such as the safety razor head and premium packaging, and the strategic decision to move the company’s headquarters to Atlanta to better serve his core demographic and build a lasting legacy.

## Chapters

- [1:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-02-28-live-episode-walker-company-tristan-walker-2019#t=82) Introduction: Tristan Walker and the Bevel Origin Story
- [4:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-02-28-live-episode-walker-company-tristan-walker-2019#t=290) Walker's Early Life, Education, and Wall Street Experience
- [13:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-02-28-live-episode-walker-company-tristan-walker-2019#t=807) Foursquare Internship and Stanford MBA
- [17:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-02-28-live-episode-walker-company-tristan-walker-2019#t=1068) Entrepreneur in Residence and Finding the Idea
- [28:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-02-28-live-episode-walker-company-tristan-walker-2019#t=1713) Pitching Bevel and Overcoming VC Rejection
- [39:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-02-28-live-episode-walker-company-tristan-walker-2019#t=2370) Product Development: Razor Design and Formulations
- [44:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-02-28-live-episode-walker-company-tristan-walker-2019#t=2664) Launch Strategy, Marketing, and Getting into Target
- [54:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-02-28-live-episode-walker-company-tristan-walker-2019#t=3294) Acquisition by Procter & Gamble and Moving to Atlanta

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Bevel (product)
- Procter & Gamble (company)
- Foursquare (company)
- Target (company)
- Stanford (other)
- Hotchkiss (other)
- Lehman Brothers (company)
- J.P. Morgan (company)
- Ben Horowitz (other)
- Andreessen Horowitz (company)
- Dollar Shave Club (company)
- Harry's (company)
- Warby Parker (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [018: Re-inventing the walker with Jennifer Harris of Motivo](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-09-13-018-re-inventing-the-walker-with-jennifer-harris-of-motivo) (Product Startup)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 1 - Rich Brilliant Willing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-08-19-afterschool-podcast-episode-1-rich-brilliant-willing) (Core77 Podcast)
- [Ep. 8 - Ryan from V1 Engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-09-ep-8-ryan-from-v1-engineering) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 19 - Craighton Berman, Founder of Manual (04/16)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2014-04-16-afterschool-podcast-episode-19-craighton-berman-founder-of-manual-04-16) (Core77 Podcast)
- [087: Purpose is a Big Part of Consumer Product Success](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2021-08-04-087-purpose-is-a-big-part-of-consumer-product-success) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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