Harry’s Razors: Andy Katz-Mayfield and Jeff Raider

How I Built This · 12 Jun 2023 · 1h 13m

What this episode covers

Andy Katz-Mayfield and Jeff Raider, co-founders of Harry's, explain how they disrupted the razor industry dominated by Gillette and Procter & Gamble by launching a direct-to-consumer brand in 2013. They detail the process of partnering with Fine Technik, a German manufacturer, to produce high-quality blades, and their subsequent decision to acquire the factory to achieve vertical integration. The founders discuss raising capital, navigating cultural clashes with German operations, and expanding into household goods through Harry's Labs and the Flamingo brand after a blocked merger with Edgewell.

Mentioned

Companies
Gillette, Procter & Gamble, Fine Technik, Warby Parker, Dollar Shave Club, Edgewell, Target, Walmart, Bain & Company, Charles River Associates, Tiger Global
Products
Harry's, Flamingo
Also
Uncrate

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 1h 00m

    Founder Fundraising Journey: Craig Dubitsky, Happy Products

    Craig Dubitsky, Co-Founder and CEO of Happy Products, discusses his journey building brands like eos, hello, and Method, and his current venture, Happy, which partners with NAMI. He explains that Happy is in the 'Happy business' with coffee as the delivery system, and details how NAMI holds equity on the cap table from day zero. Dubitsky shares fundraising strategies, emphasizing the importance of an advisory board, identifying manufacturers, and managing expectations that projects will cost more and take longer than anticipated. He also reflects on the acquisition of hello by Colgate, framing it as an 'entrance' rather than an exit, and highlights the critical role of product-market fit, repeat sales, and cross-channel distribution.

  • Just Gonna Send It · 1h 01m

    Jake Holland (CEO, HAViK)

    Jake Holland, CEO of HAViK, discusses his journey from a rural upbringing and a 20-year racing career to engineering roles at GE and Hamilton, and finally to founding his outdoor gear company. He details the launch of HAViK's first product, the Blaze knife, including the challenges of packaging iteration and the strategic decision to manufacture in-house using a VF-2 mill. Holland shares advice on transitioning from side hustle to full-time entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of leveraging external manufacturing partners like SendCutSend for raw materials while retaining control over the final assembly and brand growth.

  • Thoroughly Considered · 49m

    134: Kevin Kelly Remains Undefeated

    Dan Provost, co-founder of Studio Neat, discusses his new custom guitar company, Offkilter Guitars, detailing the transition from hobbyist to small business, including sourcing parts from Warmouth and managing a fragmented manufacturing process. Myke Hurley shares insights from his successful Kickstarter campaign for 'Designed in California,' a historical podcast series with Jason Snell, explaining how pre-selling memberships helped fund ambitious production goals and overcome subscription fatigue.

  • Core77 Podcast · 55m

    Afterschool Podcast, Episode 1 - Rich Brilliant Willing

    Theo Richardson, Alex Williams, and Charles Brill, co-founders of the Brooklyn design studio Rich Brilliant Willing, discuss their journey from RISD graduates to running a furniture and lighting company. They explain how the 2008 financial crisis pushed them to bypass traditional licensing models and instead design and manufacture their own products, such as the XL Perch and Delta Fabric lamp series, to maintain speed and control. The founders detail their collaborative process, the shift from seasonal trade show launches to a more continuous product release strategy, and the challenges of maintaining their creative partnership while scaling the business.

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 34m

    Founder Feature: Val Emanuel of Rif Care

    Val Emanuel, co-founder of Rif Care, discusses building a sustainable feminine care brand using hemp fiber, detailing her journey from a talent agency career to securing manufacturing partners overseas. She explains how the company achieved early retail success with Erewhon through direct networking and highlights the critical importance of email capture workflows for DTC growth. Emanuel also shares candid experiences regarding bias in VC fundraising, advocating for grants and accelerators like Techstars and Jumpstart Foundry as viable alternatives for capital and support.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by How I Built This. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.