Hardware Podcasts

205 - LIVE at Cosmoprof with 18.21 Manmade founder Aston Lafon

People of Packaging · 21 Jul 2023 · 19m

What this episode covers

Aston Lafon, President and Co-founder of 1821 Manmade, discusses his men's grooming brand's Prohibition-era aesthetic, featuring packaging designed to feel substantial and masculine, such as whiskey flask bottles and painted steel cans. He explains how the brand differentiates itself through experiential fragrances like 'Absolute Mahogany' and 'Sweet Honey Tobacco,' while prioritizing product performance to avoid being perceived as a gimmick. Lafon details the company's journey from a garage startup in Texas to a global presence in roughly 30 countries, highlighting their distribution through retailers like Alta and Amazon.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
1821 Manmade, Specright, SupplyCaddy, Pura, Alta, Amazon, Murray's
Also
Cosmoprof

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 29m

    Founder Feature: Lex Evan of Lexington Bakes

    Lex Evan, founder of Lexington Bakes, discusses his transition from a 20-year graphic design career at Johnson & Johnson to creating luxury baked goods with radical ingredient transparency. He explains his trademarked 'no naughty ingredients' philosophy, the decision to print supplier logos like Nielsen-Massey and Artisana on packaging, and the recent shock of his co-manufacturer going out of business. Evan shares how staying true to his vision led to winning a NEXTY Award at Expo West and offers advice on protecting time as a solo founder.

    Validation & product-market fitMarketing & brand
    6 chapters

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 24m

    Founder Feature: Bilal Othman of Huwa

    Bilal Othman, founder of Huwa, explains how he transformed a multi-generational Palestinian olive farming tradition into a premium U.S.-based brand to maintain family connections. He details the brand's unique packaging design, which draws from childhood memories and repurposed bottles, and contrasts Huwa's single-origin, cold-pressed production with the commodity processing of mainstream olive oils. Othman discusses the operational challenges of scaling this artisanal process and his strategy for retailers to position fresh olive oil in the produce section rather than the pantry aisle.

    Packaging designMaterials & manufacturing processes
    5 chapters

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 36m

    Founder Feature: JoLynn Henke and Peter Clarkson

    JoLynn Henke and Peter Clarkson, co-founders of Protéger, discuss their eco-luxury skincare brand and its flagship product, Dermal Serum, a full-body, unisex formula born from JoLynn’s experience caring for her mother with ALS. They explain their strategy of targeting diverse use cases—from tattoo preservation to post-manicure hydration—to bypass saturated traditional beauty channels and secure retail partnerships through personal connections, such as with Figgy Co. The founders also detail how they turned a logistics failure involving damaged inventory into a successful 'rescue bottle' charity initiative with the Beagle Freedom Project, while emphasizing their commitment to gender-neutral marketing and clean ingredients.

    Direct-to-consumer & e-commerceRetail, wholesale & distribution
    5 chapters

  • Product Startup · 56m

    030: Launching a product with $500 and no industry knowledge, Josh Smith of Libertine Fragrance

    Josh Smith, founder of Libertine Fragrance, explains how he launched his unisex perfume brand with only $500 and no prior industry knowledge while finishing his industrial design degree. He details his bootstrapping process, including mixing 30-70 ingredients per formula in his home, navigating IFRA regulations for European markets, and validating demand through anonymous student feedback and boutique retail partnerships. Smith discusses the challenges of scaling production for new cosmetic lines, managing quality control without third-party testing, and securing a positive review from prominent perfume critic Luca Turin to boost international sales.

    Materials & manufacturing processesStarting a product company
    10 chapters

  • Thoroughly Considered · 44m

    131: Authenticity in Marketing

    Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost of Studio Neat discuss the production of a limited edition Mark One pen featuring large-scale laser engraving, explaining the technical challenges of removing anodization to reveal the metal. They explore the tension between maintaining a high-quality brand aesthetic and adopting authentic, low-fi marketing tactics like founder-led video ads to combat AI-generated content and build trust. The conversation also touches on the industry's shift toward personal branding, the limitations of user-generated content for premium goods, and a tribute to the creative partnership between Jony Ive and Steve Jobs.

    Marketing & brandMaterials & manufacturing processes
    6 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by People of Packaging. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.