800razors.com
 | |
| Private | |
| Industry | Personal hygiene |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founder |
Phil Masiello (president & CEO) Steven Krane (COO) |
| Headquarters | Catonsville, Maryland |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Men's and women's razors |
| Website |
800razors |
800razors.com is an American personal care products company, selling men's and women's razors online.
History
800razors.com was founded in 2013 by Phil Masiello, who serves as president and chief executive officer, and Steven Krane, who serves as chief operating officer.[1][2][3] The company is based in Catonsville, Maryland, just south of Baltimore.[3][4] The website was launched on July 1, 2013, with $1 million in start-up capital from its two founders.[4]
Masiello and Krane previously developed and launched several businesses together, including the grab-and-go meal store The Daily Market in 1995, which they built up to a five-store business before selling in the late-1990s; and Raw Essentials by Carol Alt, a natural skin care products company launched with former supermodel Carol Alt in 2008.[2][4]
In late 2011, on a business trip to Bentonville, Arkansas, Masiello and Krane were at Wal-Mart, browsing the razors.[3] Curious as to why razor blades are so expensive, the partners researched the industry and found an opening for high-quality blades at a more reasonable price.[4][5] In founding the company, they focused on online sales, to eliminate the middleman and sell directly to customers.[1][4]
Products
Description
800razors.com's three- and five-blade cartridge razors are available in packages of 12, 15, 24 and 30.[6][7] They sell two types of razors for men and one type for women,[4][8] offering several shipping options: a one-time shipment, or a subscription service with regular smaller shipments at an interval of the customer's choice.[7]
800razors.com is the only online razor company marketed toward both men and women.[5] The blades are American-made and ceramic-coated.[3] With an exclusive e-commerce deal, the company's razors are supplied by Energizer Holdings, owner of Schick and American Safety Razor. This deal gives 800razors.com access to Schick patents.[2] In 2013, 800razors.com had sales of around $1 million.[2] As of January 2014, the company has 20,000 subscribers,[9] and expects to have a projected 250,000 subscribers by the end of 2015.[10] The company has projected that by 2024 it will gain 10% of the blade and cartridge market; there are estimated to be approximately 36 million razor-cartridge users in the US as of 2014.[2]
List of razors
- Men's 3-Blade Razor and Handle
- Men's 5-Blade Razor and Handle
- Women's 5-Blade Razor and Handle
Reviews
Forbes stated that "the razor is sharp, smooth, and comfortable," and commended 800razors.com for being straightforward and focusing on providing customers with a quality product at a reasonable price.[1] Men's Journal called the company's ceramic-coated blades "tenacious workers" and praised the flexibility of the shipment options.[7] About.com called the razors "very good" and "reasonably priced," adding that the Men's 5-Blade provides "a close, comfortable shave which was on par with the Gillette Fusion."[11] With its focus on providing customers with a shave comparable to Gillette at half the price,[1] 800razors.com has been called "the David to Gillette's Goliath."[5]
Marketing and investors
In August 2013, 800razors.com offered Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brian Wilson $1 million (matching his yearly salary) to shave off his iconic thick black beard and become a brand ambassador for the company.[12][13][14] Wilson declined the offer and kept his beard.[15][16]
In September 2015, it was announced that American swimmer and 18-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps had signed on as a television and online spokesperson, and become a shareholder in the company. Phelps first sampled the product in the beginning of 2015.[10]
Former Pepsi-Cola and Apple CEO John Sculley became an investor and advisor to the company in the Spring of 2015.[17][18]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Phil Johnson, “The Razor Wars: 800Razors.com Takes A Swing At Gillette,” Forbes, August 12, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Jack Neff, “800Razors.com Takes on Dollar Shave, Pitches Itself as Best for Quality, Price, Convenience,” Advertising Age, January 6, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Jamie Smith Hopkins, “Local startup in the battle for razor customers,” Baltimore Sun, November 10, 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Thomas Heath, “Entrepreneur Phil Masiello builds big dreams on a razor’s edge,” Washington Post, November 10, 2013.
- 1 2 3 Jill Malandrino, “800Razors.com is the David to the Razor Industry Goliaths,” TheStreet.com, May 19, 2014.
- ↑ “What is the Best Gillette Fusion ProGlide Alternative?” Sharpologist, November 20, 2013.
- 1 2 3 “How to Save Money on Shaving,” Men's Journal, November 5, 2013.
- ↑ Andrew Strong, “Is 800Razors.com Worth the Switch?” Electrogent, October 15, 2013.
- ↑ Jess Blumberg Mayhugh, “Cut Above,” Baltimore, January 2014.
- 1 2 Jeff Barker, “Michael Phelps has new endorsement deal with Baltimore razor company,” Baltimore Sun, September 14, 2015.
- ↑ Dave Alexander, “A Review of 800razors.com Men’s 5 Blade Razor,” About.com, July 23, 2014.
- ↑ Amber Ryland, “LA Dodgers Pitcher Brian Wilson Offered 7 Figures To Shave Off His Trademark Beard,” Radar Online, August 19, 2013.
- ↑ Mike Axisa, “Razor company offers Brian Wilson $1 million to shave beard,” CBSSports.com, August 22, 2013.
- ↑ Bill Carey, “Brian Wilson offered $1 million by razor company to shave beard,” Sports Illustrated, August 22, 2013.
- ↑ “Dodgers’ Brian Wilson: Everyone Chill… My Beard Is Here to Stay!!” TMZ, August 22, 2013.
- ↑ Jill Painter, “Brian Wilson commits to beard, Dodgers,” Los Angeles Daily News, August 25, 2013.
- ↑ Nancy Dahlberg, “John Sculley sees opportunities for next ‘moonshots’ in healthcare,” Miami Herald, April 19, 2015.
- ↑ Ari Levy, “Apple ex-CEO John Sculley is enjoying a revival,” CNBC, July 15, 2015.