
The founders of The Art of Shaving: Myriam and Eric
It’s the story of two people meeting and sharing the same dream. Myriam, with a background in the spa industry, had a love for skin care and cosmetics. Eric, with a background in business, had a true entrepreneurial spirit. They met in Miami when Myriam was just 19 and Eric was 26. Seeking new opportunities, they both moved to New York City in 1995, where Myriam began studying Aromatherapy and Eastern medicine, and Eric joined a small company distributing European male grooming products.
Eric, like most men, had a sensitive skin. One day, in their kitchen of their Manhattan flat, Myriam wanted to make a little experiment and formulate a special oil for him to be used before shaving, a combination of botanical ingredients and pure essential oils. The next day, Eric applied this protective pre-shave oil before shaving. From the first stroke of the razor, Eric felt the blade gliding smoothly and comfortably on his skin: A new shaving concept was born.
As most entrepreneurs starting, they were eager to shave their new pre-shave oil treatment, but they didn’t have the money needed to invest, so they sold their car for $12,000. Eric and Myriam used their money to open first The Art of Shaving shop, in late 1996, on a side street in Manhattan. Six months later, a miracle occurred: The New York Times devoted a full-page story to the little shop. The response was amazing-new customers packed the shop and then returned again and again. (more…)