Interview: Dr K Soap Company

 

Dr k Soap Company Beard Tonic

Here at RoyalShave, we are constantly scouring the globe to bring you the best men’s grooming products. When we discovered Dr K Soap Company in Cork, Ireland, we knew we had stumbled upon a gem. Concepted and formulated by a biochemist and scientist with a penchant for natural ingredients, Dr K Products not only perform exceedingly well, but they’re also good for you (and cruelty free!).

Check out our interview with Dr. Rob Karreman, founder of Dr K Soap Company, to learn all the interesting details of how the company started, how the beautiful scenery of Ireland inspires his creation process, and what’s to come.

Where are you located?

Cork, Ireland.

When and why did you start this business?

I started the business in 2011 after funding ran out for my position as a researcher at a university in Cork, Ireland. The process of soapmaking had always appealed to the biochemist and scientist in me and so it was almost a natural transition. I also really liked the idea of experimentation in my own lab – it was and still is an exciting and fun process to manufacture the Dr K range of body care products.

How did you come up with the name of your company? 

The company is named after me – Dr (Rob) K(arreman).

What inspires you?

My inspiration is intrinsic to my personality – I am inquisitive and a perfectionist so product formulation and development ticks all of the right boxes. I also love nature. Living in Ireland, I am fortunate to be surrounded by lush, unspoiled beauty which inspires the use of all-natural ingredients and earthy, natural colours in my packaging and branding.

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What are some of your accomplishments as a business?

Dr K Soap Company started out as a cottage industry in my kitchen and has since blossomed into an internationally recognized brand in men’s grooming.

What do you believe makes a quality product?

Meticulous research and attention to detail. There are many products out there that rely on hype, but I strive to research each ingredient to ensure that the end product is the best that it can be. While branding and packaging are important and certainly help with retail presence, I feel that the product itself speaks volumes at the end of the day in terms of customer satisfaction. Many of my sales are from repeat customers, a clear indicator of the quality and contribution of the product to men’s lifestyles.

What is one Dr K Soap Company product every man should own and why?

If you own a beard, Dr K’s Beard Tonic is a must-have, especially for the drier winter months. If you are clean shaven, Dr K’s Shaving Soap is a top-quality soap that provides a smooth shave with excellent after-shave moisturisation. It is also one of the very few vegan-friendly shaving soaps on the market today.

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

I would say “go with your dream”. I started my company from scratch with a dream of providing people with a top-quality product that would be better for them than the mass-produced, chemical-laden products on our supermarket shelves. I am delighted that others share this vision as well – by purchasing my products and contributing to the growth of the Dr K brand, they have shown the grooming industry an immense demand for natural products.

What do you have coming from Dr K Soap Company in the near future?

While the company is currently focused on few flagship products – simply due to the overwhelming demand for them (!) – I plan to bring out some new products as time permits. In the pipeline are variations of scents for our Beard Soap & Beard Tonic and new products such as a Beard Balm and Moustache Wax for styling applications.

Where can readers find out more about your company?

I have a website at www.drksoap.com and several social media channels, including:

Facebook: DrKSoapCompany

Instagram: @DrKSoapCompany

Twitter: @DrKSoapCompany

Shop for Dr K Soap Company products at RoyalShave.

Robert Karreman_Dr K

Dr K Soap Company Beard Care Set

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Gift Guide: 7 Luxurious Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him

Valentine’s Day is the ultimate day to indulge your significant other. If you’re in the giving mood this year, we’ve got a list of 7 unique and luxurious gift ideas to make him feel regally pampered. Whether it’s the perfect champagne glass or a throw made to military specs, all of our picks are finely crafted and built to last.

Check out our list of gift ideas to make this Valentine’s Day one he won’t soon forget.

The Portland Press

The Portland Press by Bucket $159

If your guy is a purveyor of high quality, locally-made goods – and also a coffee addict – he will fall for The Portland Press by Bucket. Made entirely in Portland and sourced from the USA, The Portland Press is a French press for your Mason jar. Why a Mason jar? French presses typically use a thinner glass that breaks easily. Mason jars are thicker and can be replaced inexpensively should they break.

The wool cozy is sourced from Oregon’s Creekside Fiber Mill, and one of the parts in the filter mechanism is made by Custom Stamping & Manufacturing, a family-owned business that has been in Portland over 50 years.

Even better, The Portland Press comes with a Lifetime Warranty.

Merkur Futur Adjustable Razor

Merkur Futur Adjustable Razor, Polished Chrome Finish $89.10

A RoyalShave customer favorite, the Merkur Futur Adjsutable Razor in a Polished Chrome Finish synthesizes beauty, revolutionary craftsmanship, and adjustability. A snap-top head allows your guy to change double-edged blades readily, and the adjustable handle gives him precise control over his shave.

Foot Soldier Military Wool Gray Stripped

Foot Soldier Military Wool Blanket – Gray Stripped $210

Originally made according to military specs to accommodate the varying sleeping temperatures of Cadet sleeping quarters, the Faribault Foot Soldier Military Wool Blanket is warm yet breathable. Made from 100% pure wool, the blanket features a “double cloth” construction and a stylish striped gray finish.

Monti-Flute Champagne Glasses

Monti-Flute Champagne Glasses, Set of Two $50

A perfect marriage of style and function. The Monti-Flute Champagne Glasses by Sempli feature a unique profile and are designed to elegantly hold your Champagne or sparkling wine. These fluted glasses are made in small batches for that exquisite shape.

Muhle STYLO Thuja Wood Silvertip Badger Hair Shaving Brush

Muhle STYLO Thuja Wood Silvertip Badger Hair Shaving Brush $232

If your guy already owns a double-edged safety razor or straight razor, the Muhle STYLO Thuja Wood Silvertip Badger Hair Shaving Brush will complete his Old World wet shaving experience. Made from carefully selected Thuja Wood, the handle is richly grained and coated with resin for a 100% waterproof finish. Muhle’s STYLO line tends towards modern, clean lines and sophisticated profiles.

Featuring top-of-the-line silvertip badger hair, this brush produces a rich lather and won’t scratch the skin.

Nixon ‘The Sentry’ Leather Strap Watch, 42mm

Nixon ‘The Sentry’ Leather Strap Watch, 42mm $150

Everything about this watch bespeaks quality and class, from the elongated, modern indexes to the rustic leather strap. A stainless steel watch frame and mineral crystal face keep this beautiful design durable and sleek.

Diptyque Feu de Bois “Gris”/”Grey” Wood Fire Candle

Diptyque Feu de Bois “Gris”/”Grey” Wood Fire Candle $90

Diptyque candles instantly fill a room with rich, beautiful scents. The Feu de Bois “Gris” candle presents the Parisian company’s signature Feu de Bois scent in a gray-colored glass. Woodsy and warm, this candle is ideal any time you want to be transported.

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