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.
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.
