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Springfield, MO

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Photo provided by DREAMBOAT GROOMING CO. LLC
Photo provided by DREAMBOAT GROOMING CO. LLC

Startup Corner: Austin Ewing, Dreamboat Grooming Co. LLC

Posted online
Minimally viable product …
As a small-batch, handmade men’s grooming supply company, we emphasize simple, high-quality ingredients. Our beard balm, beard oil and pomade follow this emphasis and also are preservative free.

Problem solving …
Having the knowledge of what is being applied to your hair and body is crucial, which is why we offer grooming products without ingredient lists of unknown chemicals.

Seed money …
Pieces of the entire operation were purchased over time. Ingredients one week, packaging the next, and so on. This allowed time for us to make adjustments and perfect the process. To this point, no loans have been necessary, and total costs fall at about $3,000.

Hurdles overcome …
Marketing. Social media marketing, as well as word-of-mouth marketing are the focus. To keep costs minimal, social media marketing has to be learned and perfected in-house. This leads to the problem of creating online store visits that lead to conversions. Building a loyal customer base that returns time and again is what we’re striving for.

Next phase …
As obvious as it sounds, growth. A larger workspace, new products, and new retailers to supply are all on the list.

Pivot …
Packaging. Creating an unboxing experience for customers has been instrumental in so many successful companies’ growth, and for good reason. A quality product is priority No. 1, but making shopping with our company an experience on top of that generates loyalty.

Biggest mistake …
Failing to ask for help. There are countless resources at our fingertips that sometimes go unused. Reaching out for a mentor would have made a great difference in time management.

Best advice …
I was told, “Start today.” Even if it is as simple as reading an article or doodling logos, starting small and increasing investments of time or money progressively will make the entire process less daunting.

Food for thought …
Movies glamorize risking it all to pursue your dreams, and to be honest, this can pose issues. Be realistic and minimize risk, if possible. Maintaining a full-time job [at NewStream Enterprises] during this venture has been straining, but the security factor is a huge plus because it keeps the process less “do or die.” A fallback should not be considered a lack of faith in your business venture, but instead a risk mitigation strategy.

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