If you're reading this blog, you are certainly aware that the number of men's grooming products, web sites and stores is increasing everyday. The men's grooming market is growing rapidly -- but is still in the early stages of its explosion. That said, how does a consumer like yourself seperate the real players from the pretenders? How do you determine which joint really knows what it's doing and which is just trying to make a quick buck in a cool segment?
Well, we're sorry to say that we don't have all the answers? We really can't speak for every recent M.B.A. who graduates from _________ (insert school here) and decides they've got what it takes to conquer the market. We can tell you that loading up on tons of venture capital and having pretty business plans doesn't always translate into a great customer experience and financial success. How do we know... we see some players of this ilk bite the dust everyday. And while we never wish failure on anyone -- everytime one of these pretenders drops -- it just goes to further prove our concept and background. It further proves that Grooming Lounge is a different breed. Why??? Read below.
Grooming Lounge was started by Pirooz and I because we have a passion for this business. We both grew up in the "beauty/grooming" market and have used our combined industry experience to formulate the way anything and everything is done within our company.
Pirooz has been cutting hair since he was a teenager. His mother was a hairstylist and taught him the ropes of fashion/beauty/grooming at an early age. He used these early experiences to become one of the country's top platform artists at hair shows from California to Florida. Currently, in addition to serving as the company's educational leader, spokesperson and Grooming Guru (he knows everything about hair, skin, etc.), Pirooz also teaches men's haircutting at one of the country's top hair academies. What does this mean? It means that Pirooz influences and has a say in every service that is provided at the Grooming Lounge and gives his personal approval on every product that is offered on our site and in our store. He's the real deal and is often the "go-to" grooming source for magazines like GQ, Maxim and more.
As for me (Mike), I'm the marketing guy and the one who writes most of the stuff you read on this site. I grew up in the family business (selling head-to-toe grooming products) and always wished there was a place to get these services that woudn't emasculate me. A place for guys -guys. Grooming Lounge stores are that place and the web site is just an extension of the store (by the way, who would take the recommmendations of a web site where the owner/writer has no background in the industry?).
The bottom line is that when Pirooz and I got together we wanted to create something special. Destinations where guys could not only get the best in technical service (great haircuts, skincare, etc), but also the best in customer service (treated like a king). We wanted to create destinations that had as much steak as sizzle. We set out to create WOW experiences for men.
We've done that and want to raise the bar on our service level everyday. That's why we train our great team at least once a week and are never satisfied with service (we can always do better).
Well, we think we've provided enough GL propoganda. We're different because men's grooming and customer service is our passion -- our mission. Providing great technical and customer service comes before all else. That's the "Kool Aid" our staff drinks everyday.
Want some?
We are proud to announce that Menscience products are now available on our site and in our stores. The bottom line is that these products simply work -- they aren't all about zany marketing and clever packaging. Early favorites among the GL staff include the Daily Shampoo (a favorite of the famous Dr. Michael Lubecki, our longest tenured Master Grooming Expert) and Pigmentation Repair Formula (highly recommended by respected Men's Skin Care Expert, Ms. Nikki Parker). View the entire new line by clicking here.
