Tell us about your path to what you’re doing now; how did you start Mr. Browns Shaving Company? What is your background?

My professional education includes graduate degrees in applied arts, ceramics, and product design. Various life segments include jewelry design, ceramics as an artisan potter, cutlery design and manufacturing, original-design wet shaving gear products, and a lifetime of being an obsessed maker of objects, original in design, in a myriad of materials and processes. Seeking knowledge and learning a related, specific skill are requirements. They lead to the reward of accomplishment in going forward with my personal creativity. My past creative obsessions include: photography, jewelry making, ceramics, handmade brushes, making cutlery, and now, my shaving tools adventure.

How has your style developed as you’ve grown?

I would say my work has evolved within each category of making specific objects, gaining skills using tools, and learning about new materials with each piece of knowledge contributing to my next project or venture.

I can identify three shifts in my style and medium choices:
01. Switching from ceramics to handmade brushes (including shaving brushes), because I was using the brushes to decorate my ceramics (through over-glazing) and I couldn’t find any brushes that were suitable to use. So I made my own!
02. Moving to Texada ended my ceramics phase because there wasn’t as large of a market for ceramics, which caused me to shift to handmade cutlery.
03. Moving to Vancouver Island caused a shift from cutlery to shaving because of space and equipment considerations. I wanted to develop a line of shaving gear because it was a new challenge, and I knew I could do it because I had made brushes in the past. It seemed like an ideal market for repurposing and reusing materials. Using a longer-lasting blade is more sustainable and eco-friendly. With my original design of shaving gear, every component relates to and complements every other component.

When did the idea of starting your business feel like something you could achieve? Was there an “aha!” moment?

It started with making brushes many years ago to decorate my ceramics. Following this, I made shaving brushes with turned wood handles, bone, and metal. Several years ago I decided to take a new direction and began the design and making of wet shaving tools.

The ability to participate in local shows and retail spaces contributed to my motivation to grow the business, sell at stores, and develop an online presence.

If you weren’t running Mr. Browns Shaving Company, what would you be doing?

I would be designing and making other product prototypes. I’d also keep expanding my shaving gear line, constantly improving each product and tweaking elements here and there. The new ideas just kind of come out of nowhere and pop into my head, which leads to new product lines and ventures.

Does your process come pretty naturally or do you find yourself fighting against creative block at times?

It is a challenge to always be “on” in the moment and move forward. If progress is futile, I wait until another day. I reinvigorate myself for the next day by reading and seeking inspiration from outside sources, such as design sites and style magazines. I look outward for inspiration to refuel, in addition to rest, walking, sleep, and trips downtown.

What advice would you give to someone who is starting out?

Talk to as many artisans as possible that are working and making a living using the same materials and process. Become an apprentice to a highly skilled and knowledgeable person, and begin learning and developing necessary advanced skills to quickly achieve your goals.

I have become the craftsman I am today from almost entirely self-taught methods. I was a student of a few very talented professors in ceramics who taught me about form and design. This knowledge influenced everything that followed. For example: a ceramics shape can influence the shape of a lather bowl or a brush handle. Even my metal bowls mimic pottery forms.

Every media that I have taken on after ceramics has been influenced by the craft of ceramics—even woodturning brushes, or the design of shaving razor handles. My ceramics background has also influenced the importance I place on the weight and balance of my shaving equipment. The feel of something is so important; the tactile nature, balance, surface, weight, and texture.

Outline the 3 greatest attributes you need to be a maker and small business owner:

01. Motivation. Take course and be motivated in starting and running a small business.

02. Lifelong learning. Learn all you can about marketing products. It is the most important distinguisher between a successful business and a hobby.    

03. Sales knowledge. Know you are just creating unsold inventory until you have success in sales. I sold my first piece in the 70s at a street art fair in Vancouver...hence my business began!