Ep. 13 From Homemade Beginnings to a High-Profile Sale with Eric Malka
In this episode of the Legacy Branding Podcast, host Laura Beauparlant welcomes Eric Malka, co-founder and former CEO of The Art of Shaving, a brand that transformed the luxury men’s grooming industry. Eric shares the story of how he and his wife turned a small apartment kitchen into the birthplace of an iconic global brand, ultimately acquired by Procter & Gamble.
From navigating the challenges of scaling a business to the pivotal lessons of grit, timing, and execution, Eric offers a candid look into the journey of building a legacy. He also shares his transition from running a global company to mentoring entrepreneurs and investing in early-stage businesses through Strategic Brand Investments.
Tune in for actionable insights on brand building, leadership, and the entrepreneurial mindset, and learn how Eric’s story can inspire you to create a lasting legacy of your own.
-
Eric Malka is an entrepreneur, brand builder, investor, and published author with more than 30 years’ experience in Luxury Consumer Goods.
As co-founder and former CEO of The Art of Shaving, he is a pioneer of the luxury men’s grooming industry, leading the company from startup to international expansion.
In 2009, The Art of Shaving was acquired by Gillette/Procter & Gamble – Eric was tapped by P&G to continue in his role as CEO through the end of 2010. In 2014, he established Strategic Brand Investments; a private equity fund specialized in helping early-stage entrepreneurs develop iconic brands and grow businesses.
-
00:00 The Explosive Start
00:10 Introduction to the Legacy Branding Podcast
00:47 Meet Eric Malka: The Journey Begins
01:27 The Birth of The Art of Shaving
02:44 From Small Shop to International Success
02:57 Secrets to Growth and Execution
04:51 The Turning Point: New York Times Feature
06:49 Scaling Up: From Retail to Wholesale
07:32 Riding the Metrosexual Wave
08:58 Pivoting to a Scalable Retail Concept
10:41 Lessons in Grit and Prudence
15:13 The Importance of Company Culture
16:59 Customer First: The Pillar of Success
17:23 The Big Payoff: Selling to Procter & Gamble
18:05 Facing the M&A Experts
19:06 The Financial Crisis Hits
19:38 From Bankruptcy to Selling the Business
21:03 Life After the Exit
22:02 Focusing on Health and Family
24:25 Becoming an Investor
26:22 Strategic Brand Investments
29:51 Defining Legacy
30:48 Conclusion and Farewell