Myriam Zaoui and Eric Malka are the founders of The Art of Shaving.
When they met in Miami, Miriam was only 19 and Eric 26. Myriam, with a background in the spa industry, had a love for skin care and cosmetics. Eric, with a background in business, had a true entrepreneurial spirit. Looking for new opportunities, he moved to New York City in 1995, where Myriam began studying Oriental medicine and aromatherapy, and Eric joined a small company of European distribution of cleaning products for men.
Like most men, Eric had sensitive skin. One day in the kitchen of their apartment in Manhattan, Miriam decided to make a special oil for him to use before shaving, a combination of botanical ingredients and pure essential oils. The next morning, Eric applied this pre-shave protective oil before shaving. From the first stroke of the razor, he can feel the blade sliding on his face. The result is a new concept of shaving.
Eager to share their new pre-shave oil, but without money to invest, they decided to sell their cars for $ 12,000 and use the proceeds to open a store, and during the autumn of 1996, the first shop The Art of Shaving has opened its doors on a side street in Manhattan. Six months later, something extraordinary happened: the New York Times devotes a full page article to a small shop. The answer was surprising: new customers flock to the store.
Wanting to continue on this road, they opened a second store on Madison Avenue and developed a full line of natural shaving products. Soon the two become experts, and in 2002, Random House published their book in hardcover, The Art of Shaving.
They continued to refine the science as well as the art of shaving, to reach their goal. "The 4 Elements of the perfect shave”, a new shaving system, was launched.
The Art of Shaving has become the best-selling brand of men in high-end department stores. Their stores can be found in 17 locations around the country, with 10 openings planned for 2007.
The Art of Shaving was started in a kitchen. Today the company is a worldwide organization still fueled by talent and passion of the founders. They have managed to create a brand with a mission, one that promises to be a household name for generations to come. |