Okay, let's get this straight... so there really is a Pomade out there that caters to the surfing lifestyle. Why a pomade if you are going to be going into the ocean anyway? Whats the point..? Read more from this interview we had with owner Chase of BYRD Hairdo products.
1. Where are you located?
We originated in Newport Beach but are now based out of Culver City, CA
2. When did you start this business?
November 2012
3. When did you realize that this is what you wanted to pursue?
Being from Newport, the hub of surf culture, I grew up surfing as an amateur and now professionally with Quicksilver. You could presume that a surfer starting a men’s hair care line with nothing to do in the cosmetics industry is obscure. Having your own look and style and paying attention to your appearance were traits bred in me. In the early stages of high school my friend introduced me to Murray’s and I was hooked on pomades ever since. I feel like things just fell into place after that. Between my surfing career and business, I keep myself busy. It’s a pretty rad thing when work doesn't really feel like work.
4. Describe a few steps you took to make this happen.
There was never a pomade I loved that catered to my everyday surfing lifestyle being in & out of the ocean. Murray’s take weeks to wash out and all others would sting my eyes and fluff my hair. I wanted a great all around pomade that I could throw in, go surf and come out with the same salty slick. I started making home batches of pomade with melted down beeswax and essential oils in crock pot. After all those failed, I researched a team of chemists to work with on the first Byrd pomade samples. After some months of testing, the idea realized and BYRD Hairdo Products was born.
5. How would you deal with a customer who didn't know what they wanted?
The Byrd customer is confident in their style but if they were having trouble deciding on a product, we’d point them in the right direction.
6. What are some of your accomplishments as a business?
The Byrd flock has come a long way in a year and 5 months. The latest project in the works is our addition to the pomade collection. Our Matte and Light pomades are soon to launch this summer and we are fired up about them.
7. What do you believe makes a quality product?
You can spend months perfecting details and packaging which are a huge part of positioning your product but when it comes from you, that’s what makes it special.
8. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Surf culture, fashion, traveling around the globe.
9. What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Attitude is everything. There’s a quote from Benjamin Franklin I read whenever I’m in a rut. “I didn’t fail the test. I just found 100 ways to do it wrong. “ Maybe attempt #101 will succeed.
10. So you have a Barbershop, eh?
Yes, we have a barbershop here at our office in Culver City but its only operational during the Slick Saturday events we have.
11. What is Slick Saturday?
Byrds presents Slick Saturdays once a month at our creative space/ office/ barbershop/ home in Culver City. We provide fine cocktails and fresh cuts to all our friends and fans of Byrd.
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12. Where can readers find out more about you and your work? Website: byrdhair.com Instagram: @byrdhair Facebook: facebook.com/ByrdHair byrdhair.tumblr.com Byrd Products:
Shop at www.pomades.com
LOOK SLICK BY BYRD from Jon Hechtkopf on Vimeo.
Look out for their new product line launching in a few months!
