Next up is the owner Merry Band Beard Oil – Etsy shop
Name: Tom Rowlinson
Age: 33
Brand name: Merry Band Beard Oil
Where do you live? Bingley
Why did you choose that name for your brand? I have an art website called Merry Band Of Plague Doctors and the name came from that. The site has been left alone for a while and needs work but Plague Doctors were featuring quite a lot in my drawings & paintings at the time that I set it up.
When did you first start making beard care products? 2014
What is your favourite thing about making and selling beard care products? I like everything about the product development equally from selecting & blending the oils to designing the labels.
What do you dislike about making and selling beard care? Waiting for safety assessments.
How many hours do you normally spend making beard care in a week? It’s impossible to say as some times are much busier than others.
Where do you make the beard care products? I have a designated desk area for the oil making & the balms are made on the hob after cleaning the entire area.
What is your favourite product from your brand? Probably Rustic Charm Oil & Balm but it’s hard to say.
What one other beard care brand or brand owner do you admire? I’ve not tried many products although I see from these groups that there are some very hard-working & passionate people who make excellent products. I have tried Rhian’s Balbo Beard Soap & Magpie Hill Soaps & I’m a massive fan of those. Before I started making my products I used Wild Man Beard Conditioner. That was the first beard oil I ever used.
What plans do you have for the brand? I’ve currently got a few ideas and I’m deciding what to go with.
What are your hobbies? Drawing, Hiking, Listing to music, Buying CD’s, Homebrewing (not so much lately) & Cooking.
Are you married/in a relationship? I’m not.
What motivates you? A drive to work for myself & to make good honest products!
What are your strengths? Relentlessness & Determination
What are your weaknesses? Too many to mention!
When was the last time you were angry? What happened? I try not to get angry too much but been known to smash a cup or plate occasionally.
If you weren’t making beard care what would you want to do for a job? Something design related or another type of small batch honest production.
What were you like in high school? Badly behaved.
Do you talk much? Sometimes
Are you introvert or extrovert? Both.
How do you handle stress and pressure? Sometimes well sometimes not so well depends the type.
What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done? Hmmmm
What’s the best holiday you can imagine? Snowboarding but also having an amazing chalet to stay in. I almost put snowboarding as a hobby but I’ve only been twice so it’s really a hobby I wish I had.
What is your favourite food? Curry of the North Indian/Pakistani style found in & around Bradford.
What is your favourite alcoholic drink? Belgian Beers followed closely by really good hand pulled ales.
What is your most proud achievement? I’m equally proud of my beard brand, my degree & the fact that I’ve sold a lot of things that I’ve made/designed.
If you could be an animal, what would you be? Maybe an Eagle. Can I change back though?
What is/are your phobias? I’m not too keen on medium or large moths.