A shaving and beard care product line, Like Grandpa Grooming Products is handmade in Edmonton with all-natural ingredients. We spoke with one of the cofounders about how their hobby turned into a small local business with tremendous community support. Meet Ken Kaminski-Raab…
How did this passion evolve into a business?
It came about when we were giving our products away to friends. When the feedback came back that it was performing excellent and fixing a lot of issues they were having with their shave or beard, we knew we had to develop it further and bring it to market. And scratching that itch is how we determine what products are coming next.
What is the best part about running this type of business?
It is the interaction with our customers and hearing that our product has made a positive impact. It is always amazing to hear that people love the product you spend so much time developing and that they cannot live without it.
What’s the secret to a good shave?
On the prairies, a good place to start is skincare. With little humidity here, adding a little extra skincare into your routine can often be the difference between irritation and problem-free shaving. From there, traditional shaving tools like safety razors and quality products can be a game-changer.
What advice do you give people looking to pick up a gift for someone else?
Take a peek in their cabinet and see what products they are currently using and listen to what they complain about. Those two pieces will usually give you an idea of where to start—or simply just pay attention if they are bearded or shaving.
Where can people pick up your products?
You can find us every Saturday at the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market, where we love to chat and answer your questions personally. We have stockists around town like Kent of Inglewood and Barber Ha, and, of course, online works too.
