Nick May, the founder of the SHAV shower bar corporation, is a finalist for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, which will be presented at the 2013 Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAAs) on November 20th in Toronto.
Sponsored by Ontario’s Network of Chambers of Commerce, goes to a young Ontario entrepreneur who has successfully built a unique and game-changing venture.
May has developed a new product called REMAY that makes the daily routine of shaving more convenient. How? By transforming ‘shaving cream’ into a ‘soft gel bar’ that is activated when it comes in contact with water. The REMAY shaving gel bar is applied as you would a stick deodorant. It results in a simpler, quicker and cleaner shaving experience.
Despite having to compete with many larger, more established market competitors, REMAY shaving gel is a huge hit with consumers.
The story of this company begins with its founder’s fascination with chemistry. While studying at Carleton University in Ottawa, Nick May became certain that he could develop a superior shaving product to those that were on the market.
Months of experimentation in his home-based lab, aka the family kitchen, resulted in an “ah-ha” moment for May. He immediately set to work securing a manufacturer and developing a marketing strategy for his product. By spring 2012 he was pilot testing REMAY. Shortly thereafter, May and his innovative product were making headlines and winning student business competitions.
Currently, REMAY has 70 retail outlets across Canada and is co-located in the ELP incubator space in Ottawa. The product is made in Canada by an FDA approved and GMP compliant manufacturer. He is hiring employees and investing in R&D and product development.
The OCC is pleased to recognize this great Ontario business. Book your table today and find out which Ontario companies will shine in the 2013 OBAA spotlight.
We interviewed Nick May, founder of REMAY, about his game-changing business .
Tell us about why REMAY deserves to win an OBAA?
Anyone who launches a business, with all the risk and uncertainty that it entails, deserves recognition for their entrepreneurship. Perhaps I distinguish myself from all the other deserving candidates by entering a market that is usually the purview of much bigger players. Shaving is a very large industry, and creating a new category in the market can be game changing.
What advice do you have for businesses that want to succeed in Ontario?
Ontario has a wide range of programs that help entrepreneurs achieve their dreams. Some of these programs are designed to help reduce development costs for promising technologies, such as the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE). Budding entrepreneurs should make themselves aware of the support and mentoring that is available to them through business incubators across Ontario such as Invest Ottawa. Students should enter business competitions in their universities such as ENACTUS to help them network with other entrepreneurs.
In your experience, what are the key success factors for organizations in your industry?
The use of social and mainstream media can help to overcome the financial strain of advertising for product recognition. Developing strong relationships with your business partners is very important. In the end, your business partners are entrepreneurs like yourself.
In five years from now, where do you envision REMAY?
Five years from now, I fully expect to have my product available internationally. I will also be launching other related shaving products. I have found that as you focus your mind on one particular product, it leads to spin off ideas that may be equally viable business opportunities.
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