The Shaving Niche

One one end: The Art of Shaving, a high end line of shaving products sold through its own boutiques and luxury department stores. On the other end: the Dollar Shave Club, an online service that for as little as $1 a month sends you quality replacement blades direct to your door.

Either by creating the ultimate shaving experience or by taking the edge (no pun intended) out of the process of buying (and remembering to buy) shaving blades, these two companies are thriving in a crowded space.

More often than not, statements like "there's no money to be made in X, Y, or Z business" or "there is way too much competition" are true only IF we are talking about the mass market. Yes, competing head-on against Gillette or Schick is tough and almost impossible for a small business, but who says we have to compete head-on?

What are the neglected niches in your space? Can you claim one of them and build a business around it instead of trying to beat the big guys at their own game?

P.S. The Art of Shaving's success didn't go unnoticed, by the way. They were acquired in 2009 by Procter & Gamble.

By Mario SC