Men are starting to pay closer attention to the things that make them smell good as well as what they use on their skin. A man is now more than his haircut or how he dresses. He is now the scent that he produces and the look of his skin when he walks into a room. In a world where women dominate the beauty industry, which products are good for men? The Quintessential Gentleman sat down with Michael Keirsey and Amerrah Brown owners of I AM.
QG: Tell us a little about yourself and what you were doing before starting your own Skin Care Line.
I AM: Well my partner and I are Entrepreneurs at heart. My Partner has her own Fragrance and Skin Care line for woman for over 15 years called Beautiful Amore (Amazing by the way) and I’m a Realtor so this is a passion for the both of us and look forward to building something that will last for generations
QG: What is I AM?
I AM: I AM is an All Natural Fragrance and Skin-Care Line for Men. There is nothing out there for Men. Our products are all hand made. We believe here at I AM that style and confidence starts with how you treat yourself. We want to encourage Men and young men to understand the importance of taking care of yourself and your skin. We have 5 scents available and 2 of those scents are unisex. With each scent you get a Bar Soap, Body Cream (Shea Butter which helps heal dry skin Eczema, Stretch marks and scarring), hair and body oil, the roll on fragrance oil, as well as Shave soap with face cream and shave brush. The idea is to help healing bad skin but also to have a consistent scent flow from the shower out into the world.
QG: Why did you get into skin care for men?
I AM: Well the truth is I have always had a thing for fragrances. I saw there was nothing out there for us and what I mean there is nothing out there for us, that covers all bases. See for us, we take a shower and the soap 9 out of 10 times is scented then we come out and put on lotion and that is scented then we put on cologne and pray it. It all gels. Well with us at I AM we have ALL Natural Bar Soap, Body Cream (Shea Butter *Major Key*), Body Oil and Roll On Fragrance ALL ONE SCENT!
QG: What are your Top 5 grooming tips for men?
I AM:
- Keep a fresh shave daily.
- Keep a fresh haircut.
- keep your feet and fingernails manicured.
- Moisturize your skin (men we need to take care of our skin too).
- SMELL GOOD. Get a nice fragrance that fits the occasion and you are ready for the world.
QG: Do you have special ingredients in your products that make it great for men?
I AM: Shea Butter Honey Lotion, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Jojoba Oil and Natural scents. These are good for everyone.
QG: Are there any brands that inspire you?
I AM: Honestly yes I’m a fan of fragrances BUT for me my true inspiration was my partner Amerrah and Beautiful Amore. Why? Because there is nothing out there for Men that cover all natural bar soap, body creams, body oils and fragrances. So we saw a lane and we are driving full steam!
QG: How was the transition into an industry that is mainly run by women?
I AM: Honestly we are still on the journey thus far people are loving us and feedback is humbling and we are very grateful God is good. This started as a conversation in November 2015 and we had a company up and running February 2016 so we are not even 4 months and we have online orders daily and our store is very busy. Glory to God!
QG: What advice would you give someone wanting to start a business in the beauty/health industry?
I AM: Just do it. That goes for any business. Do your research. Seek wise counsel and just go!!! Don’t wait for the perfect situation cause whatever you are working with is more than what you had. “Action cures fear, inaction creates terror” Douglas Horton.
QG: Where do you see your brand/products in 5 years?
I AM: We as a company see ourselves getting major distribution not just in the USA but Internationally. The goal is to build awareness not just for Men but young Men we want to help them to understand the importance of personal hygiene.
QG: Where can we find your products if we wanted to purchase them?
I AM: You can find us on location in Towson Center Mall in Maryland, on the 3rd Floor in front of Macy’s. You can also visit online at IAmScents4Life.com
