On the Razor’s Edge: Eric Malka on Brand Integrity, Grit & the Intangibles Behind The Art of Shaving

What drives a first-generation immigrant with no college degree and no legal status to build a luxury brand from scratch—and sell it to Procter & Gamble in under 15 years?

In this episode of Intangify, host Matthew Asbell sits down with Eric Malka, co-founder of The Art of Shaving and founder of Strategic Brand Investments. From humble beginnings to a $100M+ exit, Eric shares the real story behind his entrepreneurial journey—including failure, resilience, and the intangible forces that build lasting brands.

Now an investor and mentor to founders in luxury, beauty, and men’s grooming, Eric offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how success is made—and protected.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why his biggest failure became the key to his breakout success
• How a $12K car sale and a chip on his shoulder launched The Art of Shaving
• The critical role of culture, grit, and brand DNA in scaling and selling a company
• Why IP and intangible assets were the real value in the P&G acquisition
• Eric’s investment philosophy—and how he now “coaches from the owner’s box”

🔗 Learn more about Eric’s ventures: StrategicBrandInvestments.com
📘 Read his memoir: On the Razor’s Edge: The Story of The Art of Shaving
📍Featured brand: Barberino’s NYC

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/matthew-asbell