Starting Nomad Theory: How It All Began

It all started with a bad shave.

For years, my morning routine was a battle I was constantly losing. I was fighting against irritation, ingrown hairs, and the inevitable nicks that followed every shave. You know the classic image of a man with tiny pieces of toilet paper stuck to his face? That was my reality far too often. Shaving wasn't a satisfying ritual; it was a dreaded chore.

About a year and a half ago, I hit my limit. I decided there had to be a better way. My research led me down the rabbit hole and into the timeless art of wet shaving. It was a complete revelation. Suddenly, shaving transformed from a task I avoided into a moment of quiet focus and relaxation—a truly meditative practice I began to look forward to. I was hooked.

But my path to actually creating Nomad Theory began with something else: admiration.

I started exploring the incredible world of artisan soap and perfume makers online. I was fascinated by their skill and the clear passion they poured into their work. These were people truly dedicated to their craft. Appreciating their products and learning about their dedication sparked something more than just interest; it planted a seed of 'what if' in my own mind. I started thinking about scents I personally wished existed, unique combinations that I couldn't find anywhere else.

That gentle nudge of curiosity, born from appreciating the work of others, set me down this unexpected road.

Realizing those scent ideas, however, required a crucial first step. Before I could create the scents, I needed a canvas... I needed to learn how to actually make soap!

So, I dove in headfirst. My first attempts were... well, let's call them humble learning experiences! But I was incredibly excited and eager to share my newfound (and very amateur) craft. Taking a deep breath, I posted pictures of my very first batch on a Reddit shaving community forum.

The response genuinely blew me away. I expected constructive criticism (and frankly, my lumpy first batch deserved it!), but what I received was an overwhelming wave of encouragement and kindness. People were incredibly supportive, and some even asked if they could try it. I even got a message of support from a well-established artisan soap maker whose work I admired.

That was the push I needed.

That positive feedback fuelled me to keep going. I tinkered, I refined, I obsessed over different ingredients, chased the perfect slick and protective lather, and tweaked the formulas. Slowly, batch by batch, things started to improve. Eventually, I reached a point where I held a bar of soap and thought, "Okay, this might actually be good enough to share properly."

I sent out some of those more refined batches to the kind folks who had shown interest, holding my breath for their honest opinions. When the feedback came back positive, when people said they genuinely loved using it... that feeling was incredible. It felt like the natural next step, albeit a daunting one, was to see if others might want to buy it.

And just like that, Nomad Theory was born. It started with a simple idea: to make some truly great shaving soaps and aftershaves that people would genuinely look forward to using, with scents that offered something a little different.

This journey hasn't been a solo one. My lovely wife, Jessica, has been an incredible partner, lending her amazing talent and vision to help shape the branding and aesthetic of Nomad Theory.

We know the world of artisan shaving is full of incredibly talented people and fantastic products. It's a competitive space! But I've always believed in the philosophy of 'making the pie larger' rather than just trying to grab someone else's slice. There's so much passion and creativity out there, and we hope there's room for Nomad Theory to add its own unique flavour to the mix.

So, that's our origin story. It's built on personal frustration, fuelled by curiosity, encouraged by community, and driven by a simple desire to create something good that people will love. We're still learning and growing, but we're incredibly hopeful and excited about this adventure.

We hope you'll join us.