When Eric Malka co-founded The Art of Shaving, he wasn’t just launching a brand—he was reshaping an entire industry. With a relentless drive and a deep belief in natural skincare, he built one of the most recognizable luxury grooming brands, ultimately selling it to Procter & Gamble. But after achieving his dream and reaching the pinnacle of success, Eric made a surprising decision: he walked away.

Despite building a billion-dollar company, he found himself anxious, unfulfilled, and questioning everything. He realized that success alone didn’t guarantee happiness—and that real fulfillment required something deeper.

Before the interview I had the chance to read his new book, On The Razor’s Edge: The Story of The Art of Shaving. Eric shares how he transformed from a young entrepreneur with something to prove into a seasoned investor helping the next generation of founders.

This is very unlike every other big brand name interview. So many of his responses surprised me and some of my favorite moments include:

How a chip on his shoulder fueled his success (and why self-doubt can be a powerful motivator)
Why visionary founders struggle with execution—and how to find the right balance
The truth about entrepreneurial luck—and how to increase your odds of finding it
How to overcome overthinking
What most investors get wrong about backing early-stage entrepreneurs
How he helps founders today—not as a consultant, but as a partner

Eric doesn’t just talk about success; he talks about what comes after—the anxieties, the realizations, and the hard choices that most entrepreneurs don’t see coming. This is a must-listen for anyone building a business, navigating ambition, or questioning what success really means.

Key Takeaways:

Turn the chip on your shoulder into motivation—most high achievers are driven by something to prove.
Luck favors the proactive—and half of business is about luck.
Entrepreneurial vision is valuable, but execution is everything.
Overthinking kills progress—focus on the next decision, not the entire roadmap.
Grit + prudence = the formula for long-term success—persistence alone isn’t enough; smart decision-making matters just as much.
Success comes with trade-offs—ambition has a cost, and knowing what you actually want is key.
Wellness isn’t a luxury—it’s a foundation for high performance in both business and life.
The beauty industry runs on petrochemicals—if you care about your health, check your ingredients.
Most investors focus too much on the product and not enough on the founder—resilience and adaptability are what make a business work.
The best entrepreneurs don’t do it alone—having the right partners can make or break a business.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

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