Small batch vs Big batch Companies! Pros & Cons

Small batch pro, some small batch companies will actually make you a 1 of 1 scent to try out. Big batch pro, if you have a specific scent you want, they are unlikely to be out of it when you want it.

Great video! I think one of the pros for big box that wasn’t mentioned is the presentation. An example of this is something as simple as the labels on the bottles. I’ve received small batch cowash that the label immediately starts changing colors and peeling because it isn’t water proof, or the color on the oil bottle comes off on your fingers if you get a little oil/water on it. Still a great product on the inside but just an observation.

I have had good and bad experiences with both small batch and big box companies. Though now i predominantly buy small batch i would in future be happy to buy from from a big box. The rebuy factor is ultimately how the scent is, the feel and what it does for my beard. That is the ultimate testament to any company big or small.

Hate is never the answer! The “radio song” analogy really works in this case.. I really enjoy the interaction with the company owners and I’ve gotten to build many friendships/relationships. ..There are truly lots of pro and cons on both sides. Thanks for the informative video my guy Dan C!

Nothing comes to mind you didn't talk about, although we may differ about detail and emphasis. One thing I missed is the point at which a Small Batch Company becomes Big Batch. They are not Public companies so we don't know their sales volume or net profit, nor should we. Overall, I've had better responses from large companies than from small, but that is skewed by only one company I had to press for an answer to a question about something on their website. My experience leads me to believe that if the owner or family of a large company is not directly involved in customer service they are directly aware of their customer service. As to participation in channels, etc., large companies were around before there were many beard channels, and their participation lives on in the videos and blogs they produced and may still produce. Add this to the matter of size: Except for Cremo, Pinaud/Clubman, and others who were big in Men's haircare, the biggest beard companies are likely small with regard to the market overall. I better stop now, I think I'm becoming incoherent.

Very well said Dan!! You pretty much covered everything. Love how you layed this out. Love your channel. I think it gets better and better! Great info 👏👏👊😎

You can have a good experience with a big company just as much as with a small company. The difference is the employee(s) of the company. PEOPLE make a company, not some board or management team. Support the people that treat you well, and provide good products.

I would love to try all companies but it will break my bank. My fear of any balms and oils is the scent. I have smelled ones that stink in my nose to ones that I want to buy. Thank you Dan C for another awesome video. This is one of the reasons why I always look forward to your next video because it’s things you don’t think of and it’s always so informative. Thank you sir. Please keep the vids coming.

Very well thought out analysis, my friend! One pro I can think of that probably pertains to both small batch and big box (but I’m going to gear mostly to the small batch) is that in most cases you can tell the passion that the owners put into their companies. For the most part, we as consumers just see the awesome end product, and the great customer service. I think there’s so much we don’t see. We don’t see the guy who is busting his tail working 8 or 12 or more hours at a full time job to support his family and then goes home and grinds at making products. We don’t see the guy putting labels on bottles at 3 am when he has to be back to work at 7. We don’t see the amount of test batches that are done to perfect the scent. We don’t see the going back to the drawing board when something fails. We don’t see the research that goes into making the product. My point...most of the guys aren’t getting rich doing this. They do it because they love it. That passion is what you’re really getting when beard mail arrives. Without that passion, they wouldn’t be in this game. My hats off, gentlemen!

“A large share of small businesses are young businesses. 51 percent of small businesses are 10 years old or less, and 32 percent of small businesses are 5 years old or less. Roughly a third of new businesses exit within their first two years, and half exit within their first five years.” J.P. Morgan Chase Institute

Quality competitively priced products and excellent customer service are keys to repeat customers and small company longevity. You don’t become a large company without surviving the above statistics.

Love this video man. I agree with you across the board here. These days every single community needs to have someone like you to spread this type of thinking. No matter what aspect of business/community/life you look at, this type of "hate" and negativity is always front and center. Theres no need for it and I think you made great points across the board as to why there shouldnt be. Whether its a massive million dollar company like beardbrand or a 50 bottle/tin batch company like so many I support it shouldnt matter. What should matter is how their products work for you. I am a supporter of Beardbrand all the way down to small companies who make custom orders for me and love them both. Id rather support the small guy, in most cases the money weighs more to them but that doesnt mean I have to stop supporting the big guy. Happy bearding!

I ordered from Fresh Beards, the buy one get one. He sent a follow up email. I said I heard their story here, Wife and 3yo daughter are the employees. I said I like that and wanted to patronize his business. They responded with a kind note. Makes it personal. BTW I ordered black light. It is currently my favorite.

Great balanced video! Thanks again and again! 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃

Big companies have more resources for R&D and can bring new products and innovations to market quicker and that can be a huge benefit to our community. If it weren't for the research done by the big companies, much of the knowledge small batch companies use would not be available. I think the benefits of different carrier and essential oils would be unknown when smaller batch companies select what to put in their oils and balms. If it were not for the scientific research that was done by the big cosmetic companies.

Great look into some big vs small balance, Dan! I can definitely see the merits in both, and a lot of 'em mirror what you've talked about.


To the small batch companies, a great "pro" is that sometimes you get a little unexpected surprise with your order - a sticker, a piece of Dubble Bubble - something off-invoice to help drive home that your business is appreciated. Plus - while bigger companies could have it too - it seems small batch will be more likely to have that sweet merch. I'm all for some free advertising if it means my giant head can be covered up with a beard company hat :)

Can't really think of anything else, you pretty much git the nail on the head! I have no bias towards either, I go based on if I like the scent and if the product itself has good reviews from a reviewer like you, whether is small batch or big batch, or even in or out of country. Also keep us updated on that Disney trip! I'm only a hour and a half out from Disney and it would be really awesome to do a meet and greet type thing in a public meeting space like Disney springs or something that would be free for people to go and meet you and whoever else is there, say hello, and have a good time.

Great video A+

I use luxurious bastard pretty much for my main company but a huge con is almost nothing is ever in stock. And then when it is it is sold out an hour after you get the email. So unless you are glued up your phone you will miss out. That is my experience at least. I have been trying to order co wash for 3 months. So I have to order at least 3 or 4 of whatever I need because I never know when I will be able to get it again.

Awsomen vid

I agree with all the pro's and con's for both spectrums. One pro for the big batch that wasn't covered was the fact that they carry a larger inventory. With the smaller batch companies they do go out of stock more often.

Man you've changed bro. We thought we knew you. :)

I happened upon Fresh Beards because a friend told me about beard butters but I had trouble finding a bay rum butter. Fresh Beards led me here because I wanted to see reviews on their product. Thought they were a big company until you told me different. Love the info you provide in your vids bro.

Well said

I like what I like big or small. I don’t pick sides.

Casey w, hit it right on, DanC test them if it is Command approved I buy

I by far own more small batch than large batch, but I agree with you 100%. This was a great topic to speak on Sir! The thing about large batch companies is that nearly 100% of the time their product is ready to be picked up or ordered online. They rarely go out of stock or have a need for presales. From an availability standpoint, I can appreciate that a lot. On the other hand, I also do not mind waiting for some of my favorite smaller batch companies to get product made and in stock. The important note is to be ready to buy when that time comes so you don’t miss out until the next batch ;)

Well said trusted teacher!! I use what I use and I don't care who makes it. I support small and big companies. My first major purchase was from a small company years and years ago. Guess what? They're a big company now (can you guess who?). I also support small companies too. My last 3 purchases have been from small batch companies. As long as companies (big and small) turn out good products I will purchase them.

Each and every company has their own little niche. Whether it's a product, a scent, something that tries and sets them apart. It could be their butter is whipped, it could be a certain carrier oil they use, it could be their balm is stronger than another, their wax is the strongest out there. That's why we buy them. That's why we support them. Everyone started some where, no such thing as an overnight success. Companies are companies (big and small), support who you support, but don't bad mouth others because of some personal feelings you have towards them. Remember they called Green Day a sellout.

The ONLY problem I have with companies (big or small) is when I have money, the product(s) I want are sold out. When I don't have the money, products are in stock.

I've always gravitated towards small batch only because of the intimacy of the experience, but as long as a product is good why discriminate? If the quality is there who cares how big or small the company is? Not to mention a lot of these small batch companies we have come to know and love could very well become huge. That's not stopping me from supporting them as long as the products stay on point!

Great info Dan thanks for sharing, I’ve used both small batch and large batch beard company’s and all of them definitely have pros and cons like you’ve stated. No hate towards any, I use what I like.

A pro for me is seeing a company like Chesapeake (Gary) directly give back to the community. I like both but being able to see stuff like that with everything Gary does for people is amazing. I’m not saying big companies do not do that, but I’ve seen it right away with Chesapeake.

One of the things I like the most about small batch companies is the art work on their products.

Great video Dan! I can't think of anything else right now, seems that you and your awesome viewers pretty much covered everything!

Hey dan! Love the content brother... check out Texas Beard Company you won’t be disappointed

Awesome video brother and good to hear you guys are going to be going to disney land, Cheers.

I think that a “pro” to a small batch company is that they may make and release some unique scents that a big batch company might be hesitant to make.

Enjoyed your insight into the industry.

I appreciate both small and large. I would say small batch are willing to take more risks on more unique scents, whereas large batch need to appeal more to the masses. One issue I think alot of us experience with small batch is the availability of product. But I do appreciate the one on one interaction with the person making the product and putting the love into it.

You didn’t mention Cremo which is at Walmart. They’re the most affordable products I’ve ever found with amazing ingredients. Their products work just as good as small batch companies which I’ve found to actually be more expensive.

Awesome shirt. Received it so quick!!

Great video Dan 👌 I will support large and small companies based on the quality, price and availability of their product. I am saddened by the immature behaviour and will no longer purchase from one particular company because of such behaviour.

I love how integrated and accessible to the local and wider bearded community, the small companies are. I am also humbled by how much they give back to the disadvantaged with charitable donations or targeted campaigns.

I love how passionate and hard working the 'one man band' companies are and how readily I have been able to form a genuine friendship with many of their owners.

My hope is that these amazing small companies will eventually become large companies! 👊

I missed my thumbs up on this video😮 Don't worry it won't happen again.

Life is to short to hate a Company big or small. I only tried 3 bearded companies one is in my home town Ohio Valley Beard Supply. The 2 orthers are badass bared care and Live Bearded. Love all 3

Small batch encourages creativity and entrepreneurship

very well said good class

I have gone for a small batch company for my first bear brand to get behind in my new beard journey, been nice to have the direct contact with the owner. I did buy some large besrd brand to just get me started, which I think is a pro for big batch as I got a very good price to make a start in my besrd journey. But I'm now looking forward to support a small batch company im curious to see how the consistency of each batch of product goes bekng small bacth.

Thanks trusted teacher!

In my daily rotation I own 2 from small family run businesses and 1 from a big batch company.

One point that you didn't mention is accessibility of the products. Bigger batch brands are usually easier to find around the world. Unfortunately, a lot of the products you recommended in your videos, I can't get them in Canada, or at least at a reasonable price. For example, I wanted to try Beard Octane, but it would cost minimum $22 to ship just a bottle of beard oil, costing more than the product itself. Unfortunately, this is a deal breaker for me, and it's not the company's fault. I could, on the other hand, order Honest Amish on Amazon with free shipping(love their premium beard oil so far, although I'm not fan of the scent but it's still okay). I'd have to try some local products, but it also comes with risks as it's hard to find reviews from knowledgeable people in order to know if the product is good or not before buying

Great points and information Dan! The radio theory is such a good way to put it. In the metal community their is a lot of gate keeping, and hate, when bands start to get more popular. It is absolutely ridiculous to me. I love when more people get to experience something awesome that sounds amazing. Why would you not want that is beyond me. The gate keeping is also so silly about people not being "in" or if they don't know enough about a certain topic.