“Celebrating Entrepreneurs Through YLAI” — Interview with Joshua Esnard
SLUDTERA’s second episode of the program featured St. Lucia’s own Joshua Nickev Esnard. The feature aired on Facebook on November 29th 2017, as part of the observance of St. Lucia Business Month, under the theme: “Promoting an Entrepreneurial Culture — Innovation & Creativity”.
Joshua Esnard is an inventor who knows all about failing forward. Born in Saint Lucia, raised in Ithaca New York, and being an only child for 17 years forced him be innovative and creative with his time. The Cut Buddy was a tool he created out of necessity when he was just thirteen (13) years old. The tool is the first multi-curve grooming tool used to shape hair and beards. Who would have known a childhood life hack would lead to be a Best Seller on Amazon and be featured on Forbes, GQ, NPR How I Built This, Black Enterprise, and Shark Tank?
What is the name of your company and what type of service do you provide?
The Cut Buddy LLC is the patent owner to the worlds first multiple curve hair and beard shaping guide.
What problem is your company solving and how many people have you helped since being launched?
Many people have trouble shaping their hairlines and we eliminate most of the hassle and error. We have helped over 70,000 gain confidence in cutting hair.
Did you receive any support when you first made your idea known? If so, who supported you? If not, how did you handle that?
My fiance, a few family members and my partners were the biggest supporters. I must say that the product idea and concept was not received well at first. We lost many pitch competitions and many people made fun of our product. This did not stop the sales from coming in. People who hate on your product are generally admirers with things going on in the background. We try to handle haters as professionally as possible unless they are bullying.
How long was it before you experienced your first level of success?
We launched the business in January 2016 and our sales blew up late February 2016. It was about 3 months before we began getting a good deal of sales. The world had never seen something like our product, so naturally many were interested.
What challenges did you face when starting your business?
No capital, a lot of back lash, and I (Joshua Esnard) was balding.
What was your biggest goal when deciding to become an Entrepreneur full time?
We actually wrote major goals on our board. Partner up with Daymond John and do a big licensing deal. These were fantasy goals. It is amazing to see both come true after 2 years.
You recently appeared on Shark Tank. How did you come to be on the show and what was that experience like?
Yes, we aired on shark tank on November 12th 2017. Most people have to try out for the show through various channels like auditions. Our company was buzzing really big and we were contacted by an executive producer. After expressing our interest, we had to go through rigorous preparation for many months. The show brings out all the emotions in a human. You are happy, angry, nervous, etc… at the same time. You just have to make sure you are prepared and most importantly, you have to make sure you are 100% you. The sharks can smell if you are not being genuine.
What are 5 tips that you would give to the next generation of Entrepreneurs?
- There will be resistance. How you deal with the resistance will define your business.
- Don’t be afraid to be a pioneer. Going with what works and what is already out there, will only keep you in the competition.
- Patents keep you in front of the competition. Mechanical engineering and design are critical to understand.
- Always remember the power-of-broke mentality. Read as many free resources as you can to develop yourself.
- Don’t forget where you are from and who was with you before things took off.
Do you plan on doing anything back in your birth country to encourage young persons to pursue their dreams of becoming Entrepreneurs? What do you have in mind?
I plan on doing some mentoring and some scholarships in the future. Looking forward to working with SLUDTERA on a limited mentoring capacity. If I can help get our youth on the right track, then St Lucia can inch closer to being the leading innovation hub of the world. I have set this goal in my head for St. Lucia because I believe it is very possible. If we have had two Nobel Prize Winners from small country…. we can do anything.
How do you plan to celebrate or observe Global Entrepreneurship Week in your birth country in the near future?
I am based in USA right now, but would love to attend one in the future when time allows. In the mean time I will provide as much mentoring as I can.
Some great news for St. Lucians
Joshua Esnard has recently registered to be a mentor as part of the Entrepreneurship Readiness Program. The program is slated to commence in January 2018. Registration will open at the end of December 2017. The program comprises, workshops, seminars, webinars, classes, events, competitions, and more. This program is for 3rd, 4th and 5th Form students in Secondary Schools, Students in tertiary level institutions who have not yet graduated and adult entrepreneurs age 21 years and up with startups, who are looking for the next step. The facilitators will include; Educators, Innovators, Accomplished Entrepreneurs, Business Professionals, YLAI Cohort, Representatives of key Stakeholders. More information about the program dates and times will be announced in the next coming weeks.
Watch Joshua’s video interview below. Watch Joshua’s appearance on Shark Tank here.
If you are interested in learning more about and ordering The Cut Buddy, click here, and be sure to like the Facebook page to keep up to date with any new products which may emerge in the near future.
The Management of SLUDTERA would like to thank Joshua for agreeing to do this interview and we look forward to him working with us on the Entrepreneurship Readiness Program.
