Dollar Shave Club: Michael Dubin, From Zero to a Billion Dollar Exit in Five Years (December 2018)

It started with a massive pile of razors sitting in a Rancho Cucomonga warehouse, and Michael Dubin’s chance meeting of the man who wanted to get rid of them. In 2010, Michael was working in marketing in Los Angeles, producing online video content. As a hobby, Michael took improv comedy classes. At a holiday party, he met a man named Mark Levine. Mark was looking for ideas to sell razors he had imported, but didn’t know how to unload. Michael’s background in video and comedy helped him create a viral launch video for his spontaneous idea: an internet razor subscription brand called Dollar Shave Club. Five years after launching, Dollar Shave Club sold to consumer products behemoth Unilever for a reported $1 billion in cash. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience in Los Angeles. What you’ll learn:How Michael’s early career at NBC in New York exposed him to a world of video production - and comedyThe fateful party where Michael had to decide whether to start a company to sell razors - or to sell cake slicersHow Michael’s gut feeling was that shaving was a sector that could use disruption - even though it meant facing down daunting incumbent players like GilletteMichael’s viral launch video was so good, it brought investors on boardHow to DIY fulfillment to keep an overnight success on trackHow expanding their offerings into other men’s grooming products caught the attention of Unilever and led to an acquisition offer Listen now to hear the amazing backstory of one of the best-known early DTC brands. ------------ Hey—want to be a guest on HIBT? If you’re building a business, why not get advice from some of the greatest entrepreneurs on Earth? Every Thursday on the HIBT Advice Line, a previous HIBT guest helps new entrepreneurs work through the challenges they’re facing right now. Advice that’s smart, actionable, and absolutely free. Just call 1-800-433-1298, leave a message, and you may soon get guidance from someone who started where you did, and went on to build something massive. So—give us a call. We can’t wait to hear what you’re working on. —----------- This episode was produced by Casey Herman with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei.©2026 Guy Raz | Wondery (P)2026 Guy Raz | Wondery