Furry Hippie Beard Company: Beard essentials for a healthy and groovy beard
- KLS
- 12 minutes ago
- 6 min read
For the 227th feature of our "Together Talks" campaign, we collaborated with Furry Hippie Beard Company and Founder, Jason Askins. Hello from Huntsville, Alabama, home base for Furry Hippie Beard Company. I'm Jason Askins, the founder, and this business kicked off in 2019 in the most down-to-earth way: in my garage. I was experimenting with beard oils, blending natural ingredients like jojoba and argan to create something simple and effective for everyday guys like me. Starting small, I sold my first line at a friend's barber shop, and it grew through local events and markets.
The name "Furry Hippie" has a special origin. My kid brother, Chase, called me a hippie because of my long hair and furry beard. It was his playful teasing that stuck with me. Years before launching the company, we tragically lost Chase to DIPG, a rare form of childhood brain cancer in 2012. The nickname he chose for me became the perfect inspiration for the brand, capturing that lighthearted spirit.
"Together Talks" feature # 227: Furry Hippie Beard Company presented by KLS - Your Trusted Shipping Solutions In The USA
What have you learned since becoming an entrepreneur? What aspect of entrepreneurship do you appreciate the most? Do you have a moment that brings you the most joy?
Story of how it was created?
It starts with my little brother, Chase. He was diagnosed with DIPG, which is an inoperable brain stem tumor. He was only 10 years old when he passed away back in 2012. Shortly after, I hosted a benefit in his name. At the time, the goal was simply to help my family stay afloat and pay the medical bills that had piled up.
Seeing that benefit succeed sparked something in me. It left me wondering how I could keep that momentum going to help other families and spread awareness about children's cancer on a larger scale. A few years later, that mission evolved into the Furry Hippie Beard Company.
The path to the business actually started when I joined a group called Bearded Villains. That was my first real introduction to beard products. Before then, I’d barely even heard of them. Once I started using them, I realized how much they helped maintain my beard and stop the itching. As I discovered different companies, I thought, I can do this. I realized I had the perfect reason to start a business: a way to consistently raise money and give back to children’s cancer research.
I started by dabbling with my own beard oils. A friend who owns Cindy's Wicked Razor & Shave allowed me to make some products and set them in the shop to see how people liked them, and it just progressed from there. I officially launched in 2019 with a name that pays tribute to my brother. Every time I’d visit him, he’d see my hair (which was only shoulder-length at the time) and say, "What are you doing here, hippie?" He just thought it was funny. I knew Furry Hippie would be the perfect name because it makes people smile, just like it did for him.
I began at farmers markets with just four or five oils on the table. To my surprise, people actually bought them. My first Sunday, I made $80. I thought, Hey, that’s $80 I didn’t have before, and I decided to keep going.
Over time, the collection grew to include oils, balms, butters, wash, conditioner, shampoo bars, and even tie-dye shirts. I also created a specific "Gold" (Going Gold) beard oil and butter for Children’s Cancer Awareness Month. I partner with the Isaiah 41:10 Foundation here in Huntsville to donate proceeds and help share their story. It started as a September-only item, but it’s now available year-round with a new scent debuting every September. My hope is that it continues to generate awareness for the foundation and educates people about pediatric brain cancer.
What have been the biggest challenges?
Festivals and markets are my primary way of getting the name out there, but they can be incredibly expensive. Between event fees, running the website, and digital marketing, the costs add up quickly.
Then there’s the economy. While Huntsville is somewhat shielded because of the Arsenal and government jobs, we still feel the impact. Overall, the biggest struggle is breaking through that "hump" to reach a wider audience beyond the local circuit.
Goals for upcoming year + Next phase of the company?
I want to travel more. I’ve set up in Indiana and North Carolina, but I want to branch out to even more states. Being face-to-face with people is how you build an organic customer base. People want to know the owner and hear the story, and I genuinely enjoy that connection.
My goals for this year are to increase my wholesale accounts, travel to bigger festivals, and get my website to a point where it’s generating sales consistently in the background.
What have you learned since becoming an entrepreneur?
I’ve had a lot of different lives. I worked at Thermo Fisher Scientific where I ran robots that assisted in replicating DNA, and I worked in pharma manufacturing for several years. After that, I spent eight years driving for FedEx Freight.
I genuinely enjoyed working at FedEx, but it’s the kind of job that can definitely consume your time. When I started the business in 2019, it eventually reached a point where I had to make a difficult decision. There just wasn't enough room in the day to do both at the level they deserved.
I made the jump, and for the first few years, I was doubling my revenue annually. Even through 2023, sales were incredible. But in 2024, it felt like everything stopped. I realized I had to either pivot or get another job. Now, I help a friend with landscaping during the slow seasons to recoup. That year was so tough it felt like starting over, but we’re finally getting the flow back to where it was.
What aspect of entrepreneurship do you appreciate the most?
The creative freedom. When you work for someone else, you’re confined. Here, I name the products, I create the scents, and I set the goals. There is a massive sense of accomplishment in building something on your own terms that I never felt working for someone else.
Do you have a moment that brings you the most joy?
Securing my trademark was huge. Having my logo and name officially registered felt like a major milestone. But on a daily level, it’s seeing people use the products. When someone recognizes me locally, it’s a great feeling. It isn't for the "celebrity" aspect, but because it means they enjoy what I’ve built. Knowing that they are also learning about the Isaiah 4:10 Foundation because of my brand gives me a lot of pride.
Piece of Advice
Don’t take things for granted when business is good. From 2019 through 2022, I was doubling every year. By 2023, I didn't even have to "sell" because people were just lining up. That fed my confidence, and I quit my job thinking it would always be that way.
Then the market shifted. Looking back, maybe I jumped too soon, but I believe everything happens for a reason. You have to stay on your toes, watch your finances, and always be thinking about the next customer. I’m still here, and I’m still surviving.
Promo Code
Purchase from their site, Furry Hippie Beard Company , and use promo code below!
KLS20 -> 20% off!
Community Callout
Gener8tor is basically a business accelerator that offers free classes and training to help people get their businesses off the ground. They don’t just teach you the basics; they really help you dive into the details, like building a solid pitch and finding the right resources to grow. The best part is that they connect you with people who have already been through the program and are actually out there making it happen.
It’s completely free training, which is a huge deal when you’re starting out and watching every penny. I went through the program here in Huntsville, and it was a game-changer. You eventually get to stand up and give your pitch, and you get to network with a lot of successful people. It’s a great way to get your name out there and get some serious feedback. If you’re looking to start your own thing, I definitely recommend checking them out.
In Closing
KLS wants to thank Furry Hippie Beard Company and Founder, Jason Askins, for today's "Together Talks" feature. Follow along for their journey with their social handles below!