A new line of natural men’s grooming products is on the market for the Columbus gent. If your beard needs a little TLC or you’re looking for a chemical-free styling wax, look no further than Cliff Original.
“All our products are 100 percent natural,” says Founder Jared Friesner. Cliff Original’s current product line includes Beard Arousal Balm, Beard Arousal Oil, Hair Arousal Wax and Face Wash Bricks. The hair wax provides a conditioning style aid that promotes a healthy scalp and hair, while the beard wax helps with dryness and irritation. The face wash bricks serve double duty as a shaving product and facial cleanser.
Cliff Original sources all of their ingredients from Ohio.
Whether it’s labels from Lancaster or goat’s milk from a local farm, “We try to source as many not just ingredients, but materials and packaging as local as possible,” Friesner says.
After launching in October of 2013, Cliff Original has quickly developed partnerships with several retailers across the city. Consumers can find the grooming goods at Celebrate Local, Whole Foods in Dublin, boutiques like Thread and Brigade, Turner’s Barbershop and Old Familiar Barbershop.
The Moonlight Market has also provided a valuable platform for Cliff Original. Friesner was overwhelmed by the success of their first experience in May. He values the face-to-face interaction with customers and the community that the event provides.
“Columbus is just a great collaborative city,” Friesner says. A supportive small business community has been instrumental in Cliff Original’s growth. The company has utilized local resources like ECDI’s commercial kitchen in their development.
“Columbus in general has so many valuable resources available,” he says.
Friesner started developing his own styling products after finding a marketplace full of chemically-laden styling waxes. Originally using his buddies as a test market, he turned the project into a business while attending holistic wellness school and manning a full-time position at Blue Label.
There’s a special story behind the company’s name. Friesner grew up on his family’s farm in Lancaster and lived right next door to his grandparents. He would follow is Grandpa Cliff around mirroring everything he did, and developed a great admiration of his character.
“I just knew I wanted to do something to honor him,” Friesner says, deciding to name the company after him. Friesner is also honoring is grandpa’s giving spirit by donating 10 percent of Cliff Original’s profits to local charities.
For more information, visit clifforiginal.com.
