• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

This man wants to sell you a male wet nap

By
Matt Vella
Matt Vella
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Matt Vella
Matt Vella
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 4, 2013, 10:00 AM ET

FORTUNE — Michael Dubin’s next big idea is 5-inches by 7-inches, infused with ingredients like aloe and marshmallow herb, and slightly moist to the touch. Dubin, founder and CEO of Dollar Shave Club, is betting the company’s newest product — bathroom towelettes for guys — will help the two-year-old startup expand beyond shaving materials.

In March last year, a viral video promoting Dollar Shave Club’s razor-blade business exploded on YouTube (GOOG). Dubin, who spent most of his career in media and marketing, starred in the spot, cracking wise and encouraging men to buy his razor blades on a subscription basis, starting for as little as $2 a month. (The video has been viewed more than 10 million times.) The company has about 200,000 members and has pulled in a total $10.9 million in funding from Silicon Valley venture capital firms Venrock, Andreessen Horowitz, and Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers.

Dubin, 34, is at it again. On Tuesday, the company released its second video to introduce One Wipe Charlies, a flushable, hygenic wipe for men intended to be used in the bathroom. Or, as the company refers to the toilet paper alternative, a “butt wipe.” Dollar Shave Club is planning to launch up to five more products this year. “We want to service your face, your ass, and everything in-between,” says Dubin.

MORE: Trouble at Porsche as the 911 turns 50

Why wipes? Dubin says the company conducted research (partially on its own as well as with two consumer survey firms) that showed 51% of men already use flushable wipes. The study showed that 23% purchase wipes online, about three times more than the number who buy general grooming supplies on the web. “Guys don’t talk about it,” explains Dubin. “In our tongue-in-cheek way, we want to make it OK to talk about.” The U.S. toilet paper product market, including, wipes is worth $9 billion annually compared to $6 billion for men’s shaving.

Dubin, who took comedy training at the Upright Citizens Brigade before becoming his own pitchman, has relied on his funnyman persona to grow Dollar Shave Club. He says humorous radio spots have played a large role in keeping up momentum in the wake of the 2012 viral video. This year, online orders increased up to eightfold in Buffalo, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati as a result. Dubin says he admires companies like Starbucks (VMED) and Virgin (VMED), which have managed to stay true to their own brands while “turning a staple into wonderful experiences.”

Now, if he can do it again, men may have a whole new category of products to subscribe to — and even maybe openly talk about.

About the Author
By Matt Vella
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Ritual Synbiotic+ Probiotic Review (2026): An Expert’s Opinion
HealthDietary Supplements
Ritual Synbiotic+ Probiotic Review (2026): An Expert’s Opinion
By Christina SnyderApril 10, 2026
41 seconds ago
‘Babies become sitting ducks’: Babies too young for vaccines remain vulnerable in measles ‘hotbed’ communities
HealthVaccine
‘Babies become sitting ducks’: Babies too young for vaccines remain vulnerable in measles ‘hotbed’ communities
By The Associated Press, Laura Ungar and Devi ShastriApril 10, 2026
58 minutes ago
The Bread Savings logo on a green layered background.
Personal FinanceCertificates of Deposit (CDs)
Bread Savings CD rates 2026: Standard and IRA CDs with top-tier APYs
By Joseph HostetlerApril 10, 2026
1 hour ago
Top CD rates from major banks April 10, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
Personal FinanceCertificates of Deposit (CDs)
Top CD rates from major banks on April 10, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
By Joseph HostetlerApril 10, 2026
1 hour ago
Current price of Bitcoin for April 10, 2026
Personal FinanceCryptocurrency
Current price of Bitcoin for April 10, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerApril 10, 2026
2 hours ago
Current price of Ethereum for April 10, 2026
Personal FinanceEthereum
Current price of Ethereum for April 10, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerApril 10, 2026
2 hours ago

Most Popular

The U.S. government is spending $88 billion a month in interest on national debt—equal to spending on defense and education combined
Economy
The U.S. government is spending $88 billion a month in interest on national debt—equal to spending on defense and education combined
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
1 day ago
A Meta employee created a dashboard so coworkers can compete to be the company's No. 1 AI token user—and Zuckerberg doesn't even rank in the top 250
AI
A Meta employee created a dashboard so coworkers can compete to be the company's No. 1 AI token user—and Zuckerberg doesn't even rank in the top 250
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
1 day ago
Gen Z doesn't want your full-time job. They want several part-time roles, and it's reshaping the entire workforce
Success
Gen Z doesn't want your full-time job. They want several part-time roles, and it's reshaping the entire workforce
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
1 day ago
Mark Cuban admits he made a mistake letting go of the Mavericks: 'I don't regret selling. I regret who I sold to'
Investing
Mark Cuban admits he made a mistake letting go of the Mavericks: 'I don't regret selling. I regret who I sold to'
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
23 hours ago
'I hate working 5 days': Zoom CEO says traditional work schedules are becoming obsolete—and predicts a 3-day workweek by 2031
Success
'I hate working 5 days': Zoom CEO says traditional work schedules are becoming obsolete—and predicts a 3-day workweek by 2031
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of oil as of April 9, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of April 9, 2026
By Fortune EditorsApril 9, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.