A school leaver who proved his father wrong after he told him he could only quit class if he had £100,000 in the bank has now invented a top-selling manscaping trimmer which is set to rake in millions.
Tyler Ball, 20, from Milton Keynes, turned over half a million pounds in just 30 days by selling the razor.
The product from his male grooming brand BALLS is now being sold in 150 countries worldwide, and his turnover is set to be £9million this year after flogging 120,000 of the £55 device.
He got the idea after spotting his little brother about to manscape – which 62 per cent of Brit men do – with a pair of scissors.
The young entrepreneur, then 17, then spotted a gap in the £95billion male grooming market and set up his business.
Tyler Ball (pictured), 20, from Milton Keynes, who proved his father wrong after he told him he could only quit class if he had £100,000 in the bank has now invented a top-selling manscaping trimmer which is set to rake in millions
Tyler originally made the £100,000 target his dad David set by selling electronic goods online, which then gave him the drive to set up BALLS.
He explained: ‘My dad said “You’re not leaving school unless you have £100,000 in the bank”. Dad’s throwaway comment was the catalyst.
‘My parents clearly had my best interests at heart, but sixth form felt like a box ticking exercise.
‘I knew early on that I didn’t want to go to university. So, if this is what it was going to take to persuade my parents, then I was game.’
Proud father David, 46, said: ‘It wasn’t long before I suspected Tyler must be making some serious money as the the quantities of stock he was buying was rising sharply.
Tyler (pictured with his father David) turned over half a million pounds in just 30 days by selling the razor
‘However when he told me the actual amount I was really shocked. I remember thinking wow, he’s got more money than me! He is an amazing young man and I am very proud of what he has achieved so far.’
Tyler set up BALLS with co-founder Matt Edge last year and has also launched a subscription model for its blades. He had a lightbulb moment thanks to his sibling.
‘Let’s just say my younger brother was armed with a frighteningly large pair of kitchen scissors and it wasn’t to cut a label off some new clothes,’ Tyler, who still lives at home, said.
‘I was like, “No buddy, please. Not there with those. You’ll end up in A&E”.
‘In a bid to find something a bit more user friendly online, it was apparent that there wasn’t anything in the UK market designed specifically to trim “down there” safely and easily.
Tyler set up BALLS with co-founder Matt Edge (pictured) last year and has also launched a subscription model for its blades. He had a lightbulb moment thanks to his sibling
‘There were beard trimmers and body trimmers, but these aren’t designed for such a delicate area and, understandably, people don’t necessarily want to use the same product that they use on their face.’
‘All of a sudden I thought, here’s a huge addressable market that isn’t being catered for.’
Tyler’s interest in business came when he discovered the Chinese giant Alibaba turning over £300 a month profit from trading iPhone chargers and headphones.
He sold his own electronic goods and then set up a vintage eyewear brand called Boujee Frames.
His male grooming brand BALLS product (above) is now being told in 150 countries worldwide and his turnover is set to be £9million this year after flogging 120,000 of the £55 device
‘I grew up watching cult brands like Supreme nail “drop” marketing – a sales tactic which consists of releasing a limited-edition product or collection in small quantities at select retail locations, without much warning,’ he added.
‘They are masters in creating hype and drawing large crowds to their stores around the world. I wanted to do the same.’
Cult US rappers Post Malone and Ty Dollar Sign then shared the frames to their respective 19million and 5million social media followers.
‘I learnt a massive amount from this,’ he added. ‘I had so much fun but became so focused on who was wearing the gear, I lost sight of the actual business. If activity doesn’t translate into cash flow, there’s no point.’
Matt, 40 – who he met through a mutual friend of his father’s – said: ‘There’s an old adage that says “You’re only as good as the tools you use”,
‘And when it comes to grooming your groin, dropping the metaphorical ball should never be underestimated.’