Battle Balm - Interview ~ BJJ New Gear

BSP Date: August 17, 2015

Q: What is the name of your brand(s)? Battle Balm

Battle Balm.

Q: When & where was it founded, and where is it currently headquartered?

Battle Balm was founded in 2012 and is currently located in sunny San Diego, California.

Q: Who are the founders/current owners?

Dylan Jawahir, L.Ac., L.M.T. is the founder.

Q: Is there any significance behind the name of the brand or its logo?

Herbal balms have been made for centuries using native plants. Our balm is based upon the formulas used by the ancient Shaolin monks who had to physically train for combat in order to protect their temples and land. The word Battle in Battle Balm represents those martial roots.

Q: What was the driving force (or forces) behind the founding of the brand?

Battle Balm was a spinoff of my private acupuncture and Chinese medicine practice. I treated a lot of pain conditions and needed something to complement my treatments. Believe it or not, I couldn't find anything high quality, effective, and easy for my patients to use.

Q: What are your strengths / the strengths of your brand?

First of all, I love what I do. I've poured my heart and soul into Battle Balm, and I continue to do so.

Battle Balm believes in the same things I believe in: helping people, representing natural medicine, leaving a small carbon footprint, and giving back to society. We want to be more than just another brand selling "stuff."

Q: What was your first product produced (prototype or otherwise)?

Battle Balm Original Strength was our first product. It took almost 2 years of development and research before we perfected our formulation and production.

Q: In that first year or so, what were your first struggles in getting the brand off the ground?

Money was our biggest struggle from the start. That's the main reason why most companies fail within the first five years. We were no different. Luckily, we were only "in the red" for two years before we made a dime. If it weren't for a couple of angel investors that believed in our cause, we would have shut our doors.

Q: What would you consider to be your signature or keystone item(s) to date?

Our Extra Strength Battle Balm would be our keystone. It's the most versatile of the three strengths of Battle Balm and thus, has a broad range of use.

Q: What items do you also sell that people may not be aware of?

We sell an oral supplement called Fierce Qi. It's an herbal extract of premium ginseng and cordyceps, both adaptogens. Fierce Qi is a natural energy boost without the caffeine. A huge bonus is that the product helps stabilize blood sugar levels and optimizes metabolic function. A few high profile athletes are using it with good results.

Q: Do you have anything exciting coming up in the next few months or so that you can share with us?

These are secrets we can't share, but there are some products being beta tested as we speak!

Q: Geographically speaking, where is your primary customer base?

We do a lot of U.S. sales. Though, our overseas sales have been on the rise. We will be expanding our distributorship once we hit a certain point. It should open the floodgates to sales in our second biggest market, Europe.

Q: A common question/concern among our members is the issue of shipping. We have found that some brands will not ship worldwide or have carved out certain countries from their territory. So if you would, please explain your shipping policy, pricing and any geographic restrictions that you have with regard to the sale of your goods.

We sell to anyone with an address. Shipping outside of North America can be costly, but it's not outrageous. Once we get our overseas distributorship in place, it will be easier for our customers to pick up a tin or two.

Q: Do you have any sponsored athletes? If so, do you have specific criteria for selecting such athletes?

We have a few sponsored athletes. But, we are in the midst of changing our sponsorship around to allow more competitors to rep our brand in exchange for Battle Balm gear.

Q: Where do you get the inspiration from in designing new gear for your brand?

We try to see what a lot of other companies are doing with their brands both in and outside the BJJ space. Since our product can be used by just about everyone, we do our best to create designs that can please a wide audience.

Q: What differentiates you and your brand from other BJJ brands?

Battle Balm doesn't really have a lot of competition in the BJJ space. We understand the BJJ industry because we practice it. We support the BJJ community as they have supported us. There's a camaraderie in BJJ that we enjoy being a part of.

Q: What other brands are out there that you admire? And why?

There are a lot of companies that we support. But, we definitely lean more towards companies that are trying to do more and be more. What I mean is that we admire and respect companies that have good values, connect with the community and give back to society.

Q: Is your company direct sales only? Or do you have distributors?

Battle Balm does direct sales and we also sell our product in retail stores around the U.S.

Q: Do or have you participated in tournament booths or sponsorships of tournaments?

Yes, we do sponsor tournaments and have done a few booths. Off the top of my head, we've sponsored a Tap Cancer Out BJJ event, EBI, and Gracie Tournaments. We plan to do more in 2016.

Q: Any plans for future expansion?

Yes. We are expanding.

Q: What hobbies do you enjoy?

BJJ. Boxing. Kickboxing. Mountain biking. Building classic cars.

Q: Do you have any pets?

Yes. 2 dogs.

Q: Where did you grow up and attend school (University/College)?

I have an electrical engineering degree, a computer engineering degree, a business minor, a sales engineering minor, a massage therapy degree, an acupuncture degree and a high school diploma. I like to learn, I guess.

Q: Tell us a little about your background in martial arts/grappling.

I'm a white belt in BJJ. I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Quick Fire

These questions are designed to allow for short, one or two word answers. Oftentimes just yes or no, and from a personal perspective.

Q: Rash Guard – Short or long sleeve?

Long. It's not that much more fabric for quite a bit more protection.

Q: Preferred gi colorway?

White. I'm a traditionalist deep down.

Q: Rash under your gi?

No.

Q: Spats under your gi?

Hell no.

Q: Gi Pants – Rip Stop, Cotton Twill/Drill Cotton, or Cotton/Poly Blend?

I wear everything. But if I had a choice, it would be canvas all day long.

Q: Gi jacket weave?

Pearl weave for summer. Double for winter.

Q: Favorite submission?

Bow and arrow.

Q: Last stamp on your passport?

China.

Q: Beer or wine?

One in each hand.

Q: Tea or coffee?

Tea.

Q: Do you wash your belt or not?

Never.

Q: Regular knot or superlock knot in belt?

Regular.

Q: Isle or window seat?

Window.

Q: And finally…what social media do you participate in and what are those addresses?

http://battlebalm.com

http://www.facebook.com/battlebalm

@BattleBalm on Twitter

@battlebalm on Instagram

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Monday, August 17, 2015