Michael Dubin
Michael Dubin co-founded Dollar Shave Club and served as its CEO, the subscription grooming brand that disrupted razors with its viral 2011 launch video. With a decade in media and marketing, Dubin grew the company from a \,500 DIY video into a billion-dollar business.
Michael Dubin's Bio
Michael Dubin is the co-founder and former CEO of Dollar Shave Club, the subscription grooming brand that disrupted razors with a $4,500 viral video and grew into a $1 billion business.
Before founding Dollar Shave Club, Dubin spent a decade in media and marketing, working across TV networks and magazines while producing online video in Los Angeles. He took improv classes on the side — a habit that later shaped the brand's irreverent voice. He has spoken about an earlier failed business and how that shaped his approach to risk.
Dubin earned a BA in history from Emory University in 2001. He delivered Emory's 173rd commencement address in 2018, urging graduates to embrace uncertainty rather than follow a script.
The idea for Dollar Shave Club came at a 2010 holiday party, when Dubin met Mark Levine and learned about a warehouse of unused razor blades. He founded the company in Venice, California in January 2011, running it from his apartment. In March 2012, he starred in a $4,500 video — bathrobe, deadpan delivery, tagline "Our blades are f***ing great." The site crashed within the hour. Within 48 hours, 12,000 orders poured in. Revenue hit $3.5 million by end of 2012 and $152 million by 2015.
Unilever acquired Dollar Shave Club for approximately $1 billion in July 2016 — one of the largest ecommerce deals on record. Dubin remained CEO through 2021. Recognitions include Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Fortune 40 Under 40.
Career Timeline
2001 — BA in History, Emory University
Graduated from Emory College with a BA in history.
2010 — Produced online video in Los Angeles
Spent roughly a decade in media and marketing across TV networks, magazines, and online video production.
2011 — Co-founded Dollar Shave Club
Started the subscription razor company in Venice, California with Mark Levine, running it from his apartment.
2012 — Viral launch video and product debut at Dollar Shave Club
Starred in a $4,500 launch video featuring deadpan delivery and the tagline 'Our blades are f***ing great.' Site crashed within the hour; 12,000 orders in 48 hours.
2015 — $152 million annual revenue at Dollar Shave Club
Dollar Shave Club reached $152 million in annual sales, on track to exceed $200 million in 2016.
2016 — Unilever acquired Dollar Shave Club for ~$1 billion
Unilever purchased Dollar Shave Club in one of the largest ecommerce deals on record. Dubin remained CEO.
2021 — Stepped down as CEO of Dollar Shave Club
Dubin left the CEO role after leading the company for ten years, following its acquisition by Unilever.
Episodes
Dollar Shave Club: Michael Dubin, From Zero to a Billion Dollar Exit in Five Years (December 2018)
Michael Dubin turned a warehouse of unwanted razors into a billion-dollar brand with a single viral video. The Dollar Shave Club founder combined eight years of marketing experience with improv comedy skills to create one of the most successful guerrilla marketing campaigns in modern history. His story reveals how humor, authenticity, and relentless focus on solving a simple customer frustration can disrupt even the most entrenched markets.
Advice Line with Michael Dubin of Dollar Shave Club
Michael Dubin of Dollar Shave Club joins Guy Raz for an Advice Line episode featuring three entrepreneurs seeking growth guidance. The conversation spans scaling strategies, brand authenticity, and operational readiness. Dubin shares lessons from building a billion-dollar brand while hearing challenges from a mobile mini golf business and an outdoor gear company. He also looks back on his own journey. The episode delivers tactical advice for founders navigating expansion without losing their soul.
