The founders of a new Minneapolis haircare startup believe that it's high time to reduce the mountain of shampoo and conditioner bottles in your shower.
Founded in 2017, HiBAR was created by a group of four friends hoping to cut back on single-use plastics in the bathroom. Together they created a collection of solid shampoos and conditioners that skip the need for plastic packaging.
"We originally started by looking for a good replacement for the plastic bottle, but decided to go all the way back and rebuild the entire haircare experience from the ground up," HiBAR Co-founder Dion Hughes told Minne Inno.
HiBAR currently has six products with three specialties: clarifying, moisturizing and volumizing. Each bar retails for around $14. Hughes said that HiBAR sells primarily through its website, but its products can also be found locally at the Lakewind Co-op.
Hughes said that he has always been conscious of his plastic usage. He grew up near beaches in Australia and has seen the devasting effects that pollution can have on the ocean.
"I was really disturbed by that," he said. "A clean beach is only possible if someone gets up and does something about the mess."
Hughes has worked in advertising and branding for nearly three decades. He's the founder and chief creative officer of Persuasion Arts & Sciences, a Minneapolis-based creative brand consultancy that Hughes describes as a "small, nimble team of very senior thinkers." Hughes says that his experience with Persuasion has helped to create HiBAR.
The company hopes to eventually expand its current line of products. In the meantime, HiBAR is focused on increasing its sales and getting into more stores around the Twin Cities. The team's biggest wish, Hughes said, is that people will take action and find ways to reduce their plastic usage.
"Ideas are a dime a dozen. If you want to change something, you need to put in the time and energy to make it happen," Hughes said.
