“I started Ogallala Bay Rum because really I could never find Bay Rum that smelled like I thought it used to back in the barber shop. When I did, I figured I had to have other means of marketing and distribution in place, and the Internet simply eliminates most of the barriers to enter the market. I really don’t think there’s a single downside to utilizing business tools on the Internet. Honestly without it, our businesses really would not exist.” – John Marquis, owner
What started as John Marquis’ quest to find quality bay rum aftershave has become a successful, largely ecommerce-based business. Ogallala Bay Rum now offers aftershave, cologne, bath soaps, shaving soaps, dry skin balm, air freshener, dog shampoo, body lotion, and more! John makes some of the products and others are outsourced to small Nebraska manufacturers.
John credits GROW Nebraska’s annual MarkeTech conference as being a great place to learn and network to grow his business. In 2017, he was awarded GROW Nebraska’s Member of the Year award for his ongoing participation in GROW services and dedication to helping Nebraska’s economy.
Ogallala Bay Rum has a very loyal following. Currently Ogallala Bay Rum is sold in all 50 states and 8 countries, both online and in stores like Duluth Trading Company. It’s especially popular among YouTube stars, and video reviews are abundant. Check out this one with over 6,000 views about his shaving soap >>
