Today we’d like to introduce you to Javier Gomez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Javier. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
We started the business four years ago as three minority men from different parts of New York City who saw a need in the market for natural, men’s grooming products. We all had beards but didn’t see ourselves represented in the grooming industry; we also didn’t want to pay the price the market was asking for. Companies were charging so much- for 2 oz they wanted like $20, you could even find it for more. We thought that was crazy, so we started doing our own research on ingredients and what worked best for our skin and hair. We put them all together and really, really loved the product- so we started using it. When people on the streets would ask us what we were using, we knew we had something special to share with our community. We wanted Black men to be able to afford to look and feel their best. When we started getting publicity and were featured in major publications, we gained a whole new market of men. It’s been a real adventure. After so much struggle, prejudices, and lack of opportunities given to us, we finally understood how the industry works and I believe we are on the right path to make it a success story.
Has it been a smooth road?
No not at all, it’s never a smooth road. First of all, we are 3 different individuals working together that sometimes don’t agree on decisions that need to be made. We knew what we wanted to say, but had trouble getting our message across. Not to mention, we are a small company trying to compete with companies who have been doing this for years. Who knows about Urban Beard? You can’t compare us with the big companies- they have been around forever and kind of hold the market right now. Our job is to get in there and put up a fight with these big boys, so the struggle is getting our name out there and creating brand trust and brand awareness. Once we do that, we feel comfortable and confident that our product is superior to theirs.
Of course, the pandemic has been a struggle too. Right now, we continue to work hard to bring more awareness to our brand and can’t wait for everything to get back to ‘normal’- even if I believe there’s a new “normal” and we all have to adjust ourselves to that. One crisis brings another, we are particularly affected by the current social crisis that our country is going through as a Black-owned business. We are fathers, sons and friends- we will always support and respect those who stand against racism.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Urban Beard story. Tell us more about the business.
We are different because we are a Black-owned men’s grooming brand specialized in beard care who are really trying to make a difference by catering to our community. Our products were made with our community in mind- their finances, needs, looks and tastes. We just want Black men, and really any men, to be able to look and feel their best.
We are very proud of the fact that we make high-quality, natural products at the most affordable price out there so each of our brothers can afford them. Our different backgrounds and cultures will always set us apart from others because we are able to target a larger set of audiences from different communities. Not only were we able to build a good product, but a product that represents everyone.
Out of the three of us, I have the most experience in the business world. I own other businesses and am here to guide my partners so that we can succeed as a company. I am the owner of a company that provides security for a lot of locations in NYC. I have a background in hospitality, so I’m really proud of that. I’m proud of all my starter businesses and the fact that I’m able to learn from them and to succeed with them. I’m especially proud of this one because it is something that I get a chance to build from the ground up. I love seeing it succeed. We hope to be in more retail stores soon.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think the men’s grooming/ beauty industry is a real niche market nowadays. The industry is moving fast and has real potential. We want to take advantage of it. We want to see our brand constantly growing and impacting communities across the country. We are planning on expanding the brand to body and face care.
Pricing:
- Beard Butter 2 oz – $11,99
- Beard Better 4 oz – $19,99
- Beard Oil 2 oz – $11,99
Contact Info:
- Website: urbandbeard.com
- Phone: 9172074359
- Email: info@urbanbeard.com
- Instagram: urbanbeardny
- Facebook: urbandbeardny
- Twitter: urbanbeardny
Image Credit:
Dope Publicity
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