Founder Q&A with Carlos Barksdale
Q&A with our Founder, Carlos Barksdale
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My Mom. Growing up Memphis, TN, my grooming journey began under my mother Vickie's guidance. She taught me the intricacies of maintaining impeccable waves, instilling the value of dedication and self-care. Those daily brush sessions and weekly barbershop visits, though challenging, gave me the best waves in school. I wanted to create a line of products that empowers people to be as committed, consistent, and dedicated to themselves as my Mom was to me.
What pain point does Glory solve for you?
I didn’t buy pomade for 5 years. In my 20’s I noticed a lot of changes with my hair. The feel and texture of it changed. It didn’t lay the same way after a cut or during wolfing periods. No one told me that was coming. I couldn’t use products we grew up on like Murray’s and Luster’s and Sportin Waves. My hair was literally craving something better and healthier. I needed a product that was well-formulated enough to adapt to my changing needs. When I landed on Glory’s Pomade Paste, it was like finding my first crush all over again. It fuckin worked! I never looked back.
Why is Glory needed?
Wavers deserve a brand that caters to their needs. There are a lot of us and we put a lot of time, effort, and money into our hair. We should have products that honor that. We shouldn’t have to settle for low-quality products from the bottom shelves of beauty supply stores or swipe stuff from our girls’ bathrooms. We deserve products that work just as hard as we do.
What does Glory provide that is missing from the grooming landscape right now?
A brand that actually resonates with Black men. I'm not just drawing from my own experience, I surveyed Black men for 3+ years before Glory went live. I understand their hair needs and their consumer habits. We deserve a brand that adequately reflects and speaks to us, just like our counterparts have. And we target real issues - scalp health, hair thinning, flakes, etc. Our products are designed to be effective and have style. We don't compromise on either.
Why is it important to you to use healthy and clean ingredients?
When you know better, you do better. Growing up, we didn’t know about the toxic ingredients in hair products. We just used whatever my Mom or Grandma got from the store. But as I matured and took the reins of my grooming routine, I learned the importance of healthy consumption, because what goes on your body goes in your body. You can keep using the $3 cans or you can invest in yourself. It’s no coincidence that guys are losing their hair at young ages. Sure, for some it’s hereditary, but a lot is attributed to poor product use. I know this because I’ve helped guys grow their hair back. That’s why Glory’s products are infused with unique ingredients like sweet potato, artichoke, and peppermint that nourish the hair and scalp, stimulate hair growth, and prevent hair loss.
What does Glory mean to you?
Glory is me. And Glory is you too. It’s about romanticizing and embracing your everyday. No one else has your body, your face, your hair. That deserves to be celebrated, first and foremost by you. I want people to give themselves the best, and I bottle that up in Glory.