Founder Q&A with Carlos Barksdale
Q&A with our Founder, Carlos Barksdale
Where did the idea to build Glory come from?
Social Media. In 2016 I launched a company called Luya, a marketplace for healthy black-owned personal care brands. As a result, I would often scour the internet for beauty & grooming related content to repurpose. One day I came across a guy’s video of him showing off his 360 waves grooming process. That took me down a 3-hour rabbit hole across Youtube, Instagram, and Facebook. I was shocked to discover a vast online community of wavers like me - except they were sharing techniques, providing education, and giving tutorials. I didn’t know this digital comradery existed. However, I noticed a lack of product continuity and worse - most products used contained toxic ingredients. Guys were either using the toxic products we grew up on or just whatever they swiped from their girlfriend’s bathroom. Despite being well-educated and dedicated to our hair, wavers weren’t being catered. I saw this gap and sought to fill it.
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?
Swag. I’m serious. I’ve never had a grooming brand that I thought was fresh or that fit my style. My friends and I wear brands like Ralph Lauren and Nike and Kith. We travel to dope spots, eat at great restaurants, and date beautiful women. We’re athletic. And I want the brands I use to reflect my aesthetic and lifestyle. I invested significantly into the design and aesthetic of Glory, because it matters. We use these products every day. We deserve to feel a connection to them. Glory’s products are designed to put on top of the counter.
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.