Building a Men's Skincare Brand: The Jack Black Story

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating journey of Currin and Jeff Dandaran, the founders of Jack Black, a renowned men's skincare brand. Join us as we explore how they turned their vision into a successful business, overcoming challenges and finding their niche in the market.

From Golf Shops to Traditional Retailers

When Currin and Jeff first launched Jack Black in 2000, they had a unique target audience in mind: golfers. Initially, they focused on distributing their products through golf shops, but they soon realized that getting men to embrace skincare was no easy task. Undeterred, they decided to pivot their strategy and set their sights on traditional retailers.

Through perseverance and determination, Currin and Jeff managed to secure partnerships with well-known department stores like Stanley Korshak and Nordstrom. By positioning their products in these established retail spaces, they were able to reach a wider audience and gain traction in the market.

Partnerships and Expansion

One of the key turning points for Jack Black came when they formed partnerships with NFL teams. By placing their products in locker rooms and luxury suites, they not only gained exposure to a highly influential demographic but also established their brand as a trusted choice among athletes.

As the brand continued to grow steadily, Currin and Jeff's hard work and resilience paid off. Their dedication to quality and innovation resonated with customers, and Jack Black became a go-to brand for men's skincare needs.

The Acquisition and Beyond

In 2018, Jack Black reached a significant milestone when it was acquired by Edgewell. This partnership opened up new opportunities for the brand to expand its reach and continue its mission of providing high-quality skincare products for men.

Throughout their journey, Currin and Jeff attribute their success to a combination of hard work, resilience, and a bit of luck. Join us as we delve deeper into their inspiring story and learn valuable lessons about entrepreneurship and building a brand in a competitive market.

In 1998, Curran Dandurand and a colleague from Mary Kay Cosmetics came up with an unorthodox idea: a premium skincare brand for men. Despite the prevailing wisdom that American men would never want to moisturize and exfoliate - and a total lack of interest from investors - Curran and Emily Dalton forged ahead, with the help of Curran’s husband Jeff. Their brand, Jack Black, launched in 2000, and eventually landed in major department stores, with some unexpected boosts from the Dallas Cowboys and Matthew McConaughey. The brand became a leader in men’s skincare, and eventually sold to Edgewell Personal Care for just under $100 million.

This episode was produced by Casey Herman, with music by Ramtin Arablouei.

Edited by Neva Grant with research help from Katherine Sypher.

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