Meet Wendell Matthews: CEO/Co-Founder Goat+Bear Men’s Grooming

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wendell Matthews and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wendell, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Believe it or not, frustration. I had a desire to grow a beard. I tried it once before and failed miserably. This time I was going to do right. I drove to the local Target retailer and walked to the men’s grooming aisle. I grabbed beard wash, conditioner, oils, all of it. My conscious tells me to look at the ingredients to see what the company is using. I immediately see words I cannot pronounce. I begin searching these words on the internet and find them to be used in washing cars. I become frustrated. At that moment, there was no way I was putting anything that I would use on my car, on my face. My mindset coming into the store was to do a quick grab-and-go but instead, I’m upset on aisle A26. I wanted a product that used natural ingredients, simple and not overcomplicated, and was safe for my body; in and out. That is how we came up with Goat+Bear Men’s Grooming. Goat+Bear Men’s Grooming provides the modern man simple, natural, and safe facial haircare grooming products. Our hero/first product, The Walton Hydration Spray, hydrates the facial hair and skin, eliminates bacteria and fungi, and provides a refreshing aromatherapy scent for everyday stressors.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Goat+Bear Men’s Grooming differentiates itself by providing a subscription-based grooming product that’s 100% natural for modern men. Our product has been TSA-Approved, fits in a gym bag, and can be slipped into a back pocket for quick use before a meeting, happy hour, or date. The WaltonHydration Spray provides a 2-in-1 system by hydrating facial hair and skin. Most products on the market today don’t do both. Not only that, our product provides a refreshing aromatherapy scent to add another level of confidence.

Achieving the level of current success wasn’t easy. We spent 1-2 years developing the formula. We were hands-on with our manufacture throughout the entire process. Preparing for launch, production became delayed due to natural disasters. We chose not to be upset. Instead, we leaned on our principles, Honesty, and Transparency. We uploaded a video describing the setback and that we were worth the wait. It was well-received.

The lesson we learned is to “Be You.” We were all created uniquely different with several different purposes. We should not try to copy others. If you try to copy, you can never be 100% them. You do have the ability to be 100% you, so go after what you can be versus what you can’t be.

At Goat+Bear, we strive to be as authentic as we can be. If we aren’t, call us out, we don’t mind. We built this brand to grow together.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
That’s a good question! The week-long trip would be outside. Centennial Olympic Park and Piedmont Park would be the two go-to’s. Atlanta Botanical Garden and MLK National Historical Park would also be a places to go as well. Atlanta is a transit city with diversity, food and drink options are endless. Two places I enjoy are Slutty Vegan and Slim & Huskys. Lastly, you have to catch a Hawks or Falcons game. The fanbase here is crazy for the city!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to thank my co-founder and wife Shayna Matthews for her unwavering support. As a licensed master cosmetologist, specializing in natural hair, she’s been able to help formulate our natural products, brainstorm concepts and promote the business. I would like to thank my team of accountability advisors; Tiffany J., Natasha W., Kiley S., and Will M. for only accepting excellence out of me. I would like to thank my grandfather, to who I’ve dedicated our first four product names. It is because of your guidance and encouragement, I have continued to pursue entrepreneurship.

Website: goatnbear.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/goatnbear

Facebook: www.facebook.com/goatnbear