This month, Michael James, Founder of Frederick Benjamin, spoke with us about creating an empowering brand of Black grooming products for men, building upon his grandfather’s legacy, and igniting confidence within his community.
Your Story — Tell us about your journey to get here: How did you get your start? How long have you been in business?
This journey started just after business school with my first job at Revlon. After four years there, I moved to L’Oreal for another four years and really enjoyed the beauty category! It was during those years of developing strategies, plans and formulations for others when my personal pain point came into focus: the beauty industry lacks products that serve my needs as a Black man. I realized my unique position within the industry and recognized an opportunity to serve others who may feel the same way.
Your Inspiration — Who or what’s inspired you to keep moving forward?
My grandfather and parents are my inspiration. I’m a third-generation entrepreneur—my grandfather, Frederick Benjamin Schumpert, started his lumber company in the Deep South in 1939, which my parents ran until 2000. But what keeps me going is thinking about what my grandfather must have endured as a Black man in South Carolina in the ’30s. I constantly remind myself that while things are hard and the opportunities for Black Americans are few and far between, my grandfather always found a way to overcome the challenges he faced. That’s what keeps me driven!
Your Purpose — Why do you do what you do? What makes it meaningful to you?
We are serving the men who will serve the men of tomorrow! We want to give men of color the confidence and pride to hold their heads high and represent themselves and their brothers with honor and grace. When you look good, you feel good-and when you feel good, you treat others with respect. This is not only a business opportunity but a personal mission to show the world that we matter as Black men—to be seen, recognized and valued.
Your Goal — What’s next?
We are building a great organization filled with wonderful personalities who are mission-driven, smart, caring and innovative. If we achieve this, we’re better able to serve our customer by connecting him to great products and retail partners within his community.
Your Connection — How did you cross paths with Knock?
The KNOCK connection has been game-changing for us! I was introduced to your agency through the Target Accelerators Program, an initiative to advance BIPOC entrepreneurs. We were in a position to gain distribution but challenged to refine our products for retail. While we vetted a few agencies, I was drawn to KNOCK’s capabilities and overall vibe, which makes working on projects more enjoyable. The collaboration around reimagining the Frederick Benjamin brand has been awesome!
Final Thoughts
Frederick Benjamin Grooming is all about carrying forward style that truly inspires—believing that, when you feel free to be yourself, you’ll inspire the next man to feel the same. Michael James is the impetus behind the mission, driving the company’s values forward and shaping the future of inclusive hair care products.
