Jack Black
In 1998, Curran Dandurand was working at Mary Kay Cosmetics when she and a colleague spotted an opportunity that nobody else believed in: American men didn't have a premium skincare brand designed for them. At the time, the conventional wisdom was absolute—men would never moisturize or exfoliate. Investors weren't interested. The market seemed nonexistent. But Curran, along with co-founder Emily Dalton and Curran's husband Jeff, decided to pursue the idea anyway.
Jack Black launched in 2000 as a premium skincare line specifically formulated and marketed for men. The founders had to overcome not just investor skepticism, but also deep-rooted cultural assumptions about masculinity and personal grooming. They built a brand that positioned skincare as essential and masculine rather than frivolous.
The brand's breakthrough came through unexpected partnerships and celebrity endorsements. Jack Black landed placement in major department stores and received significant boosts from two high-profile associations: the Dallas Cowboys and actor Matthew McConaughey. These endorsements helped legitimize men's skincare in the American market and drove mainstream adoption.
Jack Black became a leader in the men's skincare category, validating Curran and Emily's original vision. The success attracted acquisition attention, and Edgewell Personal Care ultimately purchased the brand for just under $100 million—a stunning return for founders who started with zero investor backing and had to overcome industry-wide skepticism.
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