Entrepreneurship is increasingly about leveraging corporate expertise into personal ventures, and Darrell Spencer stands out as a prime example of this transition. The former digital advertising executive, who built his career at tech giants like Meta, Google, LinkedIn, and Pinterest, is now applying his marketing skills to challenge traditional notions of men’s skincare through his brand, Crowned Skin.

Darrell’s extensive background in digital advertising has provided him with unique insights into building and scaling brands. “I legitimately learned how to generate extreme revenue for all these different companies,” Spencer explains, reflecting on his time consulting with major clients like Walmart and Chase, as well as smaller businesses aiming for enterprise-level growth. This experience now informs his approach to his own venture, particularly in understanding the complexities of digital advertising strategy from top to bottom funnel marketing.

Crowned Skin’s flagship products are innovative organic body butters for men that double as cologne. “Think about your favorite cologne in the world as a man, and then we’ve actually put that into a body butter, so you can moisturize while also smelling like your favorite cologne,” Spencer explains. This unique approach is particularly focused on serving men of color, a demographic historically underserved in the skincare industry.

The brand’s formulation strategy is deliberate and targeted. Spencer emphasizes the unique needs of Black men’s skin, incorporating powerful natural ingredients like shea butter, mango butter, and jojoba oil. “For Black skin and Black men, we have just a different skin type, and it requires more care and attention.” This attention to specific skincare needs, combined with luxury fragrances, creates a product that serves both function and desire.

Spencer’s approach to marketing demonstrates his tech-honed strategic thinking. Rather than directly confronting the stigma around men’s skincare, Crowned Skin focuses on attraction and confidence. “Our fragrances smell so good that they’ll attract anybody walking past,” Spencer says, describing how the product naturally creates conversations and breaks down barriers. The marketing strategy goes beyond traditional education about ingredients. “Beyond education around the butters, we want to sell confidence to men.” This emotional connection has proven effective in reaching customers who might otherwise be hesitant to engage with skincare products.

Looking ahead, Spencer’s vision for Crowned Skin is ambitious. He aims to transform the brand into a comprehensive one-stop shop for men’s grooming needs. Future product lines will include deodorants, body washes, soaps, lotions, and colognes, all maintaining the brand’s commitment to quality ingredients and attractive fragrances.

Spencer’s journey from big tech to beauty entrepreneurship represents a new generation of business leaders who are using their corporate expertise to create innovative, inclusive products. Through Crowned Skin, he’s not just selling skincare products – he’s creating a new narrative around men’s grooming, one that emphasizes both physical care and emotional confidence.

To learn more about Crowned Skin, visit crownedskin.com.