Spotlight On: The Motley

A few weeks back, I had the pleasure of striking up conversation via with Matthew, one of the minds behind The Motley, a self-proclaimed and rightfully so online apothecary offering a curated collection of the highest quality and most conscious formulas for men. He put together a small kit of some of the finer products the site has to offer for my approval. Met. I in turn sent some questions his way for a Spotlight segment. A few days later, the answers were in my inbox…

First things first – The Motley. How? Why? Where? When?

The Motley started out of a empty room at my parents house in April 2010.  Once the company outgrew the ‘rents territory, I moved the company to my loft in Downtown LA and have been running it from there since.

What was the original goal behind starting the site? Have you achieved it? And is there a new mission or goal or future you see for the site?

The concept for The Motley is simple – providing a place for men, like myself, to discover superior shaving, skin care, hair products, and the like. I care so much about quality in so many other parts of my life that I hate being let down by products that I use daily.

I think that we provide an extraordinary experience for our customers. Our goals are to add a wider variety of products and to provide more resources – through articles, videos and a forum.  We recently started a video series called The Study Series, but  the rest is in the works.  As our inventory expands, so do our resources.

How big is the Motley crue (sorry)? Are you looking to add members?

The Motley crue is just my sister and I full time and a few talented designers and developers that work alongside us.  The company is growing quickly and we’re always looking for talent.  I always say that if you’re interested in grooming, lifestyle, and the internet, please hit us up – that’s hard to come by.  We’re a fun group of people.

Where’d the name come from?

A Motley is an eclectic collection that exhibits great diversity of elements.   The Motley is simply that – just very refined.

How, when, and why did you get into the grooming game?

As men, we’re supposed to already everything about it.  It is like knowing how to shave – everyone assumes that 1) it is instinctual or 2) your dad teaches you.  Most guys I talk to say that neither was the case for them either.   So, I made home over the bathroom sink and began testing products.  Now, being able to shave without tearing up my skin is a bonus that came along with all of this.

Tops:

Sexiest pop singer: You remember Christina Milian?  Hands down.

Best city you’ve visited: Berlin in July 2010, hands down.

Worst drink you’ve had: I was introduced to spicy margaritas the other night.  The experience is both bizarre and awesome at the same time.  I don’t think that answers the question, but I’m sticking with it.

Favorite grooming product: LS&B Pucka Grooming Creme.  It’s the stuff that doesn’t look like you put anything in your hair, but allows you to tame it and adds the slightest bit of shine.

Worst fashion trend today: Anything neon.  Not into it at all.

Brands you like: Band of Outsiders, Billy Reid, Gant, Moscot

Back to The Motley:

Where do you see the site in 2 years? If all goes well and the funds start rolling in by the millions, what will you do with said cash?

Those are two loaded questions.  The goal of the site from the beginning was to bring together the best collection of products we could find, extraordinary customer support and ultimately change the way that men buy grooming products.  If all goes well, we’ll have a larger selection, a larger clientele and larger team. Other than that, everything will stay the way it is.  On the personal side, I’ve wanted to spend some more time in Berlin.

Any plans for a brick and mortar?

I’m breaking the news a bit early, but we’re planning a winter apothecary and general goods pop-up shop in Downtown LA for November and December.  We’re so excited since it is our first time venturing into brick and mortar.

What advice do you have for others trying to other start down their own dream path or just struggling to figure out what to do in life?

The Motley grew out of a thought I woke up to in the middle of the night and then I started doing an immense amount of research.  I e-mailed people and talked to them.  That’s the number one thing.  People are accessible – get in contact with them.

Finally, if you were to go a different direction in life, what would you be doing?

I love documentary film and music and I do that as well.  I don’t know, I’m pretty content.

Personally, I became a cheerleader for the Lock, Stock & Barrel grooming clay, part of the collection of goods Matt sent my way. Check it and a whole slew of top-of-the-line products for men at The Motley.

- WGP