A quiet, amicable split allowed Cooper to relocate without burning bridges—something he has successfully maintained (he still follows and occasionally comments on Brand members’ posts). Even before leaving, Cooper was developing his own line of educational products and barber tools. At a certain point, those side projects began to compete with Brand’s commercial interests.
However, working under the Brand umbrella meant sharing the spotlight. The revenue, creative direction, and long-term equity belonged to the founding trio (Matty, Josh, and Dan). Cooper was a vital team member, but not a co-owner of the core Brand entity.
Then, in late 2022, Cooper was gone. No dramatic fallout. No public mudslinging. Just a quiet departure that left fans speculating.
If you follow the niche but passionate world of men’s grooming, fashion, or lifestyle media, you’ve likely seen the question echoing across Reddit, YouTube comments, and Twitter threads: Why did Cooper leave Brand?
While he lived in Vancouver during his peak Brand years, the pandemic changed priorities. Border restrictions, remote work normalization, and family considerations made a cross-border professional arrangement exhausting. Sources close to Cooper noted that he wanted to be closer to his U.S.-based clients and family, reducing the constant travel and visa complexities.
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