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Lessons from Unfinished Man's Co-Founder on Building a Leading Men's Lifestyle Brand

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Published
08/09/2023

When Chad Barnsdale launched Unfinished Man back in 2010, it began as a passion project - a place for no-frills advice to help everyday men reach their potential. Over a decade later, this scrappy startup has evolved into one of the leading online destinations for the modern male.

I had the chance to sit down with Chad and learn his playbook for building a brand that resonates. In this exclusive interview, the Unfinished Man co-founder shares how he transformed his blog into a powerhouse in the competitive luxury lifestyle space through smart content strategies, an unwavering mission, and truly understanding his audience of ambitious men.

For any entrepreneur looking to turn their idea into a sustainable, scalable business, Chad provides invaluable lessons on growth, engagement, and crafting content people love. From humble beginnings to major success story, this is the inside look at the Unfinished Man journey.

An Interview With Chad Barnsdale, Co-Founder of Unfinished Man


Q: As a luxury lifestyle blogger, what inspired you to start Unfinished Man? What was your vision for the site?

A: I've always been passionate about men's fashion, grooming, and lifestyle topics. In my early 20s, I realized there was a lack of sites catering to the everyday man who wanted straightforward advice without the fluff. That sparked the idea for Unfinished Man - a place guys could go to become the best versions of themselves.

 

Q: How did you go about turning your passion for men's lifestyle topics into a successful business? What were some of the early challenges?

A: In the beginning, it was just my business partner Faisal and me writing all the content ourselves. We had to hustle to build an audience and make enough money through ads and affiliate partnerships to turn it into a viable business. It took time to find our voice and figure out the kinds of posts that resonated most with our readers.

 

Q: What does a typical day look like for you as co-founder of a popular site like Unfinished Man?

A: These days, I oversee a team of writers and spend my time on high-level strategy, planning content calendars, developing new site features, and ensuring we continue to grow. It's not glamorous, but seeing how we've helped men become more confident and successful makes it all worthwhile.

 

Q: How do you come up with content ideas and make sure they will resonate with your target audience? What's your content creation process?

A: I'm always observing trends, talking to our readers, and digging through analytics to come up with content ideas. We look at what performs well and also anticipate men's needs. I write a few posts per week myself on topics I'm passionate about. I especially love creating gift guides and roundups of the best products for guys.

 

Q: What are some of your favorite kinds of posts to create for the site? Which get the best engagement?

A: I especially love creating gift guides and roundups of the best products for guys. Those really seem to resonate with our audience and drive a lot of traffic and engagement.

 

Q: How has Unfinished Man evolved over the past 10+ years? How do you keep the content fresh and engaging?

A: The site has evolved a lot over the years as the internet and our audience have changed. We've expanded into new categories like travel, added more video content, and focused on quality over quantity. But our mission remains the same - empowering men to reach their potential.

 

Conclusion

After speaking with Chad, it's clear that Unfinished Man's rise to the top was no accident. By staying relentlessly focused on serving his audience, evolving with the times, and creating consistently compelling content, Chad transformed a personal passion project into one of the leading men's lifestyle sites.

While the road from scrappy startup to industry leader wasn't always smooth, Unfinished Man proves that with a clear vision, the right strategies, and a connection to your core audience, major success is possible. For any entrepreneur looking to build an engaging brand, Chad Barnsdale provides a blueprint worth studying.

The Unfinished Man story is a testament to the power of understanding your consumers and evolving with the times. Chad shows that with authenticity and smart growth strategies, you can turn passion into profit.

You can keep up with the Unfinished Man team and their latest lifestyle content by following them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Their social channels provide another glimpse into their brand, voice, and community.

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