Post-departure, Cooper’s personal channel and Instagram Reels became laser-focused on education (e.g., “How to fix a crooked fade” or “Shear work deep dive”). Meanwhile, Brand pivoted further into product launches and entertainment. It appears Cooper simply wanted to teach, while Brand wanted to entertain and sell. This is often overlooked. The Brand of Brothers is physically rooted in Vancouver, Canada . Cooper, however, has deep ties to the United States (specifically the Pacific Northwest).
Insiders suggest that Cooper wanted to build something he owned . He launched his own education platform, , and began focusing on one-on-one mentoring. Staying at Brand would have split his energy between the group’s commercial interests and his personal teaching goals. Ultimately, he chose himself. 2. Creative Differences in Content Direction The Brand of Brothers started as raw, unfiltered barbershop content. Over time, it evolved. The channel began featuring more product-focused videos, sponsored segments, and lifestyle vlogs—shifting away from pure, technical haircutting education. why cooper left brand
For the uninitiated, "Cooper" refers to Jim Cooper, a charismatic and skilled barber who rose to fame as a core member of the Brand of Brothers (often stylized as Brand x ). The Brand—a media house, barbershop, and lifestyle brand founded by Matty Conrad, Josh Lamonaca, and Dan Born—became a powerhouse in the men’s grooming space. Their YouTube channel, featuring haircut tutorials and product reviews, amassed millions of views. This is often overlooked
While no non-compete clause has ever been publicly confirmed, it’s common in these partnerships that a core on-camera talent cannot simultaneously build a competing education brand. Rather than force a messy legal confrontation, both sides likely agreed to part ways professionally. Insiders suggest that Cooper wanted to build something
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.
Cooper’s passion has always been the craft : the geometry of a fade, the psychology of a consultation, the repetition of skill-building. Multiple fan analyses note that in Cooper’s final months at Brand, his individual video style seemed more subdued, as if he was going through the motions.