/C O R R E C T I O N -- BetterDays/

Trusted by an elite roster of high-profile clientele ranging from President Barack Obama to Tom Brady, VicBlends brings unmatched cultural fluency and a built-in community of more than 23 million followers across social media. After years behind the barber chair and on the ground in communities across the country, Vic is using his platform to transform how men see themselves and build confidence from the inside out. He has given free cuts to young boys and men in need on the streets of Atlanta, New York, and across the country, using the barber chair as a vehicle for connection, confidence, and empowerment. In August 2025, he took that mission even further, opening VicBlends Academy at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, California—the first licensed barber school inside a California state prison—giving incarcerated men the opportunity to learn a trade and work toward earning their state barber license. Grounded in his faith, Vic has built a platform that goes far beyond grooming, using his craft to create tangible pathways to confidence, opportunity, and a second chance.

"I've seen firsthand how a fresh haircut isn't just about the looks; it's a mental reset that immediately lifts you up," said Victor Fontanez, Founder of BetterDays. "But true confidence goes deeper. I overcame my own mental health struggles and a BP1 diagnosis, and I used my faith in God to push through. I learned how doing small things for yourself daily will add up to get you where you want to be. I want to encourage other young men dealing with mental health issues to talk about their struggles and embrace vulnerability and brotherhood. After a long career in the barbershop and being firsthand in my community, I've been inspired to bring that confidence to shelves for men, young men, and boys of all ages. Every hair texture will have an option to experience this at home and in their bathrooms. From back to school, to first dates, to game day and beyond, BetterDays is about transforming self-perceptions, loving yourself, and taking it one day at a time."

Operating as the strategic powerhouse behind the brand, BetterDays CEO Joey Thomas brings his disciplined retail strategy and proven DUDE Wipes growth playbook to ensure the brand scales profitably while maintaining its cultural authenticity. Incubated by Root, BetterDays is backed by $7 million in funding, with lead investors Maveron and Will Ventures, alongside strategic investment from cultural heavyweights like Lil Baby.

"For too long, the men's grooming aisle has forced guys to choose between gimmicky, outdated marketing and bland products that simply don't perform. This is especially true for textured, wavy, curly, and coily hair," said Joey Thomas, Co-Founder and CEO of BetterDays. "By pairing Vic's authentic barbershop expertise with a disciplined, high-performance product strategy, we are raising the baseline for the entire men's self-care category. BetterDays was built to prove that premium ingredients and real functionality should be accessible to everyone, and we're excited to scale a brand that actually serves men today."

How It Works
BetterDays launches with two products that fit seamlessly into real life without overcomplicating the daily routine. 100% made in the USA, these two accessible, barber-grade formulas utilize premium ingredients and are paired with "Scent No. 26," a custom-developed signature fragrance that elevates grooming to an intentional and memorable daily ritual.

• Rebound Cream (Leave-In Conditioner) ($20): A lightweight, no-grease daily hydrator engineered with professional-grade conditioning agents like Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, and Pro-Vitamin B5 (Panthenol). It deeply nourishes dry hair, reduces inflammation, and strengthens follicles.  
• Grip Powder (Hair Texture Powder) ($20): A high-performance, lighter-than-air powder that delivers instant lift, grip, and all-day control without weight, shine, or white residue. Powered by natural oil absorbers like Arrowroot Powder and Silica, it provides flexible styling control and a clean, matte finish.

BetterDays is available for purchase at BetterDaysHair.com, TikTok Shop, and Amazon. 

ABOUT BETTERDAYS
BetterDays is a men's grooming brand co-founded by celebrity master barber VicBlends (Victor Fontanez) and veteran retail executive Joey Thomas. BetterDays transforms men's grooming from a functional chore into a daily ritual of confidence, mental wellness, and self-expression. Rooted in barbershop culture and made to bring the energy and quality of the barbershop home, the brand offers performance-first, texture-inclusive haircare formulas engineered to help men look good, feel good, and show up as their best selves every day. BetterDays is available for purchase across BetterDaysHair.com, TikTok Shop, and Amazon.

Correction: An earlier version of this release incorrectly listed the BetterDays company website as BetterDays.com, that has been corrected to BetterDaysHair.com and an update has been made to the hyperlink associated with the text "Joey Thomas."

SOURCE BetterDays