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.
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. why cooper left brand
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). While no non-compete clause has ever been publicly
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. Meanwhile, Brand pivoted further into product launches and
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.
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.
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.