| Tell us about your company: |
| Henkey’s, named for my grandpa, is a curated men’s grooming retailer, think Sephora for men. It’s born from a simple idea: when men take care of themselves, they show up better for everyone else. Because we all know about the “paradox of choice”, Henkey’s handpicks high-performance products that meet rigorous standards for quality, science, and style. In the end, we offer a confidence-boosting shopping experience designed for busy, driven men—built with the same dedication to excellence that USC instills in its alumni. |
| What inspired you to start your business? |
| I’ve been working and teaching in the beauty industry for more than a decade and I’ve watched men’s grooming sales stay stagnant for most of that time. Then just after the pandemic I saw the sales numbers skyrocket. First I thought I’d start a brand selling products but when I saw how crowded that market is I realized there was no multi-brand retail destination for men wanting grooming products. And away we went!. |
| What are your proudest achievements so far? |
| I love our product assortment. We spent a lot of time really making sure we understood the needs of men – the solutions they’re looking for – and then we set out finding products that solved those needs. |
| What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs: |
| If you know someday you will start something, then start now. I don’t mean launch the business, I mean start building the support structure around it. One of the places I’ve had the best success doing that is through my involvement with the USC Alumni Association. My lawyer, my accountant, my consultants… all Trojans, all met through USCAA. And don’t be transactional about it. These people are my friends first, and through those friendships, they have also become trusted colleagues. |
| Please share a memory or thought about your alma mater: |
| USC has always been more than a school to me—it’s a place where ambition is the norm and support is the culture. When President Carol Folt arrived at USC, she told me she was amazed by how often alumni asked, ‘How can I help?’ She’d never seen that anywhere else. That spirit of generosity has shaped not just my career, but how I show up in the world. |
Alumni Emporium 