A Scottish influencer with an online following of over 620,000 is expanding his hair care range for men, following a funding boost from the Investment Fund for Scotland.

Delivered through DSL Business Finance, a £70,000 loan from the British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Scotland will now help Robin to expand the range further, scale up manufacturing and grow his Edinburgh-based team.

Robin James (pictured above), known online as Man For Himself, has spent over a decade advising his followers on male grooming products and techniques before deciding to turn his hand to creating his own line last year.

After receiving 50,000 responses to a questionnaire confirming what he thought the market was lacking, he launched a texture volume spray and brand called Anforh, which has so far been a big hit across the UK and USA.

Robin started his blog and YouTube channel in 2013, using the skills and experience gained from working in journalism and media with Sky, ITV and Channel 4 to build an online platform dedicated to male grooming.

As it grew in popularity, it became Robin’s full-time job and has evolved to include articles and videos with hair care, skincare, fragrance and fashion tips, also on Instagram and TikTok.

Having tried and tested thousands of products for the purpose of creating content, Robin felt that there was something missing from his hair care collection that could help with both thickness and styling in one bottle. He now has his sights set on partnering up with luxury department stores and beauty brands to get Anforh into the hands of even more customers.

Robin James said: “Since launching Anforh last year, we’ve sold thousands of units to customers all over the world, but now want to take that to the next stage. The range is about much more than just styling products – it is the result of years of audience research, applied to meet the real needs of real people.

I have already moved into a new studio and hired an additional team member, but funding was an essential part of being able to scale up further. The loan from the Investment Fund for Scotland will not only help us to grow the brand but also solidify its position as a key player in the male grooming industry.”

Mark Sterritt, Director, Nations and Regions Funds, at the British Business Bank, said: “It is fantastic to see the impact that the Investment Fund for Scotland has had since it launched less than a year ago.

Entrepreneurs like Robin, from a diverse mix of sectors all over Scotland, have been able to access critical funding to help their businesses grow and thrive. Anforh is a business built upon solid research from Robin’s highly engaged community and we look forward to seeing the brand develop.”

Iain Burnside, chief operating officer at DSL Business Finance, added: “We’re proud to support innovative ideas like Anforh. Robin has created a brand that truly resonates with his audience. In support of his business loan application, he presented a clear and focused business plan, backed by detailed, up-to-date financials.

It is great to see how funding from the Investment Fund for Scotland is helping him to grow his business. The loan has given him the resources to expand both his operations and team, which reflects the hard work and vision driving Anforh forward. We look forward to seeing the brand continue to thrive in the male grooming industry.”

The £150 million Investment Fund for Scotland launched in October 2023 and offers loans ranging from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investments up to £5 million. The fund is part of the Bank’s commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth by supporting smaller businesses across Scotland.