Two entrepreneurs – both just out of high school – are on a mission to get the young men of Aotearoa smelling good, with the launch of a new personal hygiene business called Funk.

Funk founders Toby Downs (18) and Floyd Langdon (18) have some heavy backers for their enterprise, with seed funding and continued backing from The Prince’s Trust and support from The Beauty Lab Collective. They are mentored by Dion Nash from Triumph and Disaster and business leader, board director and author David Downs.

The enterprise has already brought accolades. The pair were honoured with a Young Enterprise Scheme Award for Excellence in Marketing and Communications for Funk in late 2023.

Downs says he and Floyd established Funk knowing the men’s personal hygiene market was a difficult one to crack.

“There are many products available to young men aged 13 to 30, but they’re generally overpowering and often produced overseas.

“Funk’s combo pack of roll-on deodorant and atomized spray-on cologne offer men tasteful-smelling alternatives. We consulted with local perfumiers and came up with the fragrances, using touches of local ingredients.

Langdon says market research shows young men want to transition from overpowering and immature aerosols to more sophisticated offerings.

“Men struggle to find personal hygiene products that work well with each other and provide balanced, pleasant fragrances that don’t break the bank.

Langdon adds that research shows sustainability is important to Kiwis.

“We have been intentional in sourcing as much as we can within NZ, lowering our carbon footprint. Our products are recyclable and aerosol-free, and our deodorant is aluminium-free.

“Funk products allows young men to confidently embrace a more mature route of personal hygiene and grooming. You don’t need to smell like a skunk or a punk!”

There is currently one Funk fragrance available for each product, with more in development. The cologne is called Add Ya Funk No. 1 with green, marine, citrus and cedar notes. The Anti Skunk No. 1 deodorant has a clean, marine fragrance with light green, citrus top notes; mid notes of violet leaf and kanuka; and a smooth sandalwood base. The combo pack is priced at an attractive price point: $39.90.

The venture will also support charities. For every Combo Pack sold, Funk commits to donating $1 to two selected charities each quarter. One of these charities will be dedicated to environmental causes.

Funk products are available via its website, funkyou.co.nz. Conversations are underway with major retailers to stock Funk products within 12 months.

Editor’s notes

Toby Downs has had previous business success. At the age of 13 he co-founded (with Tataiarangi Baker) Gifteen, an innovative online store designed for teenagers and their parents. The business turned over more than $10,000 before it was rested so the pair could focus on their studies.

Floyd Langdon is an entrepreneur and a former stage magician. In 2017 he co-created and performed in ‘The Magic Show for David’ which raised over $11,000 for a young man battling a life-threatening illness.

Downs and Langdon have been best friends since Year 2. They have a shared enthusiasm for the classic teenage boy thing, cars. Downs and Langdon also plan to pursue further study in the business and commerce field. With Downs’s eye for detail and Langdon’s creative flair, establishing Funk was a natural progression of their friendship, built on trust and mutual respect. They live in Devonport, Auckland.