Influencers Megan and Collin Gray Of Fable Beard On How To Build A Large, Loyal, & Engaged Social Media Community
An Interview With Karen Mangia
Fable Beard Co. builds a loyal social media following through storytelling, engaging directly with our community, and creating fun, interactive campaigns. By showcasing authenticity and behind-the-scenes moments, we make followers feel like part of the brand’s journey. Our exclusive groups and creative contests drive deeper connections, while celebrating customer stories and experiences. These strategies foster a strong sense of belonging and trust, turning followers into lifelong fans.
We often use the term “Influencers” to describe people with significant social media followings on platforms like Instagram, Twitter TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Influencers have become today’s media titans, sought after for everything from product placements to timely trends. What’s the difference between influence and impact? Fans and followers? Sizzle versus staying power?
In this interview series, called, “How To Cultivate Community In A Click to Connect World” we are talking to influencers about how they define success and what we all need to discover about the true nature of influence. As a part of this series I had the pleasure of interviewing Megan and Collin Gray.
Megan and Collin Gray are the married duo behind Fable Beard Co. and Fable Beauty Supply, the beard and beauty brands sweeping the nation with their unique storytelling and quality products. Both avid storytellers, Megan (The Princess) and Collin (The Wizard) believe in building up their community of adventurers, and they strive to build a world where everyone feels welcome. The Princess and Wizard are based in Tennessee, where they spend their time outside the “Fableverse” with their three children and family dog.
Thank you for making time to visit with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. How did you discover your career path and what got you to where you are today?
Thank you so much for sharing our story! Fable Beard Co. began as a labor of love — quite literally. My husband started growing a beard because I’ve always adored facial hair on men. What began as a hobby — reviewing beard care products on YouTube — quickly turned into a passion project. The only problem? I couldn’t stand how most of the products smelled! Determined to create something truly exceptional, we decided to launch our own brand with one clear goal: to make every scent irresistible. And so, Fable Beard Co. was born — a perfect blend of creativity, quality, and love. With the growth of Fable Beard Co, we were able to launch Fable Beauty around a year ago which has been the perfect blend of masculine and feminine.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned along the way that influences how you operate now?
Running a business can be challenging, but it’s also an incredible adventure! When things get tough, take a moment to remember why you started — your passion and purpose are what make the journey worthwhile. There’s always a solution waiting to be found, so don’t be discouraged by obstacles. Keep your focus on the big picture and celebrate every step forward. With determination and a positive outlook, you’ll overcome anything and keep building something amazing!
We’re all searching for some good news. How are you using your platform to make a positive social impact?
At Fable, our mission is all about creating a vibrant, fun, and imaginative community where everyone can join in on an epic adventure. We’re building more than just a brand — we’re crafting a culture where customers and creators come together to share their stories. Through our community groups, we connect directly with our customers, fostering real conversations and meaningful interactions. We celebrate their victories, stand by them during challenges and make it a point to truly be a part of their lives. After all, our tagline says it all: #EveryBeardHasAStory, #EveryBeautyHasAStory.Let’s write these adventures together!
Many of our readers are influencers as well. Others have tried and have yet to succeed. What words of advice would you offer to aspiring influencers, knowing what you know now?
If you strive to master just one skill, let it be the art of consistency. Show up every day and do what needs to be done, even when motivation wanes. Success isn’t about perfection — it’s about persistence. Stay dedicated, keep your “why” at the forefront, and never lose sight of the bigger picture. With consistency, anything is possible.
Success is often a matter of perspective. I’ve always resonated with Henry David Thoreau’s quote, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” How do you see success — or define success — for yourself now?
To me, success is about building a life that aligns with your core values. Everyone is driven by unique personal motivators, and for me, it’s the joy of working alongside my husband, involving our kids in the journey, embracing creativity and inspiring those around us. If I achieve nothing else, I hope to empower others to dream big and believe in their potential.
What are your strategies to make room for who and what matters most?
Aligning my values with my work is essential. My husband and I wholeheartedly believe that when we prioritize quality time with the people who matter most, it fuels our success in day-to-day operations. As a family, we thrive on collaboration, constantly bouncing around new ideas and embracing creativity together. In fact, some of our best-selling products were inspired by our son Brayden’s ideas! If we didn’t make time to connect and share as a family, we might have missed those incredible opportunities. For us, family isn’t just part of the journey — it’s at the heart of everything we do.
How do you reduce or mitigate stress?
My husband is a powerhouse — a solid wall of muscle with over a decade of weightlifting experience. Somewhere along the way, he dragged me (kicking and screaming) into the gym, and now I haven’t missed a single day since. We also invested in a sauna, and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer. I’m so passionate about it that you’d think we were in the sauna business with how much I rave about it!
I’m going to try a few of your tips, and I’m hopeful our readers will, too. Now it’s time for the big reveal — the moment our readers have been anticipating. What are your “five strategies to cultivate a large & engaged social media community?’
Fable Beard Co. builds a loyal social media following through storytelling, engaging directly with our community, and creating fun, interactive campaigns. By showcasing authenticity and behind-the-scenes moments, we make followers feel like part of the brand’s journey. Our exclusive groups and creative contests drive deeper connections, while celebrating customer stories and experiences. These strategies foster a strong sense of belonging and trust, turning followers into lifelong fans.
What do you do to create a greater sense of connection and community among your fans?
We truly believe passion is contagious. We’re so passionate about our brand and our customers that we want to be a part of it all! Engaging with people is incredibly fulfilling, and while we sometimes get caught up in the day-to-day running of the business, it’s the most joyful part of what we do. Connecting with our community is what makes it all worth it.
As an influencer, you are, by definition, a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
This one comes easily to me: the power of kindness, especially when it’s hardest. On tough days, practicing gratitude can shift your perspective, and I promise it will improve your mood. When others are struggling, kindness goes a long way. Compliments never fall on deaf ears — they can brighten someone’s day in ways you might not even realize. Many people face negativity, so being a positive force in their world can make all the difference.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world with whom you’d like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He, she or they might just see this. 🙂
Without a doubt, Sara Blakely. She’s brilliant, and I’d love to have just five minutes with her to soak up a bit of her genius. Also, Brian Callahan, head coach of the Titans. Coaching a team — win or lose — is incredibly challenging, and I’d love to learn how to lead our crew with that same sense of unity and determination. In the end, we win together, or we lose together. Also, GO TITANS!!
What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?
You can find us on social media at Instagram @FableBeardCo and @FableBeautyByThePrincess. Visit our website at www.FableBeardCo.com and sign up for email updates for all the latest news and insights into our brand. Don’t forget to join our Facebook group, Fable Storytellers, for even more fun and community engagement!
Thank you for these thought-provoking insights. Here’s to your continued success!
Influencers Megan and Collin Gray Of Fable Beard On How To Build A Large, Loyal, & Engaged Social… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.