I did it. I grew my Mo’ (that’s slang for moustache). And what a wild ride it has been. What started off as a simple gesture to support a client (PCF) and a cause (Movember for men’s cancers), became a personal test of dedication and perseverance. I know, we’re talking about some facial hair on the top of my lip at the end of the day. But as my wife often tells me, I am a vain Wain. And I do care about appearances, particularly in the work place. So with a full slate of meetings and pitches set up throughout the month of November, there was certainly some anxiety about letting my follicles run wild. And that anxiety was going into full force week one.

Can see the little fuzz just prior to catching a train to New York.

I had to travel to New York for a new prospect meeting at the Harvard Club and partner networking event at the historic New York Public Library. As my colleagues can attest, I had SERIOUS reservations about hitting both with the peach fuzz and contemplated breaking out the old trusty Gillette. But I sucked it up, got all decked out in a suit and tie, and sported the infant Mo’ for all of New York to see. All I kept thinking about on the train ride up is that the folks in my meeting would be staring at my lip and if it were me, would I really want to do business and talk to a dude with a weak attempt at growing a ‘stache? But much to my surprise and delight, I was greeted at both venues with “you’re doing Movember aren’t you?” Suddenly feeling like the guy from the Old Spice commercial I proudly replied—YES I AM!

Week two—the stubble started to turn into real hair and I was getting some serious attention. Every time a colleague would walk into my office, I would either get a smirk, a chuckle, a double take, or a full blown laughing attack (Cheryl Haar). As I posted on my Facebook page, I felt like a cross between Tom Selleck and the fictitious Dirk Diggler (see Boogie Nights). But again, I was shocked when one of our clients came in for a meeting and immediately said to me “Good for you Lance—I take it you’re doing Movember.” He told me he donates to the cause on an annual basis, but couldn’t go through with growing the Mo’. I was starting to feel proud of what I was doing and riding some serious Mo’Jo.

Ever more confident in week three, and heading into the Turkey holiday, I had to mix it up a little bring some flavor to the face.

This opened up a whole new round of critiques.

These are some of the comments that I jotted down:

From one of my friends—Fu Man Jew.
From a female colleague—OMG—Ew….
From a  male colleague—Fierce, Lance. Really fierce.
From my 5-year-old niece—You look like a man from the highway.
From my sister-in-law—I’ll give you 500 bucks to shave it off.

While the last offer was tempting, at this point, nothing was going to get in the way of me and my Mo’. In fact, I found myself looking forward to each morning to do a little trim and manicure to make it looked polished for the day.

How time flew. Yesterday was the end of the month, and just as my Mo’ has really become a part of me, the campaign came to a close.

Me and my full grown Mo’.

So what are my key takeaways from this experience?

1) I actually enjoyed being a walking billboard for Movember and raising a few bucks for men’s cancer research in the process.
2) I had no idea there was so much recognition for Movember and what a successful viral brand it has become.
3) As attached as I have become to my Mo’, I don’t believe moustaches are making a comeback anytime soon (although it’s December 2 and I still haven’t shaved).

Speaking of viral, yesterday the entire Grafik team sported fake Mo’s and surprised me with a small celebration showing their amazing support. It was hilariously touching. See for yourself.

Grafik get hairy for Lance's Movember Suprise