If you’ve spent any time in the fountain pen hobby over the last decade, you know the name Drew Brown. For thirteen years, he was the charismatic, bubbly, and often hilariously caffeinated face of the Goulet Pen Company. He and Brian Goulet had that "childhood best friends" energy that made the weekly Goulet Pencast feel less like a sales pitch and more like hanging out in a garage with your two funniest buddies.
Then, in September 2024, the screen went quiet. Drew was gone.
No big farewell video. No "best of" compilation. Just a jarringly brief statement in Pencast 149 and a lot of confused fans. People were blindsided. Honestly, the fountain pen world hasn’t been this shook since the Noodler's ink controversies. Since we are now well into 2026, the dust has finally settled, and we can look back at the full timeline of what happened to Drew Brown at Goulet Pens and, more importantly, where he landed.
The Separation: Why Drew Left Goulet Pens
The official word from Goulet Pens was that it was a "mutual separation." Brian Goulet noted they had been discussing it for months. But if you talk to anyone in the community or look at the actual timeline, that story felt... off.
Drew didn't get a "send-off" video. For a guy who had been the literal face of their YouTube channel for over a decade, that was a massive red flag. Fans quickly sniffed out that this wasn't just a friendly career move.
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In subsequent interviews, specifically on The Pen Addict and Gourmet Pens, Drew eventually confirmed what many suspected: he was let go. He didn't quit. He was fired.
The Mystery of the "Why"
Why would a company fire its most popular personality? We don’t have a signed confession, but the timing was suspicious. It coincided with a massive controversy involving the Goulets' involvement with a highly conservative, anti-LGBTQ+ church. While Brian and Rachel Goulet maintained that their private beliefs were separate from their business, the community wasn't buying it.
Drew, on the other hand, had always been a vocal, "wear-his-heart-on-his-sleeve" ally. Many speculate that the friction between the company's new public image and Drew’s personal values became a bridge too far. Others think it was a simple business disagreement—perhaps a demand for partnership or a higher salary that the Goulets weren't willing to meet.
Whatever the spark, the result was the same. Drew was out. He was unemployed. He was selling stickers on his own just to keep the lights on for a few months.
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The Comeback: President of Fahrney’s Pens
If you thought Drew Brown was going to fade into the background and start a career in insurance, you clearly don't know the man. After a few months of "soul-searching" (and probably a lot of anxiety), a massive opportunity landed in his lap.
In December 2024, the industry was rocked again by the news that Writeside Holdings (the group behind Retro 51) had acquired the legendary Fahrney’s Pens.
And who did they tap to run the whole show? Drew Brown.
It wasn't just a new job; it was a promotion to President.
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It’s actually a bit of a "Cinderella story" for the stationery world. He went from being an employee at a digital-first shop to running one of the most historic brick-and-mortar pen institutions in Washington, D.C. He’s spent 2025 and early 2026 dragging Fahrney’s—which was always a bit "old school"—into the modern era.
Where is Drew Brown now?
As of early 2026, Drew is thriving. If you follow the Fahrney’s YouTube channel or catch him at the pen shows, he looks like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. He’s doing what he does best: making pen videos, but this time, he’s the one calling the shots.
What he’s been up to lately:
- Modernizing Fahrney’s: He’s revamped their digital presence and brought back the personality-driven marketing that made him famous.
- The DWRDNET Project: He’s been active with his own stationery feeds, keeping that direct connection with fans that he built over thirteen years.
- Pen Show Circuit: You’ll still see him at the big shows, but he's usually wearing the Fahrney's badge now.
It’s weird to think about Goulet without Drew, but the hobby has moved on. The Goulet Pencast still exists, but the dynamic is fundamentally different. Brian has taken on more of the "entertainer" role, though many fans feel it lacks the organic chemistry that Drew brought to the table.
Actionable Takeaways for Pen Fans
If you’ve been out of the loop and are just now realizing your favorite pen guy is gone, here is how to stay connected:
- Subscribe to Fahrney’s Pens on YouTube: This is where Drew’s "official" work lives now. It’s the closest thing you’ll get to the old Pencast vibes.
- Follow Drew’s Personal Channels: He still engages heavily on social media and through his own projects. He’s much more accessible now than he was when he was behind the Goulet corporate curtain.
- Support the Person, Not Just the Brand: The biggest lesson from the Drew Brown saga is that in small hobbies like this, the people matter. If you liked Drew for his personality, follow him to his new home. Fahrney’s has seen a huge surge in business from "Team Drew" loyalists.
The "separation" was messy, and the silence from Goulet Pens left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths. But in the end, Drew landed on his feet in a bigger role than he ever could have had at his old job. It turns out that being the "face of the company" is great, but being the President of the company is even better.
Check out the latest Fahrney’s catalog or their YouTube channel to see the new era of Drew Brown in action—he’s still the same guy, just with a better title and more creative freedom.