Rich Gersten’s Post

⚡️ Investing in Beauty: Understanding the Industry’s Growth Catalysts Moderated by Ilya Seglin, Managing Director Threadstone Capital Capital Darryl Thompson, Chief Investment Officer New Voices Fund Fund  📍Ensure you align your cost structure with the business strategy to see how you will become profitable after you have proven the model works. We live in a cyclical environment. Choices will matter more as capital continues to remain scarce in '24 and brands crave more support. Cristina Nuñez, Co-Founder & Managing Director True Beauty Ventures 📍Continue to have cautious optimism. It's ok to shoot for stars as long as you have a model that is flexible if you don't get there. Michele Miyakawa, Managing Director & Partner Moelis & Company 📍Think about four things: #1 is FED rates (15 yrs 0-2%), deficit spending ($33 trillion in debt; interest more than what we spend on government), China (growth engine for the world) & geo-political stability post cold war…. Can those four things repeat for the next four years? Will you survive? Presca Ahn, Director L'Oréal 📍Sometimes having a great business is not enough. You can make all the right decisions, you’ve executed --> but the timing is bad. No company is stronger than the market. So be aware of the market; expect the tide to still be going out in ‘24. Brands will soon need to raise and it’s going to be very challenging. Kisaco Research - Beauty Connect - Emma Forrest - Amy Beck - Amy Connolly - Beauty Connect Series #Growth #Beauty #BeautyConnect #AlwaysLearning

Don't forget about today's live chat! There is still time to register🤩 Join us for this panel discussion between industry experts as they discuss what it looks like to secure venture capital and highlight how VC’s help new brands in the beverage alcohol industry. Learn about what VC’s look for in new brand investments, upcoming trends and recent success stories!

Who is an early stage beauty investor? Ten years ago, it was your rich uncle who'd write you a cheque just so you'd pipe down at Thanksgiving dinner 🦃 . Today, a qualified founder has variety of professional VCs (not to mention specialized Angels and Incubators) to turn to. While the space is far better served than ever before, we're not quite at the promised land. Dig a little and it seems that most VCs are backing the same kind of brands (US-based prestige assets) who are pursuing similar paths (DTC, then scale with Ulta Beauty or SEPHORA). Now if most VCs are essentially funding the same strategy, then how will they differentiate themselves and what does this mean for brands that don’t fit this playbook? This is just one of the questions I will be asking a great group of panelists at the upcoming Beauty Independent Dealmaker Summit NYC in NYC on June 17 - 18: Manica Blain of Top Knot Ventures Inc., a firm that has quietly built an impressive beauty and wellness portfolio that includes Blume, Iris&Romeo and Saharan. Diana Melencio of XRC Ventures, a VC firm that is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most prolific investors in the sector with investments in Minu, Solawave and ScentLabs. Cristina Nuñez of Beacon Award winning True Beauty Ventures, the OG of pure-play early-stage beauty investing with an enviable portfolio that includes Crown Affair , The 7 Virtues Beauty Inc. and Vacation Inc. Anna Whiteman of Coefficient Capital, a VC that has leaned much more into Wellness with investments that include Hawthorne, Hydrant and Lemme. And this is just one of 14 amazing panels at the Summit! Interested? Of course you are 😉 . Now hurry and secure your ticket here (https://rb.gy/dwsg2d.) before we run out! #weareindiebeauty #hereforthefierce #beauty #beautybusiness #beautyindustry #beautybrands #beautyretail #beautyentrepeneur #cosmetics #skincare #haircare #beautyinvesting #venturecapital #venturefunding #acquisitions

Introducing Natalie E., the founder of fjör, the world’s first hydrolytic enzyme skincare brand. Our ethos revolves around paving a new era of skincare, by getting people to do the fewest number of steps in their routine and achieving their best and healthiest skin yet. I started fjör off the back quitting my previous role on a whim (safe to say, it instilled a certain level of scepticism within my family). It was a huge risk, but I felt like I needed to do it and as cliché, it was now or never. I had a strong vision of creating a brand that made people feel good about themselves. As you can imagine being a new entrepreneur, I was completely out of my depth, and there was an endless knowledge gap that I needed to start to fill. I started with the area I knew best: branding, and worked backwards – ultimately finding the product later down the line with tremendous scientific innovation. Unconventional to say the least, but it took taking this risk to create something I’m immensely proud of and something that fulfils that exact purpose I set out to realise. The brand, team and possibilities have grown tremendously, and I’m excited for what the future holds. Why Founders' Social? If it wasn’t for communities such as Founders' Social, it would’ve made things a lot more challenging for me. I was a solo founder for almost 2 years. There are so many moments where you feel decision inertia, loneliness or simply out of depth. It’s especially in these moments I’m grateful for these kinds of communities. One where you can ask for real and unsolicited advice from women who truly understand what it means to be in this position. It’s a beautiful and nurturing environment, and it makes being an entrepreneur that little bit less daunting. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories showcasing the remarkable businesses established by our incredible founders from Founders' Social, With love, Founders’ Social Team 💫 #MeetOurMember #InvestInWomen #FoundersSocial #EmpowerHer #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #FemaleFounders

How do brands attract venture capital firms? Well, great marketing is a big part of it. Big Nose Kate Whiskey (part of our Portfolio Fund II) is a prime example. They prove it's not just about what's in the bottle, but the story behind it. Here are 4 things that set this brand apart and helped seal the deal becoming a Springdale brand: 🥃⁠ A FUN BACKSTORY: Big Nose Kate, BNK, is the "greatest story never told." The infamous cowgirl ran the wild west, but her entrepreneurial accomplishments and big personality didn't make many history books - until a whiskey was named after her. 🥃⁠ A (WO)MAN'S WORLD: The whiskey world has countless brands named after men, so BNK is a refreshing change that introduced a woman protagonist to the category. 🥃⁠ A QUALITY PRODUCT: A bottle of BNK isn't just a fun ice-breaker, but an artfully balanced western whiskey created by award-winning Master Blender, Mel Heim. Mel is a Head Distiller and Blender with 40+ medals. Consumers may buy a bottle for the story, but they re-purchase it for its quality. 🥃⁠ A CELEBRITY (DUO) PARTNER: The story behind BNK and the brand was enough to attract the star power of comedic couple Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone. After falling in love with the story, they became partners in 2022, often sharing (and toasting) BNK with their followers. ⁠ Cheers to BNK and all of the women out there making history. 🥃 #womenshistorymonth #cpgindustry #venturecapital #womenwhoinvest⁠

This is the piece of the conversation I don’t hear often when working next to other sales associates in the beauty space. How a company is structured and how a company raises capital will affect volume of product launches, price points, and more. Not only does the current trend of launching new products that mirror other viral products from other brands without a true point of difference creates an over saturated market. The example this article uses is lip oils. Dior, Nyx, Sunmer Fridays, Rare Beauty and so many more launched lip oils last year. Not only does this tactic of rushing to copy viral products contribute to so many abandoned products which are taken off Sephora shelves 6-12 months later, it contributes to so much more waste. The result is the customer and the environment lose. Choosing how to better leverage your debt and investors could be a key in reducing this waste. Very interesting read from Glossy.

It is not a "Woke" thing for me. It is not because I am in California! It is not about girl power and so forth. Not trying to be contemporary, Nick Larson calls me OG all the time. (Damn you Nick, now I am saying it !!!) It is personal experience - many men know it too. Raised by a widowed mother with many children, at a time/place where women entrepreneurs did not exist or were heard off. At the time, very few in the USA and less familiar in rest of the "modern world" Register here https://lnkd.in/gFTyVaV6 The value of enabling women founders and businesswomen, carries through generations, extends outwardly, passes thru layers and layers of the community, and uplifts entire economies. THIS, "IMPROVES THE HUMAN CONDITION" She Raises Capital - Building equitable access to capital for female founders. She Raises Capital: AI powered platform, guide/connect female founders & investors, offer investment readiness/education, community support and connections to dilutive/non-dilutive capital. Investors get access to high potential, investment ready female founded deals that match their theses more accurately along with many other tools to make more informed investments. May 8, 2024 - She Raises Capital is excited to host next pitch investor salon of 2024! Here are the companies selected to pitch: Shelley Gupta, Founder & CEO, Bakit Box | #EdTech Jo Marini, Co-founder & CEO, Mothership Materials | #BioMaterials Tech & Supply Chain Carolyn D. Pitt, Esq., Co-founder & CEO, @Productions.com | #Media & Entertainment, Marketplace Jane Mosbacher Morris, Founder & CEO, TO THE MARKET | #Supply Chain Tech Dafna Mizrahi, Co-founder & CEO, Curamia Tequila | Food & Beverage Register here https://lnkd.in/gFTyVaV6

If you have a #MillennialMama in your life, you already know PAUME - this cult classic, expecting-mother must have for every modern nursery. You may also recognize #Paume from their seriously #luxurious hand-sanitizer, or it's viral hand serum - dubbed a "dupe of La Mer's $120 version". Whether or not you've experienced this #luxe #D2C brand online or spotted their sleek, sono-inspired packaging on shelves... you will HANDS DOWN hear about the unstoppable Amy Welsman if you're on the lookout for top performing #founders. Her recent coverage in the The Wall Street Journal is one of many examples of how this brainy beauty mogul is creating her very own category of cosmetic must-haves... #handcare. A fun fact from Amy's former life includes a half decade stint as Joanna Griffiths' right hand at global undie giant Knix. She was the first hire, and helped to shape them from a scrappy startup to an international pantie powerhouse that sold 80% of its shares in '22 for a whopping $400M valuation. That same year, Amy doubled down on raising for her own idea and started to attract the $ of investors, retailers, #ecommerce consumers and even some seriously star powered celebrities. Here's a sneak peek from our conversation this week and a little peek into the beginning of Amy's founder story. #FounderChats #Founder2Founder #FounderStories #FemaleFounded #D2CFounder #BeautyBiz #BeautyBusiness

Ep-12: Sarah Hamilton, a super-driven, done it all, energetic serial entrepreneur, investor & advisor offers insights on “What Beauty Founders Don’t Know” (a podcast formerly known as JumpStart Beauty Brand). Sarah co-founded -bellabox, a beauty subscription box: over 100s of thousands of Meta followers -Sand & Sky-a pure Australian botanicals skincare brand sold through every major beauty and fashion retailer across the planet, is a board member -at a “Unilever Ventures” portfolio brand STRAAND, which is turning scalp care on its head, -at STUFF™ -a cruelty-free personal care brand that promotes healthy masculinity, is an advisor at Mermade Hair, and is involved with maybe a dozen more ventures! Key Moments 03.27.0-Sarah’s journey from finance to a business leader to an entrepreneur to an investor and advisor 08.54.5-Wrong assumptions that Sarah sees ventures making repetitively 13.41.3-Transition from an entrepreneur to investor 17.03.6-Sarah’s entrepeneurl/investor thesis 18.08.5-Sarah’s investment red flags 21.12.7-What is execution? 25.23.6-How should beauty founders think about exit? 27.10.0-When Sarah broke down and called her mum 28.30.2-How does Sarah deal with setbacks & does she takes a day off? Speed Round 31.22.7-What’s fake in early-stage beauty market?, Sarah’s favourite movie, beauty subscription boxes? Work-Life?Favourite beauty brand? Poor Pioneer or Rich Replica? Watch/Listen to the full episode: 1. Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gaKuxrcA 2. Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/g8mJq-DY 3. JUMP WEBSITE: https://lnkd.in/g3UrHD4X Or search for "What Beauty Founders Don't Know" on YouTube & Amazon Music(links in the first comment). Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review on your favourite platform. .................. Jump Accelerator-Growth begins with profit. Profitable growth on the path to $20M-$50M+ for women-led, early-stage beauty brands using 6X profitable super fans and first principles thinking W/O Breaking the bank on ads, influencers or reckless distribution. Together, let's create “A Woman’s World.” .................. Follow for counter-intuitive insights on "what beauty founders don't know." #skincare #business #startups #smallbusiness #makeup #haircare https://lnkd.in/gx7mXG5S

HOW TO WIN OVER INVESTORS The Business of Fashion: Funding rounds are getting slimmer, smaller and more spaced out, but investors still want to find – and fund – the next big thing. Here’s what’s catching their attention in 2024. KEY INSIGHTS With less capital available among investors, founders have to find new ways to convince private equity and venture capital firms of their value propositions. Ensuring a pitch is tailored to each investors’ check size and investment strategy will give businesses a leg-up. Many founders trip up by focussing on superfluous factors like social media hype when pitching and not understanding key business metrics such as unit economics. There’s one thing Ariel Ohana, managing partner of investment firm Ohana & Co, definitely doesn’t need to hear a brand pitch: the size of the beauty market. “[People include] that the beauty industry is worth $27 billion. The global market size is not going to make your company successful. As a beauty investor, I know that, and I’ve already looked at 100 other beauty brands,” he said. 2024′s funding climate is an entirely different beast to that of the post-pandemic boom when valuations soared high, checks were hefty and investors were generally flush with cash. In 2022, beauty companies raised $1.6 billion in venture capital and private equity, per data from capital markets company PitchBook. By 2023, that figure had slumped to $493 million. It’s a double-edged sword. Venture capital is no longer seen as a jetpack engine to overnight growth. Today, checks from all types of firms are likely smaller and investors more bearish, and founders, despite needing cash, feel more cautious about accepting funds for fear of losing control and governance. But for many businesses, external capital is still needed to unlock growth opportunities, including retail and supplier connections, expertise and unique perspectives. Capturing investors’ attention, and in turn, their resources, is a nuanced process – one that’s more competitive given the number of beauty businesses launching today. explore more: https://lnkd.in/g9Cmr9Wk #investment #ai #metaverse #fashion #web3