The Consumer VC: Venture Capital I B2C Startups I Commerce | Early-Stage Investing I Brands

Our guests today are Angela Vranich and Ben Lewis, the dynamic duo behind Little Spoon, as we explore their journey from high school sweethearts to co-founders of a revolutionary baby food brand. Listen in as they share how their early fascination with consumer brands led them to the natural products industry, and how their personal relationship evolved into a successful business partnership. Angela and Ben provide a candid look at the challenges and rewards of building a business as a couple, the motivations that fueled their entrepreneurial spirit, and the key partnership principles that have guided their journey.

Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.

(0:00:01) - Building Little Spoon With a Partner

(0:10:31) - Revolutionizing the Baby Food Industry

(0:19:15) - Expanding Product Line for Growing Kids

(0:32:56) - Direct-to-Consumer Success in Marketing

(0:46:21) - Balancing Growth and Profitability Strategy

Subscribe to Our Newsletter:

https://www.theconsumervc.com/

Subscribe on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914

Follow on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/MikeGelb

Follow on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/

Follow on TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc

Our guests today are Andrew Bluestein and Ashley Hartman, Managing Partners of Bluestein Ventures. Bluestein Ventures invests in the future of food. What does that mean? They focus on investing in High-growth consumer brands, Proprietary foodtech, Next-gen commerce, Value-add digital technology. They just raised a $45 million third fund – which huge congrats to them for doing so. We discuss the transition from family office to VC firm, investing in inventory businesses and technology businesses, the difference between fund 3 and funds 1 and 2, what happened with Foxtrot, future of plant based meat, and much much more.

Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.

0:00:00 - Intro

0:03:32 - Trends in Food Industry Digitization (35 Seconds)

0:07:14 - Food-Centered Investing Strategy Discussion (65 Seconds)

0:13:38 - Supply Chain Investing and Business Models (78 Seconds)

0:27:45 - Channel Strategy for Expanding Food Brands (75 Seconds)

0:38:10 - Plant-Based Meat (59 Seconds)

0:41:52 - Debate on Plant-Based Meat Benefits (91 Seconds)

0:50:59 - Investing in Great Businesses (77 Seconds)

0:57:47 - Optimizing a Complex Store Concept (67 Seconds)

1:02:09 - Strategic Framework in Business Startups (54 Seconds)

Subscribe to Our Newsletter:

https://www.theconsumervc.com/

Subscribe on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914

Follow on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/MikeGelb

Follow on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/

Follow on TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc

Our guest today is Manica Blain. In this episode, we journey through the fascinating evolution of two beauty brands that have overcome initial hurdles to achieve remarkable success. Discover how an Ayurvedic beauty brand captured investor interest through high repeat purchase rates and how Everest, a hair care concentrate brand, pivoted from sustainability to performance, leading to explosive growth.

Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.

We Discuss:

•Investing in Long-Lasting Consumer Brands

•Founding and Growing Beauty Brands

•Investment Strategies in Beauty Industry

•Dealing With Red Flags in Business

•Fund Development and Co-Partner Dynamics

•Inspiration in Books

0:01:35 - Investing in Beauty and Personal Care

0:04:44 - Evolution of Consumer Brand Expectations

0:08:08 - Brands Iterating to Find Success

0:18:41 - Investing in Beauty and Personal Care

0:23:09 - Beauty Industry Exit Dynamics

0:25:22 - From Bootstrapping to Funding

0:37:57 - Importance of Customer Retention

0:41:50 - Future Plans for Topknot Ventures

0:46:15 - Investment Strategy and Relationship Building

0:49:29 - Book Inspiration - Personal and Professional

Subscribe to Our Newsletter:

https://www.theconsumervc.com/

Subscribe on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/4Hjm74ZMqodx5UmAeWAOJF?si=e0bd72bc48b341ab

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-consumer-vc-venture-capital-i-b2c-startups-i/id1484646914

Follow on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/MikeGelb

Follow on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mikegelb/

Follow on TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@consumervc

Our guest today is Teddy Townsend of CG Sawaya Partners, as we explore the dynamic world of health and wellness brand acquisitions.Teddy brings her expertise to the table, shedding light on why companies in this vibrant sector pursue mergers and acquisitions, and how different types of buyers, from private equity funds to strategic acquirers, approach these deals

Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries https://www.propellerindustries.com/

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.

We discuss:

• Company Acquisition Health & Wellness 

• Understanding Equity Investment Terms

• Challenges With Low Profit Margins 

• Shift in Supplement Business Trends

• Strategic Timing in Brand Acquisition 

• Strategic Acquirers and Private Equity Groups 

• Brand Evaluation and Marketing Strategies 

• Strategic vs Minority Round Buyouts

• Women's Health and Market Needs

• Importance of Differentiation in Consumer Industry

(0:00:00) - Health and Wellness Brand Acquisitions

Nature's mergers and acquisitions in health and wellness, private equity vs. strategic buyers, term sheet nuances.

(0:09:35) - Understanding Liquidation Preferences in Investments

High liquidation preferences in VC deals can misalign interests, impede exits, and signal investor confidence in hot markets.

(0:13:37) - Sustainable Growth in Business Trends

Unsustainable growth models, excessive capital raising, reliance on high cash burn, shift in investor perspective, D2C market, understanding key metrics, importance of acquiring new customers, fundamental health and long-term sustainability in health and wellness sector.

(0:17:45) - Health and Wellness Industry Strategy

Current trends in health and wellness industry: focus on OTC products, strategic acquisitions, and consumer behavior in beauty and personal care.

(0:27:37) - Strategic Considerations for Business Acquisition

Nature's strategic considerations for founders targeting specific buyers, including M&A criteria, legal issues, scaling capabilities, and private equity.

(0:34:30) - Navigating Business Exits and Valuations

Substantiating product claims, engaging third-party reviews, and understanding exit strategies for successful business transactions.

(0:42:12) - Maximizing Deal Opportunities and Process Preparation

Maximize M&A success with nostalgia marketing, thorough preparation, and strategic buyer engagement for full buyouts and minority rounds.

(0:49:56) - Women's Health Challenges and Brand Differentiation

Women's health sector faces challenges in narrow market windows, scaling, and differentiation in a saturated market.

(0:56:55) - Transition From Writer to Banker

Teddy's journey from writing to investment banking, using storytelling skills, learning finance from "Investment Banking," and the impact of reading Stephen King's "The Stand.

Our guest today is Diana Melencio. Diana manages the entire XRC Ventures investment process across three investment vehicles – Accelerator Fund, Brand Capital Fund, and Opportunity Fund.

Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter:

https://www.theconsumervc.com/

Our guest today is Dayton Miller, Managing Partner at BFG Partners. BFG Partners help entrepreneurs build exceptional businesses that deliver sustainable growth and outperform competitors in the better-for-you food, beverage, and consumer products space. Their investments include Olipop, Athletic Greens, Caulipower, and Bobo’s. We discuss the inflection points at seed, series A, and Series B in today’s market, categories he’s excited about in consumer today, ozempic, operations metrics, and his time as an entrepreneur building Function Drinks from scratch to $20 million in sales.

Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.

Our guest today is George Milton & Erin Link, Founders of YellowBird Foods a Modern Hot Sauce business.

We discuss:

• How did they get into Whole Foods?

• How did they also get into Walmart?

• How did their approach to retail expansion?

• How did they approach branding and positioning for Yellowbird

Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries – https://www.propellerindustries.com/

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.

Our guest today is Amrit Richmond, Founder of Indie CPG since 2019, and has also joined SecureCPG recently

We discuss:

• What gives a food and drink brand accusation energy?

• What are the different profiles of the acquire today?

• Why acquire emerging brands?

Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.

Our guest today is Samyr Lainé, an Olympian, an amazing operator who worked with Jay-Z's, Will Smith and Jada Pickett Smith who is now the founder of Freedom Trail Capital.

We discuss:

• How he trained for the Olympics while being a full time law student

• Working at Monumental Sports (owners of the Washington Capitals and Wizards)

• Shifting towards the MLS

• Getting the email that Jay-Z was looking for someone to help run his businesses

• All of Jay-Z's businesses

• His view on how brands can collaborate with talent

• Why he left to work for Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith's Westbrook

• His thesis behind launching Freedom Trail Capital

Thank you to our Partner –– Propeller Industries

Propeller Industries is the leading strategic finance and accounting partner for venture-stage companies.