Linda Shein

What is game changing about Twig Ventures model? Levi Reed and their team gives *hands on* fractional support for a few months before helping you bring your baby to investors. As a first generation college student, WOC founder, that generous act of service speaks volumes as I've really had to build my network from the ground up and that access to top quality support is PRICELESS! 👉🏽 Investors - fill out their typeform to learn more 👉🏽 Founders - DM their Twig Ventures page on LI directly You rock Levi!

11

2 Comments

Love these high-level takeaways from my due diligence discussion with Cherub today! So many actionable insights for both founders and investors.

15

2 Comments

Founders often feel alone, and have many questions without answers. To combat this, eQuo is creating Founder Circles. An eQuo Founder Circle is a closely knit group of 10 complementary companies that foster peer-to-peer support among CPG founders and industry professionals. These circles encourage accountability, networking, and resource sharing, helping you navigate the complexities of the CPG industry effectively. You can register at https://lnkd.in/gsrTTGPw. The system operates through intimate micro-groups of 10 members, ensuring meaningful interactions. Weekly meetings with structured agendas and a dedicated forum for continuous engagement, along with twice-weekly open office hours, foster community involvement. Members leverage shared industry knowledge, collaborate on projects, and stay informed on trends and regulations. Our goal is mutual support and reverse mentoring. It's free and we want to use it to really help CPG companies to grow, vent, learn and adapt to challenges along the journey. If you are a founder, register at https://lnkd.in/gsrTTGPw. If you know a founder who could use support, tag them. #founders #entrepreneurship #mentoring #support #eQuo

2

1 Comment

As Bruce Blosil from Delmosa wisely said: The benchmark for quality among n/a beverages --promoted by endlessly repetitive and narrowly focused media articles, awards contests, and the opinion of drinkers -- continues to be how close they are to the "real thing". But a large segment of the population is not and never has been looking for the "real thing". They do not consume alcohol. They are not searching for an analogue to alcohol. They have been non-drinkers before non-drinking was cool, and the taste of n/a beer, wines and spirits are foreign and unappealing. It is time that we stop judging n/a beverages primarily through the taste lens of those who enjoy alcohol and start promoting the wonderful, analogue-busting categories of n/a bevs -- such as Muri and others -- to a wider audience whose appreciation for what is delicious and sophisticated is not defined by its association with alcohol.

29

8 Comments

I love this! Thank you to Rachel Brown from Beauty Independent to kick-off this exchange with Andrew Ross' provocative thesis and have us all react to it. I truly enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts on the topic of the shortening lifecycle of beauty brands. Here is a snippet of mine: "Because beauty brand lifespans are shortening, it is important that we are able to differentiate brands with staying power from brands that will end up being a flash in the pan. There are much more of the latter than the former in the market right now, and if a brand is not well-positioned, it will be challenging for that brand to survive over the long-term. That’s why we focus on understanding each brand’s differentiators and long-term relevance." See more here: https://lnkd.in/esVbwnu2 and you will discover what Kevin Murphy, Odile Roujol, Rich Gersten, Tina Henry Bou-Saba, Oliver Nordlinger, Claire Chang, Manica Blain, Sonya Brown, George Birman had to say. #beautyindustry #beautyinvesting Stride Consumer Partners

10

4 Comments

There are not many founders who would prefer being out of business. Or so I thought. Meet Eve McDavid, who is on a mission to end Cervical Cancer by transforming gynecological care. At a recent Cornell University Women’s Health panel, she and entrepreneurs Carolyn Witte, founder of Tia Women’s Clinics, and J’Vanay Santos-Fabian, MBA, founder of MyLÚA Health Health, a virtual maternal care platform, inspired me and other Cornell alumni. Together these women are trying to (in Carolyn’s words) - MOVE WOMEN’S HEALTH FROM BODY PARTS TO WHOLE PEOPLE. 💡 Here are some key insights: 1️⃣ Time to Take Care of the Chief Doctor - Women are at the medical helm in almost every household. They control > 80% of healthcare purchase decisions. 2️⃣ It Makes Economic Sense - $1 invested in women’s healthcare returns $26 to the world economy 3️⃣ Don’t Overlook Mental Health – It’s time to reduce the $14 B in avoidable costs over 5 years due to missed and delayed diagnosis of mental health issues related to maternal care. 4️⃣ Create Medical Devices By & For Women – Too many medical devices and procedures used to treat women’s issues are not designed for the women they serve. For the budding entrepreneurs in Women’s Health, here’s their advice: 🚺 Tap into other founders, not only in Women’s Health. Create a balance of those at a similar development stage with those who are a step ahead for advice on how to survive and build your mission. 👩‍⚕️ Look for 3 types of people. You need all of them. Sponsors talk about you in rooms that you can’t get into yet. Mentors help mitigate risk and address challenges. Coaches support you every step of the way. 💲 Understand payment models. Consider doing a tour of duty at a health plan to understand how best to drive change. 📍 Design your solution for the whole person with a solution customized to their individual needs.

11

🌱🚀 Exciting News! Xefco, one of our portfolio companies, just secured A$10.5 million in funding to revolutionize the textile industry and reduce emissions! 🌎💡 With their innovative water-free textile finishing and dyeing solution, Ausora, Xefco is poised to make a significant impact. Their technology not only preserves precious resources but also cuts energy consumption and costs. Plus, it's already gaining traction with leading apparel brands like Zara and The North Face. At Investible, we're committed to backing visionary companies like Xefco that are driving positive change. This investment reaffirms our belief in their potential to transform industries and tackle pressing environmental challenges. #ClimateTech #SustainableInvesting #ImpactInvesting #MandiriInvestibleGlobalClimateTechFund 🌿📈

30

3 Comments

Fatigue around #celebrity and #creator brands has set in. Well said, Gabriela Barkho. Great piece in Modern Retail on how investors - and consumers! - should be looking at creator or celebrity-led brands … with skepticism. We get pitched a lot of these: to invest and to build (given the track record with Made by Nacho). To make a celebrity brand work is to know that it could work without the celebrity. So rarely is there an uncharted category or new idea in consumer - something you never knew you needed but becomes critical to your every day. It takes real #authority and credentials to build a generational #brand, and if that authority/expert happens to be a public figure - then you’re on to something. Impressed by Once Upon a Farm, The Honest Company, and Made by Nacho as examples of companies to identify categories that needed reshaping. Curious to see where the creator economy goes and evolves from here especially as investors are becoming more timid. New Fare Hallie Bonnar Sriya Koganti Made by Nacho #cpg #cpgbrands #celebritybrands #talent https://lnkd.in/eVXurzfV

70

10 Comments

Helping Andres, Gloria, Rachel, and WestRock Company find their perfect agency was smooth sailing. The biggest takeaway from this search has nothing to do with the search itself. It's about relationships and the long game. Many many moons ago, while working at an agency, my old pal Brenda got me in to Georgia-Pacific as a vendor, and eventually introduced me to Gloria, who eventually introduced me to Rachel. The circle of life if you will. This was all set into motion roughly a decade a go, maybe longer. You should...no -- you MUST play the long game with relationships. People do business with those that they like, know, trust. The older we all get and the more established in our careers we become, the bigger the stakes become. When the stakes are bigger, trust is even more important. Long term thinking > short term gain always and forever.

11

Nearly 40% of food in the US is wasted and we've only begun to scratch the surface on leveraging wastestreams to form new categories like ugly produce and upcycled snacks. I had the pleasure of speaking with Kaitlin Mogentale about her forthcoming launch of Trashy, a new brand of veggie chips that leverages leftover juice pulp from Evolution Fresh and carrot scraps from Bolthouse Farms as core ingredients. Trashy chips contain 5x the fiber of traditional veggie chips. When it comes to consumer education around "upcycling," there are only a small handful of brands like Imperfect Foods to draw examples. Thus, Trashy is rooting its brand in fashion culture as it relates to the circular economy through vintage and reusable textiles. Using upcycled ingredients like juice pulp is not only more cost effective, but it creates a triple bottom line that's better for our health and our planet. Check out the full story on HNGRY Trends! https://lnkd.in/gD83_YZ6

10

1 Comment

What I learned this week…. About eight years ago, I had dinner with one of the ABCD CEOs on a snowy night in Greenwich, Connecticut. I wondered aloud, “Might changing consumer preferences in Food is Health unravel the ABCD franchise permanently?” In that world, farmers would take more control of processing, vertically integrate, and contract more directly with CPGs/grocery. Milling and transportation would need to be a commodity. Crazy, I know. But maybe not when we try to eliminate the $1.9T spent on the healthcare cost of poor nutrition. 1) A startup is forming virtual regenerative Co-Ops and successfully disintermediating ADM, Bunge, Cargill, and Dreyfus (ABCD). It may be ephemeral or the start of a Creative Destruction cycle. I will likely scale 100x before ABCD sees the threat coming. Even at higher costs, it works because it creates new downstream value. 2) We probably need data from at least 1M acres of production farmland to train a data set that illuminates the linkage between crop inputs/practices and variability in nutritional density. (educated guess). 3) Near term, it likely makes more sense to understand the linkage of nutrient density and crops in heritage grains, wheat, barley, and crops other than corn/soy. Improving nutrient density has more marginal value for users of these grains because they are trying to optimize other factors like alcohol production. 4) Can Kraft Heinz's new CEO, a professed health nut, transform his business with Kaft’s core competencies alone? Or will Kraft need to master the supply chain to engineer quality, nutrient-dense, healthy options? I think I know the answer. 5) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis may be tied to microbiome imbalance. With further linkage to HRV/vagus nerve. Triggered by an infection destabilizing the microbiome. Possible treatment using checkpoint (PD-1) inhibitors. Philip Strandwitz 6) We need to examine Heart Rate Variability (HRV) more as a key biomarker. Especially the link between stress, microbiome, and metabolic health. 7) If seed, spray, and other mechanical/electromagnetic/directed energy weed control improves, will some farmers pursue crop rotations they avoided because those alternatives lack “Roundup Ready” traits? SwarmFarm Robotics 8) Life insurance agents are buying medical tailored meals for their clients. The only institution that really wants you to live forever is life insurance Erin Martin, MASM 9) On week 2 of the Prolon Fast (one week every month), I am down another 7 lbs. I lost fat, not muscle mass. I will have blood work and a DEXA scan after the next fast. Day 5 is hard. 10) I can’t have a meal with friends without the topic turning to diet and health. The latent desire for Food is Health, driven partly by the Ozempic option, is a largely untapped market set to disrupt CPG and ABCD. #foodishealth Ellen Brown Katie Stebbins Brad Fruth Salar Shemirani Carlos Abrams-Rivera

67

28 Comments

What Laurel Mintz and Fabric VC are doing to change the current and long-standing suboptimal standards of venture capital is truly inspiring. The VC industry has historically been dominated by a narrow demographic, often overlooking the incredible potential that diverse founders bring to the table. Laurel's work is a breath of fresh air, showing that by supporting a wider range of voices and perspectives, we can achieve more innovative and successful outcomes. Her dedication to fostering an inclusive environment where all entrepreneurs have the opportunity to thrive is not just admirable, but necessary for the future of business. As a woman entrepreneur myself, I understand the challenges that come with navigating a landscape that hasn't always been welcoming or equitable. That's why I am so grateful for leaders like Laurel, who are not just talking about change but actively making it happen! #DEI #Entrepreneurship

35

4 Comments

Finding the Perfect Balance at popped.nyc: Where Exclusive Meets Inclusive At popped.nyc, we're all about crafting a unique environment that bridges the gap between exclusivity and inclusivity. We embrace the "IYKYK" mentality, creating a space where insiders and newcomers alike feel valued and engaged. How do we achieve this balance? Open-Access Programming: We host events that are welcoming to all, ensuring that new faces can seamlessly integrate into our community while still offering exclusive experiences that make our regulars feel special. Inclusive Design: Our workshops and events are crafted with everyone in mind. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a curious newcomer, you'll find opportunities to connect and contribute meaningfully. Mentorship and Guidance: Experienced members are encouraged to share their knowledge and guide newcomers. This fosters a collaborative atmosphere where everyone can grow together. Segmented Access: We offer a range of events, from exclusive gatherings to open-access programs, ensuring that there’s something for everyone while maintaining the special touch of our niche community. Transparent Communication: We believe in clear, open communication about the nature of our events and the reasons behind any exclusivity, helping manage expectations and ensure inclusivity. Interactive Elements: Our events are designed to spark curiosity and engagement, providing newcomers with a glimpse into what makes our community unique. Respectful Boundaries: We balance privacy with openness, ensuring sensitive topics are handled respectfully while still fostering an inclusive dialogue. By focusing on these principles, we create a vibrant, dynamic space where the "IYKYK" mentality enhances our community while ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and involved. Join us at popped.nyc and be part of a community that celebrates both exclusivity and inclusivity. Let’s make connections and build something special together! #CommunityBuilding #InclusiveCulture #Networking #PoppedNYC #Events #ProfessionalGrowth

7

Want to learn how to scale your consumer company from someone who took a consumer brand from $50M to $5 Billion? 💸 Join me in New York on May 29th for 🔥 THE FIRESIDE 🔥 to learn from one of our panelists, Paul Blum. While the barriers to launching and scaling your business are lower than ever, the challenges have also intensified. The market is crowded, and securing the right kind of funding is challenging. How do you navigate growth in such a competitive landscape? At 🔥 THE FIRESIDE 🔥 - you'll hear from entrepreneurs who have scaled their businesses to multi-million-dollar heights and top consumer investors will reveal their insider criteria for what they really need to see in a company before making a confident investment. Sign-up here before our spots fill out 👉 https://lu.ma/ax1r6lhh

9

HOW TO SAVE PELOTON: As I Said 5 Days Ago. Peloton needs to go PRIVATE; their survival depends on it. Ironically, struggling brands get more damaged by staying in the public view. However, it isn't enough to take Peloton private. You need to step back and take a good, hard look at what is working and what doesn't. Here are three areas that need to be revisited by prospective PE buyers. Brand Positioning: Is it going in the right direction? How much damage have they taken from bad publicity? Are customers buying more products from them or selling off their exercise equipment? Growth: If you strip out the errors of the Pandemic and growth were to continue normally, where would they be today versus where they are? It is the best place to determine if the brand has peaked or is faltering. Leadership: This brand needs two leaders, one with a deep AI and Data technology background and the other with the finesse of leading specialty brands. Because that's what this is: a specialty health/fitness brand living in the technology space. And their customers will want real-time updates on their progress from exercising to eating. Partnerships: Part of me is considering a Weight Watchers opportunity or a joint partnership with a PE. They might even consider Peloton Franchises, where fitness experts buy a franchise with their equipment and take share from other fitness centers. Investment and Innovation: They need to continue to innovate and invest in technology that enhances their customer's experience. Making it compelling for many who work out at home to sign up. By the way, 52% of people who work out do so without a gym membership. #retailing #strategy #ceo #technology #innovation #peloton https://lnkd.in/gNYTtG5h

16

2 Comments

I was fortunate to get to work with Casey Winters when he advised us at Ritual.co, and his blog is a treasure trove of product and growth lessons. His article "Finding the Next Wave of Growth: S-Curves and Product Sequencing" (Nov '23) dives into the specific strategic bets made by GrubHub, Pinterest, and Eventbrite – with firsthand insight. (he worked at all 3) There are just so many gems in this article. Read slow. Enjoy! #product #growth #strategy

16