How He Buys Multi-Million Dollar Brands with Fan Bi, Founder/CEO of The Hedgehog Company
Jan 29, 2024
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Fan Bi, Founder & CEO of Hedgehog, talks about valuing direct-to-consumer brands, challenges in the messy middle stage, expanding a DTC business to additional sales channels, and the Founder's predicament in the consumer acquisitions market.
Valuing businesses based on revenue multiples is no longer sustainable, and metrics like true gross margin and operational complexity should be prioritized.
DTC brands should prioritize sticky revenue through subscription models or repeat orders, as categories with high LTV and repeat rates offer great scaling opportunities.
Deep dives
Valuing Businesses Differently
Businesses should be valued differently as the party of high valuations based on revenue multiples has come to an end. The focus should shift from revenue to metrics like true gross margin and operational complexity. The era of assuming irrational valuations on exit is over, and profitability should be prioritized for long-term sustainability.
The Importance of Revenue Quality
Revenue quality is crucial for DTC brands. Sticky revenue through subscription models or repeat orders is highly desirable. This is in contrast to the higher volatility of revenue in consumer discretionary e-commerce businesses. Categories such as supplements and products with high LTV and repeat rates offer great opportunities for DTC scaling.
Product Differentiation and IP
Product differentiation and real IP are essential for starting a successful brand today as the proliferation of e-commerce businesses makes it easier for copycats to emerge. Innovation and differentiation are necessary to stand out and create a unique value proposition, especially considering the increasing ease of starting an online business.
Navigating the Challenging Consumer Market
The consumer market is currently challenging for brands, with compressed valuations, high customer acquisition costs, and softness in consumer discretionary sectors. Founders should focus on building profitable businesses with lean operations and long-term viability. Growth should be strategic and measured, aiming for profitability rather than relying on irrational exit valuations.
Our guest today is Fan Bi, Founder & CEO of Hedgehog
Fan Bi is the Founder & CEO of Hedgehog. He founded, grew, and exited many eCom + store menswear brands. He has been in DTC eCommerce for over 13 years.
We discuss:
• How was Fan was introduced to entrepreneurship and what things he found compelling about man's fashion?
• What multiples were used for early-stage digital brands?
• Why he started Hedgehog?
• What to make of the current market and how do you see it in the future?
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.
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