Ayelet Israeli

In this engaging discussion, Ayelet Israeli, a Harvard Business School professor focused on e-commerce, joins Kalam Dennis, co-founder of AptDeco, a furniture marketplace. They dive into how startups can transform failures into stepping stones for success. Dennis shares valuable insights from AptDeco’s journey, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer needs and leveraging data analytics. They also discuss shifting priorities from growth to profitability and learning from past expansion setbacks, showcasing innovative approaches to scaling in today's competitive market.

Ayelet Israeli, a Harvard Business School professor and co-author of the article on celebrity brands, dives into the explosive trend of celebrities launching their own businesses. She discusses how social media and direct-to-consumer sales have fueled this phenomenon. Israeli highlights successful case studies like Kim Kardashian’s Skims, pointing out the need for authenticity and quality. She also shares key insights for both famous and non-famous entrepreneurs, emphasizing effective storytelling and engagement to build consumer loyalty.

Hear Harvard Business School associate professor Ayelet Israeli discuss the pros and cons of selling on Amazon. Topics include costs, competition, data challenges, brand strategies, and the decision-making process for leveraging the Amazon marketplace.