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

Thank you Yuriy Dovzhansky for the introduction to our guests today Joey Guerra and Alex Dashefsky, founders of Airsign. Airsign makes tools for the modern living, starting with their award winning HEPA vacuum. We discuss innovation within vacuum cleaners, why they were in R&D the whole time and wanted to start their own brand instead of white labeling, how they’ve approached marketing, positioning and fundraising and much much more. Without further ado, here’s Joey and Alex.Some of the questions I ask them:I want to start with you Joey. Before you founded Airsign you had your own industrial design shop and building products for other brands. When did you think and realize you wanted to start your own brand and why focus on the vacuum?What was missing about the vacuumWhat do you think Dyson They don’t lastAirsignJohn from Lakehouse venturesHow did you approach Alex, how did Alex become part of what became Airsign?Was entrepreneurship ever something that you both could see yourself doing some day?Why did you both feel the partnership could work and how do you each think about your skillsets?What is wrong with other vacuum cleaners? What makes them non-sustainable or not as effectiveWhat was the design process like? How long did it take for you to get to the version we have today?What is HEPA filtration? How did you approachHow do you think about the LTVWhen did you decide to raise capital?What was that process like?How are you thinking about your growth strategy? I know Alex, you were running your own industrial design What are other products that you don’t think have been perfected or designed well quite yet?AlexHow to not F-up your startupHarry PotterJoeyThe Steve JobsHe was really a hardware guy***Sponsor*** Introducing aVenture - venture capital for everyoneWith aVenture everyone can now invest directly into venture capital funds through our platform while also benefiting from periodic liquidity options.If you agree, sign-up for their waitlist at aventure.vc. aVenture is a San Francisco, California-based financial technology company that permits users to launch, manage and invest in venture funds on its platform, http://aventure.vc. aVenture operates independently of any investment advisors on its platform. Certain funds listed on the aVenture platform are provided by independent fund managers and may be registered as investment advisors in the U.S., or qualify for exempt reporting status. Mike is a paid spokesperson for aVenture and is compensated $6,000. Want to keep up to date with The Consumer VC? Subscribe to my newsletter Here.

Our guest today is Mateo Marietti, founder and CEO of CookUnity. CookUnity is reinventing the food delivery experience and making it easy for busy people to eat well at home by curating a marketplace of great chefs and unique crafters. We discuss how he founded Cooking Unity, how he developed relationships with some of the top chefs in the world, how he addressed the cold start problem, the response to the pandemic, when they will hit profitability and much more.Some of the questions I ask:What got you into cooking?Why did you start CookUnity?Employed the cooks, delivery1,000 employeesTraditionalFine diningEverything is vertically integratedThe chef cooking for others, but not the most attractive optionBest chefs cook everydayHow did you attract the best chefs in the world?How do you manage the supply side? Kitchen space, finding chefs, quality control, etc.?How did you start?PandemicWhy do people want a meal from a private chef instead of a meal kit company?How do you add more chefs? What’s the chef profile?What’s the business model?What was it like raising capital? What was the response from investors?Cooking classBooks –Danny Meyer – Setting the TablePatagonia – Let My People Go Surfing***Sponsor*** Introducing aVenture - venture capital for everyoneWith aVenture everyone can now invest directly into venture capital funds through our platform while also benefiting from periodic liquidity options.If you agree, sign-up for their waitlist at aventure.vc. aVenture is a San Francisco, California-based financial technology company that permits users to launch, manage and invest in venture funds on its platform, http://aventure.vc. aVenture operates independently of any investment advisors on its platform. Certain funds listed on the aVenture platform are provided by independent fund managers and may be registered as investment advisors in the U.S., or qualify for exempt reporting status. Mike is a paid spokesperson for aVenture and is compensated $6,000. Want to keep up to date with The Consumer VC? Subscribe to my newsletter Here.

Our guest today is Anthony Zhang, founder of Vinovest. Vinovest allows you to invest in Wine Globally Without Leaving Home and Without Storing It Yourself. He also previously founded EnjoyNow and Know your VC. We discuss his introduction to entrepreneurship, what it was like coming back from a spinal injury to guide EnjoyNow to a successful exit, why he started Vinovest, how people were investing in wine previously, and much much more.We discuss:When was the first moment you were entrepreneurial?You founded EnvoyNow, Know Your VC and now Vinovest. What do you feel like is the thread that combines each of those experiences.In 2016 you suffered a huge accident and became paralyzed. This was while you were CEO of EnvoyNow and had to take a step back. You realized that your co-founders wanted to leave and the company wasn’t doing well. Walk me through what it was like coming back to your company day to day and still want EnvoyNow to be successful even though it was falling apart?Why Vinovest? Why wine as an asset class? Were you always into wine?How were people investing in wine previously?What were your first steps when founding? How did you build the market?How profitable is wine as an alternative investment?How does it work?What’s the level of demand for a platform like Vinovest? When did you feel like there was a significant demand for this product?The wine is eventually is going to go bad / there’s an expiry date. How do you deal with this?Who are they finally selling to?When did you start Whiskey Vest?Are you worried about the non-alc craze?How do wine producers benefit?Are their alternative assets that you don’t think make sense?How did you raise capital?What’s one book that’s inspired you personally and professionallySix Types of Working Geniuses15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership***Sponsor*** Introducing aVenture - venture capital for everyoneWith aVenture everyone can now invest directly into venture capital funds through our platform while also benefiting from periodic liquidity options.If you agree, sign-up for their waitlist at aventure.vc. aVenture is a San Francisco, California-based financial technology company that permits users to launch, manage and invest in venture funds on its platform, http://aventure.vc. aVenture operates independently of any investment advisors on its platform. Certain funds listed on the aVenture platform are provided by independent fund managers and may be registered as investment advisors in the U.S., or qualify for exempt reporting status. Mike is a paid spokesperson for aVenture and is compensated $6,000. Want to keep up to date with The Consumer VC? Subscribe to my newsletter Here.

Our guest today is James Currier, Founder & General Partner of NFX. VC firm investing in pre-seed and seed stage startups. Some of their investments include DoorDash, Lyft and Outdoorsy. We focus this conversation on maybe the biggest tech trend in 2022 – A.I. How much opportunity is there for startups vs. the Googles and Microsoft’s of the world, which layer of A.I. provides the most value and much much more. Please note we do discuss OpenAI but this conversation was recorded prior to their $10 billion deal with Microsoft. Without further ado, here’s James.What’s the difference between how AI has been viewed in the past / analytical AI and generative AI?What’s the history of generative AI?Why is it a goldrush and receiving lots of hype? Why now in this moment in time?How does generative tech change the internet?Will generative AI change how we think about search and finding an answer? Will it replace Google?How do you build an enduring business based on API on GPT-3 or other AI language models?What will it effects be on the creator economy and artists?Do you see generative tech replacing jobs or devalue jobs?How do you think writing coachesWhat’s the biggest surprising categories or use case you’re excited about?What’s the advantages of building your own applications off open AI models vs. proprietary? What’s the use case for either?What are the biggest reasons why an generative AI company will succeed vs. fail?How do you analyze companies building using generative tech?What will generative tech do for entrepreneurship?Do you think building an generative What are the various applications to generative AI that haven’t been explored yet that you’re interested in?What’s your recommendation to founders who want to be part of this wave?Since there’s lots of hype of generative tech, what are use cases that you’ve found that doesn’t make sense?How fast are the AI models improving and becoming more accurate?What’s on book that’s inspired you personally and one book that’s inspired you professionally?Acid Dream - history of psychedelic drugsHow to Change Your Mind - Nue Life HealthScale by Jeffory WestWhat’s one piece of advice for founders?***Sponsor*** Introducing aVenture - venture capital for everyoneWith aVenture everyone can now invest directly into venture capital funds through our platform while also benefiting from periodic liquidity options.If you agree, sign-up for their waitlist at aventure.vc. aVenture is a San Francisco, California-based financial technology company that permits users to launch, manage and invest in venture funds on its platform, http://aventure.vc. aVenture operates independently of any investment advisors on its platform. Certain funds listed on the aVenture platform are provided by independent fund managers and may be registered as investment advisors in the U.S., or qualify for exempt reporting status. Mike is a paid spokesperson for aVenture and is compensated $6,000. Want to keep up to date with The Consumer VC? Subscribe to my newsletter Here.

Our guest today is Adam Ross, Founder & CEO of Heyday. Heyday is a skincare establishment that is overhauling the facial experience. We discuss how he got interested in skincare, why he only wanted to focus on facials, how he thought about expanding foot print with a combination of corporate and franchise stores and much much more.***Sponsor*** Introducing aVenture - venture capital for everyoneWith aVenture everyone can now invest directly into venture capital funds through our platform while also benefiting from periodic liquidity options.If you agree, sign-up for their waitlist at aventure.vc. aVenture is a San Francisco, California-based financial technology company that permits users to launch, manage and invest in venture funds on its platform, http://aventure.vc. aVenture operates independently of any investment advisors on its platform. Certain funds listed on the aVenture platform are provided by independent fund managers and may be registered as investment advisors in the U.S., or qualify for exempt reporting status. Mike is a paid spokesperson for aVenture and is compensated $6,000. Want to keep up to date with The Consumer VC? Subscribe to my newsletter Here.

Our guest today is Ryan Woodbury, co-founder of Needed. Needed is on a mission to empower every woman with the fundamental nutrition information, products, and community they need to be optimally nourished before, during, and after pregnancy. We discuss how she got involved / started in nutrition, why she decided to create a prenatal supplement company, why she took 3 years in R&D, how she thinks about the DTC channel and LTV of her customers and much much more.Some of the questions I ask Ryan:What was your introduction to entrepreneurship?How did you end up founding Needed?What were the first steps?How do you think about the lifetime value of the customer?When does a person use prenatal vitamins?Distribution play as opposed to an Pulvis VenturesHow did you think about financing the business?CACChallengesWhat have you learned from your customersConsumers want a two a dayHow did Needed different? What’s the bare minimum?How do you think about product development?Why did you decide DTC?Nutrients How do you think about customer acquisition in today?How do you think about retention and customer experience?How did you approach raising venture capital?What’s one book that inspired you personally and one book that inspired you professionally?Professionally - Let my people go surfing; No Rules, Rules by Reed HastingsPersonally - The Sense of Wonder***Sponsor*** Introducing aVenture - venture capital for everyoneWith aVenture everyone can now invest directly into venture capital funds through our platform while also benefiting from periodic liquidity options.If you agree, sign-up for their waitlist at aventure.vc. aVenture is a San Francisco, California-based financial technology company that permits users to launch, manage and invest in venture funds on its platform, http://aventure.vc. aVenture operates independently of any investment advisors on its platform. Certain funds listed on the aVenture platform are provided by independent fund managers and may be registered as investment advisors in the U.S., or qualify for exempt reporting status. Mike is a paid spokesperson for aVenture and is compensated $6,000. Want to keep up to date with The Consumer VC? Subscribe to my newsletter Here.

Lydia Jett, Managing Partner at SoftBank, discusses e-commerce investing and global scale strategies. Topics include evaluating emerging markets, capital deployment challenges, and adaptation to market shifts. Insights on consumer shopping trends and the importance of trust in entrepreneurship

Thank you Taylor Foxman for the introduction to our guest today Aimy Steadman. Aimy is is the COO of BeatBox Beverages. the World's Tastiest Portable Party Punch.Some of the questions I ask Aimy:How did you found Beatbox?What was the reason why you founded it? You were early with the RTD trend?What’s the difference between wine and spirits vs. beer?How did you think about the category you were creating and the product that you originally set out to create? How did you think about the right alcohol?How did you approach distribution? Was there a moment you realized you were on to something? What was the first retailer you entered and how did you do it?Why did you switch from working with wine distributors to beer distributors? How did you make the transition?What was it like going from a box to tetra paks? Why did you make the jump?What was it like going on SharkTank and what was the bump?Were there time when growth flatlined? How did you handle that? What were the reason?What does that mean community oriented?How did Brizzy and Corkless Wine come about?How do you leverage or build community around BeatBox Beverage? How did you incorporate music?How did Future Proof come about?What was your process for fundraising? Why did you only raise $15 million on a $200 million valuation?Where do you believe Beatbox should be? What are the right retail chains and on-prem locations?What are you doing now with events and music festivals since events are coming back?What’s one book that has inspired you personally and one book that has inspired you professionally?Dan Seigal MindsightTraction - EOS Entrepreneur’s Operator System***Sponsor*** Introducing aVenture - venture capital for everyoneWith aVenture everyone can now invest directly into venture capital funds through our platform while also benefiting from periodic liquidity options.If you agree, sign-up for their waitlist at aventure.vc. aVenture is a San Francisco, California-based financial technology company that permits users to launch, manage and invest in venture funds on its platform, http://aventure.vc. aVenture operates independently of any investment advisors on its platform. Certain funds listed on the aVenture platform are provided by independent fund managers and may be registered as investment advisors in the U.S., or qualify for exempt reporting status. Mike is a paid spokesperson for aVenture and is compensated $6,000. Want to keep up to date with The Consumer VC? Subscribe to my newsletter Here.

Our guest today is Wyatt Taubman, Founder of Vive Organic. Vive Organic is fresh pressed wellness shots from organic superfoods.Some of the questions I ask Wyatt:What led to the founding of Vive Organic?How did you approach your supply chain?How did you envision the brand?How did you think about distribution channels?How did you think about product expansionHow did you approach fundraising?Why did you sell to Suja?***Sponsor*** Introducing aVenture - venture capital for everyoneWith aVenture everyone can now invest directly into venture capital funds through our platform while also benefiting from periodic liquidity options.If you agree, sign-up for their waitlist at aventure.vc. aVenture is a San Francisco, California-based financial technology company that permits users to launch, manage and invest in venture funds on its platform, http://aventure.vc. aVenture operates independently of any investment advisors on its platform. Certain funds listed on the aVenture platform are provided by independent fund managers and may be registered as investment advisors in the U.S., or qualify for exempt reporting status. Mike is a paid spokesperson for aVenture and is compensated $6,000. Want to keep up to date with The Consumer VC? Subscribe to my newsletter Here.

Thank you CJ Fowler for the introduction to our guest today, Yanni Hufnagel, Founder & CEO of Lemon Perfect. Lemon Perfect is a super-refreshing, full-flavored, hydrating lemon water with no sugar, artificial flavors, or sweeteners.Some of the questions I ask Yanni:Why did you become a coach?Why did you leave college basketball to found Lemon Perfect? What was the insight that led you?How did you think about the hydration category?What was your first steps when you started Lemon Perfect?How did you think about testing?Curious as to how their omnichannel strategy started, evolved(lessons learned), and what next steps areHow Beyonce drinking their product has helped them grow, did it help get into retailers?And more generally, his thoughts on working and taking money from celebrities.How did you get into retail?Moving forward what will be the best avenues to pursue for sampling ?What’s the biggest change from your role going from early stage to growth stageWhat was the most surprising part in CPG since you were an outsider?How has college basketball helped shape you?How did you approach raising capital? How big do you want to go?Why did you go to recycled plastic? How do you think about margins?***Sponsor*** Introducing aVenture - venture capital for everyoneWith aVenture everyone can now invest directly into venture capital funds through our platform while also benefiting from periodic liquidity options.If you agree, sign-up for their waitlist at aventure.vc. aVenture is a San Francisco, California-based financial technology company that permits users to launch, manage and invest in venture funds on its platform, http://aventure.vc. aVenture operates independently of any investment advisors on its platform. Certain funds listed on the aVenture platform are provided by independent fund managers and may be registered as investment advisors in the U.S., or qualify for exempt reporting status. Mike is a paid spokesperson for aVenture and is compensated $6,000. Want to keep up to date with The Consumer VC? Subscribe to my newsletter Here.