founding + general partner Curate Capital - a venture capital fund that invests in consumer-facing businesses by women for women
Houston, TX
Joined May 2010
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Carrie Colbert retweeted
If you're starting your CPG brand today, you should plan for about a 7 year journey to exit
I studied over CPG M&A 200 deals in the last 3 years, and the overwhelmingly largest age bucket is the 5-10 year range
Why?
This is the sweet spot for - this thing is growing, but its also been around for a bit
Many founders are obsessed with growing & selling as quickly as possible, but they don't realize that that ultimately works against them - by far the most popular age band is the 5-10 years range for a successful exit
Founders often undervalue durability and overvalue growth. You are MUCH better off growing at 40% for a couple years in a row vs chadding 300% in a year and then seeing your growth rate fall off a cliff
This weeks newsletter is all about what stars need to align when you're considering selling your business
It comes down to a handful of stars:
- The growth & durability balance
- Margin expansion
- Organizational maturity
I go into details for each for my newsletter coming out this friday, subscribe at the link in the comments
This is the right take on the Everlane deal.
Shein just acquired Everlane for $100M.
The sustainability-oriented "Radical Transparency" brand, sold to the king of ultra-fast fashion.
Founded 2011. Raised $100M+ in equity. L Catterton invested $85M in 2020 when the brand was doing ~$200M in revenue.
Revenue is now ~$170M. $90M in debt.
The $100M sale price essentially covers the debt. Equity holders get nothing.
Cue the X takes declaring "The Death of DTC."
But that's the wrong take. Look at 2026:
Grüns, launch to $1.2B Unilever acquisition in 30 months on $300M in DTC subscription revenue.
Huel, $350M revenue, sold to Danone for $1.15B on the back of world-class digital execution.
DTC isn't broken. Apparel is just a structurally unforgiving category. High inventory risk. Intense fashion cycles. Loyalty that has to be re-earned every single season.
I used to love Everlane's marketing. The aesthetic was beautiful. The transparency felt genuinely novel. For a while it felt like the future of retail.
Then I moved on. Apparently so did everyone else.
Everlane built one of the great brand moments of the last decade. They just couldn't outlast it.
Carrie Colbert retweeted
the fashion equivalent of
Poppi selling to Pepsi 😂
SCOOP: Everlane sold to Shein for $100 million puck.news/everlane-is-sellin… @PuckNews
Carrie Colbert retweeted
Here's what I learned:
Healing isn't dramatic.
It's quiet, consistent, and deeply human.
Carrie Colbert retweeted
I have no words for what I saw today near Camp Mystic.
Just sadness. I’m heartbroken all over again for those families and little girls.
Congrats to our portfolio company @curiebod on launching in Target! So proud of @thats_a_moret and team.
Love the product innovation from @curiebod!
Shop it here: bit.ly/3SXFGkl
Sick of boring-old, drying, bar soap?... Meet our BODY WASH BARS! 🫧🧼
Available exclusively at Walmart and on walmart.com✨
🥥 Coconut Nectar: Buff away dead skin with coconut shell bits
🍦Warm Vanilla: Wraps you in rich moisture with almond and macadamia nut oil
Carrie Colbert retweeted
Your goal as CEO is to build a team that runs your entire company better than you.
THIS. there is no magic bullet, no knight in shining armor, no one coming to save the day - except YOU! Others can surely support and assist and advise. But at the end of the day, you are the captain of your ship.
Totally! I always say the LP/GP relationship is like a marriage - without the good parts of marriage. ;)
The same goes for founder/investor relationships...
So, word to the wise: choose wisely 🙃
Carrie Colbert retweeted
If you added up all the time wasted searching for shortcuts and trying to cheat the process, the hard work could have already been done by now.
Carrie Colbert retweeted
Instead of the question, “what would you go back and change?” (regret-oriented) maybe try asking this instead:
“What did my past choices and actions create in my life and teach me?”
How you see your past matters. It’s either a regret or a facilitator.
Carrie Colbert retweeted
Learn about the remarkable story of Brett White, a professional golfer who went from a wheelchair to the winner's circle in two years.
Such a remarkable, inspiring story!
And check out that logo on his shirt. Proud to partner with @bwhitey08 as he plays in his first PGA tournament this weekend in Phoenix!
Carrie Colbert retweeted
If you want to improve your brand positioning & marketing, start by addressing these 4 common issues:
1. Trying to be for everyone
2. No unique value proposition
3. No specific growth goals
4. No systems (daily habits) to support growth goals
🤦🏻♀️
Women-founded #startups raised 1.9% of all VC funds in 2022, a drop from 2021 by @DominicMadori techcrunch.com/2023/01/18/wo…
