LORRIE KING

maude is proud to be named one of 2024's Future50 by BeautyMatter, "a list of brands, retailers, and service concepts to know and watch as they define the global beauty and wellness landscape. These are businesses led by people fostering new ideas and pushing forward innovation." On the future we're creating / want to see: Please share your insight on the future of the beauty industry. "The future of the beauty industry is one that has been furthered by blurring the lines between categories, creating an umbrella of beauty, health, and wellness that is holistic and thoughtful and based on the psychographic needs of the consumer vs just demographics. With access, personalization, and education proliferating beauty and beauty education across platforms, the future of beauty is being written in real time by real people." If you could change one thing in the beauty industry what would it be? "I'd like for the beauty industry to recognize that sexual wellness is a category within the sphere of body care, and it is not synonymous with feminine care. Sexual health affects all people and should be for all people."

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I had the great pleasure of sitting down with Dave Knox and Forbes to discuss Nori, Inc.'s growth journey to date. Here are three key learnings Annabel Love and I reference as a three person team that reached eight-figures in annual revenue in under three years: 1. Invest in Innovation! The e-commerce market is flooded with brands that have undervalued the importance of an innovative product. Product acquisition is too expensive for those that are simply rebranding a product or service that already exists. 2. Nail one channel and the rest will follow! While we always hoped Nori would be an omni-channel brand, we focused solely on making Direct-to-Consumer a success, before entertaining Amazon and Wholesale. This channel-focus allowed us to understand our DTC marketing dynamics and ensure channel profitability before our focus was placed elsewhere. Bonus: As we gained market share via DTC, wholesale buyers proactively came to us. 3. Bet on Talented Freelancers. Our team is currently comprised of three full-time employees. We have kept our G&A expenses impressively low without compromising growth, by betting on talented marketing, PR, product and brand freelancers that have the same drive and incentive to grind as an early-stage founder. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eh2McN92

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While hundreds of brands launch each year, only a few successfully scale. That's why companies often bring in a professional CEO, someone who knows how to partner with a founder, help effectively deploy outside capital and build an organization. In a recent episode of Beauty Independent's In Conversation webinar, I had the pleasure of interviewing three such brand builders: First, Rose Fernandez, former of CEO of Algenist and veteran of Kate Somerville Skincare, Murad and Jurlique. Next, Lynda Berkowitz, former CEO of ILIA Beauty, and veteran of Too Faced Cosmetics, KORRES and Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. Finally, "Mr Cool" himself, Henry Davis, former President of Glossier, Inc. and current CEO of Sakara Life. We covered a lot of ground, from what to look for in a company at that key inflection point, to how to best manage investors and Boards. One thing everyone agreed on was that building the right leadership team is critical to success. So to challenge my smarty-pant guests, we played a game where they had to pick one candidate for a pivotal role on their leadership team from a pool of three purposefully imperfect candidates. You're welcome to play the game (see graphic below), and let us know whether you'd pick "Talented Tammy", "Ambitious Amber" or "Lovely Lori". You have to pick one, and there is no right answer. And if you'd like to find out who our panelists picked, then go to Episode 141 in the Replay Library (https://rb.gy/tcsjjl) and check-out the full episode. Special thanks to our generous sponsor Merit Manufacturing. Because when you need it made right, you need it #MeritMade. #weareindiebeauty #hereforthefierce #beauty #beautybusiness #beautyindustry #beautybrands #beautyretail #beautyentrepeneur #cosmetics #skincare #haircare #retail

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📈 Q3 2024 Beauty Deal Flow Analysis 📈 The latest report from BeautyMatter and John Cafarelli underscores the dynamic nature of Q3 deal flow in the beauty and wellness sector, revealing a blend of opportunities and challenges that are shaping the market landscape: Strong Deal Activity Despite Headwinds – Q3 saw a 30% increase in deal volume over Q2, with skincare and wellness brands leading, accounting for over 40% of transactions. The premium skincare and clean beauty categories continue to see strong valuations as consumer demand for quality, effective self-care remains resilient. Retail Strength Amid Brand Failures – While major retailers reported strong beauty segment performance (notably in haircare, and fragrance), the competitive market has led to brand failures, particularly among emerging brands struggling to differentiate. This underscores the need for clear value propositions in today’s crowded marketplace. Public Market Performance Under Pressure – Despite robust private deal activity, beauty stocks have faced challenges, with key players seeing volatile stock performance in Q3. This market reality highlights a divide: while PE growth investor interest remains strong, public market reception reflects cautious investor sentiment. Innovation and Sustainability as Key Growth Drivers – Nearly 25% of Q3 deals involved brands focused on sustainability or clean beauty, highlighting investor preference for brands that align with consumer values around eco-consciousness and innovation. At True Beauty Ventures, we remain committed to deploying capital thoughtfully in support of beauty brands that redefine the industry and meet consumer needs in new, compelling ways. Thank you to Beauty Matter for this comprehensive look at beauty deal flow! Cristina Nuñez #beautyinvesting https://lnkd.in/eQHiK_WM

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For industry people, the opportunity pockets opening up for product innovation are right underneath new consumer needs–think about the skincare formulations that Ekta Yadav mentioned. The "Ozempic Economy" is skewing the luxury industry in that direction in most categories, and there's room for all of them to find solutions to concerns just over the horizon. For consumers, that means wider access to the drug fairly soon. As with anything you put on or in your body, pay close and careful attention to long-term effects. The market is forecasting what those effects will look like. Decide whether engaging is worth the time, money, and energy you will likely invest later. Keeping a close eye on size inclusivity will be important. “[Plus-size] will be the most at risk category if Ozempic becomes mainstream outside of medical and celebrity usage. Even when the body acceptance movement was at its peak, the industry wasn’t responding fast enough.” - Kayla Marci, EDITED market analyst #Luxury #Trends #Predictions

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Newness launch Day at Credo Beauty 🚀 Our new Better Roots Growth Support Shampoo, Conditioner and industry-first Growth Support Styling Foam went live today at Credo. We couldn't ask for better launch partners for these products and thank you to our spectacular merchant Gabriella Ramirez and all of our other amazing friends and partners at Credo. These 3 new products bring our Better Roots range to 6 incredible breakthrough products, making Better Roots one of the most comprehensive product ranges for Scalp Care and Hair Growth Support in all of haircare and in the opinion of many, by far the most innovative. I will go as far as to say that we are helping to pioneer an entirely new category, as we prefer to describe Better Rooots as Products for Hair Longevity - at the core hair longevity is what Better Roots is really all about for us - helping people to enjoy beautiful, healthy hair throughout their entire lifetime and experience all of the joy and life enhancing benefits of having beautiful, healthy hair gives us. It's not enough to offer solutions for hair loss, we want to help prevent it in the first place - or at the very least, greatly reduce it. And this applies to graying as well. Across the 6 Better Roots products we are incorporating more than 20 of the most advanced clinically proven actives for the scalp, hair follicles and the strands they create and support. This 360 degree approach to problem solving formulation from every angle makes these products a true n of 1. Each Better Rooots formula is developed in-house and every raw material is sourced directly by us giving us true 100% visibility and control over our supply chain. In terms of Clean Beauty + Science, Better Roots is the gold standard. Nothing is left out or left to chance. From the level of naturality through end of life biodegradability, and an unrivaled level of ingredient safety across every measure. Lastly but perhaps most importantly, Better Roots incorporates the most cutting edge, clinically supported, science backed active ingredients plus a sensorial experience to match, with divine textures and 100% natural light yet gorgeous scents that elevate these products to a new dimension of product experience, efficacy and connection. If you've read this far, you must be curious to try them by now. And of course, you should. ;) Very special thanks to our amazing technology partners, without whom we could not create this incredible collection. You all truly bring the magic. Mibelle Group Evonik Actera Provital Lucas Meyer Cosmetics - by Clariant Ashland Sino Lion USA SOZIO Inolex Dow P2 Science, Inc. Colonial Chemical, Inc. Givaudan Eden Botanicals BIOLANDES Innovacos Corp. Chemyunion evident ingredients GmbH

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In this Beauty Investor Q&A, I spoke with Deborah Benton, Founder & Managing Partner, Willow Growth Partners. Willow Growth is a Los Angeles based, early-stage investor with brands like Bubble, Kosas, Jupiter, LUS Brands, MANSCAPED, Skylar, True Botanicals & many more....in their portfolio. Here are a few key points from the Q&A: 1. Investment Criteria: Seeks beauty/wellness brands with $1M-$5M revenue and strong growth metrics. 2. Funding Rounds: Typically leads with $2M-$2.5M investments, sometimes smaller checks alongside aligned leads. 3. Founder Mistakes: Not defining uniqueness, lacking financial knowledge, failing to show values alignment. For the full Q&A & insights on beauty & wellness investment trends, successful founder traits & evolving role of the institutional beauty investors, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ggzgvFep ................................................................... Jump Accelerator: Profitable Growth, Fundraise & Network for women beauty founders Grow to $20M-$50M+ with 0 risk, 10X ROI in short & long-term with 100% doable solutions W/O breaking the bank Together, let’s create “A Woman’s World.” ................................................................... #fundraising #venturecapital #beauty #wellness #founders

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Love this NSQ by Rachel Brown in Beauty Independent. While one size never fits all, there is an emerging trend with more nascent brands looking to bring in executive teams and a founder empowering the team to run the day-to-day while the founder exploits their superpower. At True Beauty Ventures, we are firm believers in identifying and enhancing a founder’s superpowers. It is one of the first things we try to assess when getting to know a brand. Part of this exercise requires understanding a founder’s strengths and weaknesses and where their strengths can most positively impact the brand and business while aligning with their interests and passions. In the article, Cristina Nuñez, co-founder and partner at True Beauty Ventures, emphasizes that appointing C-suite executives early can greatly benefit emerging beauty brands. She highlights that early leadership helps to establish a clear strategic direction, operational efficiency, and strong investor relations. Nunez notes that experienced executives can drive growth and navigate the complexities of the beauty industry effectively, which is crucial for startups aiming for long-term success and market differentiation.

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The explosion of small brands in beauty is not over. The industry by definition is fragmented and the dynamics that foster small brand growth continue to exist today - low barriers to entry, limited capital required to launch, consumers desire for innovation, advantages of a digital landscape and ability to take share from larger players. What is starting to inhibit growth for small brands is the increased capital required to scale coupled with a tighter fundraising environment with more discerning investors and longer lead times to close deals. This is certainly making the already very difficult task of scaling a beauty brand even that more challenging. Nonetheless, the beauty industry will always attract investors who are looking for the best emerging brands to back. The issue is the demand for capital far outweighs the supply. Thanks for including me in this piece Rachel Brown and Beauty Independent! True Beauty Ventures #beauty #Investing #vc Rich Gersten McKinsey & Company

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🚀 Cut Waste, Avoid Excess Stock, Maximize Efficiency 🚀 Fashion brands, it's time to revolutionize the way you manage your inventory! With Impact Analytics's AI-powered solutions like PlanSmart and InventorySmart, you can forecast demand accurately, plan smarter, and reduce overstock and wastage. ✅ Predict demand with precision ✅ Plan inventory levels right ✅ Minimize excess stock and cut costs Let AI transform your supply chain into a lean, efficient machine. Say goodbye to waste and hello to optimized stock with our innovative solutions! #FashionTech #AI #InventoryManagement #Sustainability #SmartPlanning #CutWaste #EfficientOperations Solution by: Impact Analytics 🚀 🚀 Speak with IA experts and book a demo today! https://swiy.co/ai-expert Tagging my favourite brands: Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. Aditya Birla Group Landmark Group SNITCH Siddharth DUNGARWAL Ananya Birla Connect with few of the incredible folks at Impact Analytics: Mrinal Kamboj Anshuman Patnaik Raj Mohan Radhika Khurana

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Raise funds using full canvas info to pitch 1000+ beauty investors The doc offers a snaphot of the full canvas info on TOP 3 Beauty Investors 1. True Beauty Ventures, New York, New York Early Stage Rich Gersten: Co-founder + Managing Partner Cristina Nunez: Co-founder + General Partner 2. Short List Capital, San Francisco, California Seed, Early Stage: Collective Collective: Carol Bonnie, Heidi Castelein, Kate Harbin Clammer, Jessica Farron, Katie Schwab Paige, Alison Pincus 3. Fearless Fund, Atlanta, Georgia Seed, Early Stage Founders: Arian Simone & Ayana Parsons Check the doc for their beauty funder fit scores, inclusivity investments, beauty portfolios, last beauty investment, etc. The Beauty Funder Fit Score is based on a formula that takes into account multiple factors: -resources -network -no. of beauty investments -no. of beauty exits -recency of beauty investments, etc. BFF score will get more accurate as the platform evolves. To watch the JUMPURSE platform preview & Raise money using full canvas info to pitch 1000+ beauty investors Go to Jumpurse platform on my site: Link in the first comment OR click the website link on my profile above. ………… Jump Accelerator -Reimagine roadmap to your end game-Profit goal, Cash fuel Profitable growth on the path to $20M-$50M+ for women-led beauty brands with the ONLY “fit, full & fully executable solution using first principles” Let’s together create “A Woman’s World.” ................................ 💰 Pitch 1000s of beauty investors on JUMPURSE, platform on my site #fundraising #venturecapital #investors #beauty #founders #organicskincare #organicbeauty #greenbeauty #indiebeauty #cleanbeauty #makeup

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Aug'24: Beauty Investor Feature 1-Short List Capital City: San Francisco, California Stage: Seed, Early Stage: Collective Collective: Carol Bonnie, Heidi Castelein, Kate Harbin Clammer, Jessica Farron, Katie Schwab Paige, Alison Pincus Mission: Back innovative thinkers who can transform consumer experiences and industries by reimagining everyday life. Focus on sectors like clean beauty, inclusive fashion, mental health, sustainability, & technology Latest Beauty Investment: Mar, 2024-Reel Last Beauty Exit: 2024-K18 Check out the doc for their BFF=beauty funder fit scores, inclusivity investments, beauty portfolios, last beauty investment, etc. & for more information on -how to apply -what they look for -investment thesis -how to pitch -contact details -Jump Conclusion & Reco for Pitch -details on Beauty Funder Fit Score Watch the JUMPURSE platform FREE PREVIEW by clicking the website link on my profile & then click FUNDRAISE on top right ................ JUMPURSE, by Jump Accelerator, The ONLY fundraising platform with full canvas info on 1-page to attract, engage and, hopefully never, pitch 3000+ beauty & wellness investors. FREE PREVIEW JUMPURSE on my website link above. #capital #beauty #wellness #fundraising #startups

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The good news: your premium beauty brand has achieved distribution in Big Box Retail. The bad news that most analysts fail to spot: if your product is super successful in Big Box retailers, you will likely be cloned. Let’s look at Edge, the market leading shave gel. One US HNW member of our global network of HNW and UHNW consumers went to Walmart. He spotted the Edge for $5.17 and the Walmart gel for $2.17. He tried it, liked it, and switched. In Europe, private label knockoffs are high quality and about 35 percent of all sales. In the US, private label knockoffs are rising in quality and are about 17 percent. In the US, the percent of products across dozens of categories that are private label is growing rapidly, along with the quality. The challenge in premium beauty, as in premium fashion, even wine, is that the quality of mass products is also going premium. Big Box retailers understand they need to deliver premium quality to attract affluents, but at a much better price. When The Luxury Institute, LLC predicted years ago that the only products left standing would be Luxury and commodity products, we did not predict that the commodity products would lack branding and high quality. Just that they would be forced to cut prices in a race to the bottom. The Age of AI only makes it worse.

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Check out this insightful #interview with Sarah Woelfel from CULT Capital on The Consumer VC, hosted by Mike Gelb. They discuss key trends in consumer and #beautyinvesting, the evolving landscape of venture capital, and valuable insights for #founders and #investors alike. A must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of #consumergoods and #venturecapital! Love every word❤️. #buildingabrand #investments #founders #venturecapital #customerlove #productquality #accessibleluxury #brandlove #beautybrands2024 #valuecreation #omnichannel #lovebrands #longterm #partnerships

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Indie brands are facing a fair amount of challenges right now. I've talked before about how important it is to establish financial security as a founder first, and these trends reinforce that idea. Cash flow matters, big time. Delayed payments from retailers, even well-established ones, can disrupt everything. You want a cushion in this climate. #IndieBeauty #BeautyIndustry #Beauty

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Episode 2 of Brilliant Commerce is out! 🎉 I sat down with good friend Alexandra (Ali) Weiss, Glossier, Inc.'s former CMO, to dig into what it was really like building one of beauty's most influential brands. We first met at Camp Glossier ⛺️ in 2015, when she had just joined with an unconventional background in finance and ballet rather than traditional marketing. Some of my favorite moments from our conversation:  → The time her team's calendar invite strategy for Black Friday nearly crashed our servers → A Boy Brow billboard becoming an unexpected part of Boston's championship parade → How major beauty brands were still debating whether they needed Instagram accounts while Glossier was rewriting the social media playbook But what really struck me was Ali's methodical approach to measuring customer experience: → Layer 1: Understanding core customer behavior and purchasing patterns → Layer 2: Learning who these customers really are → Layer 3: Measuring brand perception and awareness → The "side dish": Starting every marketing meeting with a real customer story 🎧 Listen on Apple: https://shorturl.at/qoaRa  🎵 Tune in on Spotify: https://shorturl.at/vplGm  ✍️Read our Blog: https://shorturl.at/SaSfF 

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When the going flounders, it's back to the founders! 1. Gregg Renfrew buys back Beautycounter saving it from foreclosure 2. Alyson Hogg, founder of Vita Liberata, purchased the self-tanning brand back from Crown Laboratories to prevent bankruptcy 3. Naomi Watts, founder of menopause based products- Stripes, has bought back the brand 4. Zoë Foster Blake has regained control of Go-To Skin 5. Francesco Clark had bought back Clark's Botanicals 6. Katherine “Annie” Finch, founder of Katherine Girl, took back the reins in 2021 Thanks for the share Rachel Brown of Beauty Independent JUMP to CONCLUSION -Acquirers focus on scale, creating a funnel to JUMP revenue & profit and follow a finite timeline to achieve the same, and if they aren't able to do so, they are likely to give up. -Step-change in funnel profitability is driven by brand & the core promise, beyond incremental FUNNEL improvements -Brand promise is driven by purpose, core reason for being So, to turnaround a brand, back to the founder makes perfect sense and the founder also knows that "money is in the buy" Founder's passion to work on the core promise, making a difference, understanding the pulse & problem of the consumer helps with reigniting the brand. 5 tips for founders trying to revive their brands after taking back the reins -Plug the leaks -Go and find the core issue/issues that caused decline -Frame issues into one "CORE CHALLENGE" -Design a core promise-& a strategy to deliver core promise- to overcome the core challenge and apply fresh to all the consumer touch points -Deliver Fast forwards, better than quick wins, to keep everyone motivated and validate the turaround strategy .................................................................... Jump Accelerator: Reimagine Growth: Profit Goal, Cash Fuel Profitable growth on the path to $20M-$50M+ for women-led beauty brands with a "fit, fundamental & fully executable" solution using first principles W/O breaking the bank on ads, influencers, reckless distribution Together, let’s create “A Woman’s World.” ..................................................................... 👆 FREE ONLINE COURSE via the website link above! 🌅 Follow me for counter-intuitive, growth insights & female founder stories #founders #venturecapital #mergersandacquisition #beauty #startups

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