In this episode, Ethan speaks with Manica, the founder of Top Not Ventures. Manica shares her journey from investment banking to founding her own venture capital fund dedicated to consumer investments, particularly in beauty. With 16 investments in 14 portfolio companies, Manica explains why the beauty sector is attractive for investments, citing high margins, customer loyalty, and strong exit opportunities with large conglomerates. She also discusses the growing importance of wellness in beauty, the challenges of celebrity-backed brands, and offers insights on the current investment landscape for beauty startups. Key points include the need for early product-market fit, the strategic value of maintaining a direct-to-consumer presence, and the potential shifts in the M&A landscape.

00:40 Manica's Career Journey02:09 Why Beauty?07:47 Sustainability and Wellness Trends in Beauty11:17 Global Beauty Trends and Consumer Preferences14:40 Challenges and Opportunities in Beauty Investments23:00 The Future of Beauty Brands and Investments32:12 Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

Welcome to 'The Great Pursuit,' hosted by Ethan Song, where we delve into the world of entrepreneurship.In this episode, Rudra B. Persaud shares his journey from big conglomerates like Danone and Nestle to the startup world, diving into his experience at Liquid Death and now leading Lucky Energy. Learn about the inspiration behind Lucky Energy, the challenges and strategies in the highly competitive energy drink market, and the keys to their rapid success. Rudra also discusses the importance of taste, marketing, and distribution in building a beverage brand, and the future trends he sees in the industry, including CBD and psychedelic-infused drinks. Tune in for a deep dive into the beverage industry's inner workings and what it takes to disrupt it.

01:26 Founding of Lucky Energy04:41 Distribution Strategy and Early Success08:59 Recent Funding and Strategic Partnerships10:55 Challenges and Success Factors in CPG13:26 Trends in Beverage M&A15:44 Energy Drink Market Dynamics20:10 Joining the Rocket Ship: Liquid Death Experience22:04 The Secret Behind Liquid Death's Success24:08 The Importance of Taste in Beverage Success26:55 Marketing vs. Distribution: What's More Crucial?32:46 Challenges and Opportunities in the Beverage Industry36:05 Future Trends in the Beverage Market

Welcome to 'The Great Pursuit,' hosted by Ethan Song, where we delve into the world of entrepreneurship. In this episode, Ethan chats with Andy, the founder of Vessi, a fast growing footwear brand known for its waterproof, comfortable shoes. They discuss the journey of starting a sneaker brand, the importance of timing and product-market fit, and how Vessi managed to reach over $100 million in sales within seven years without external funding. Andy shares insights into transitioning from D2C to omnichannel, the complexities of entering new market segments, and the future of the athletic footwear industry. Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with entrepreneurial wisdom, market trends, and the story behind a burgeoning footwear empire.00:31 Meet Andy: The Footwear Entrepreneur01:13 The Journey to Starting Vests02:17 Designing Footwear: From Sketch to Sample04:20 The Success of Vessi: Timing and Innovation07:45 Market Position and Brand Evolution16:12 Future of Athletic Footwear17:48 The Challenge of Diversification in Sports Brands19:17 Nike's Recent Performance and Future Prospects21:46 The Impact of Lifestyle Trends on Athletic Brands25:30 Advice for Growing Brands32:06 The Role of the CEO in Brand Success34:10 Exciting Developments for 2025Subscribe to never miss an episode: