Direct-to-consumer
A retail strategy where brands sell straight to shoppers and own the customer relationship.
Tara Bosch says food startups should try natural grocery before mass retail
The SmartSweets founder's advice is less glamorous than a Target endcap and more useful: natural grocery can give tiny CPG brands room to prove they deserve the shelf.
Karissa Bodnar says an iPhone eyeliner ad took Thrive Causemetics from $150 days to $30 million in months
The founder’s version of the Thrive Causemetics breakout story is less girlboss magic than inventory anxiety, unpaid labor, and one very lucky eyeliner ad.
Lily Kanter says a rescue deal made it impossible for Serena & Lily to raise another dollar
The prettiest crib bedding company in America got dragged into the ugliest corner of startup finance.
Curt Richardson says OtterBox revenue fell after a $1.1 billion peak, but profit rose
The OtterBox founder gave the rare founder update that actually explains what happens after a breakout product becomes boring.
Kenneth Cole says wholesale won't build your brand if you don't own the customer relationship
On How I Built This, Cole gave a very department-store-era warning to modern founders: revenue through retailers can look like momentum while quietly leaving the brand in someone else's hands.