The Playbook Behind Celebrity & Creator-Founded Brands: What Really Works - Scott Van den Berg
In this episode, Gemma Monclus talks with Scott Van den Berg, founder of HotStart VC, whose team has worked on over 55 celebrity and creator-founded brands, including Feastables with MrBeast and The Honest Company with Jessica Alba.
They unpack:
How HotStart evaluates celebrity and creator-led brands
Why some, like Skims and Fenty, endure while others fade
The importance of celebrity–product fit, storytelling, and community
What it takes for a celebrity to be more than just a face on the packaging
If you’re curious about what makes celebrity-founded brands succeed and what causes them to flop, this episode is for you.
14 Aug 2025
How to Spot White Space in Consumer: The Investor’s Playbook for 2025 - Anne Kurtz
In this episode, Gemma Monclus talks with Anne Kurtz, early-stage investor, brand strategist, and expert at spotting untapped opportunities in consumer — about how to identify real white space in the market and back brands with staying power.
They unpack:
How to spot consumer opportunities before they hit mainstream awareness
The difference between being early… and being too early
Why “unsexy” categories like elder care and postpartum health are ripe for innovation
How investors can avoid chasing hype and instead build conviction around lasting brands
The role of capital, branding, and timing in determining which ideas scale
If you’re curious about the future of consumer investing, overlooked market gaps, or how to back brands with real staying power, this episode is for you.
6 Aug 2025
Why Venture Funds Need to Reimagine Content Strategy to Win - Elena Popovici
In this episode, Gemma Monclus talks with Elena Popovici; growth strategist, ecosystem builder, and advisor to VC funds and underrepresented founders, about why content is no longer a nice-to-have, but a strategic edge in venture capital.
They unpack:
How content has shifted from a marketing tool to core infrastructure inside forward-thinking funds
Why funds that act like media brands are winning the trust of top founders and LPs
What separates content that resonates from generic “thought leadership”
How strong positioning, storytelling, and community-first strategies can shape the perception of a fund long before a pitch
Real examples of content-led growth from inside Europe’s innovation landscape
If you're curious about the future of VC visibility, founder-first thinking, or how content can become your fund’s sharpest differentiator, this episode is for you.
23 Jul 2025
From Ritual to Retail: Building Banu & Lessons from Sephora Accelerate - Roz Samimi
In this episode, Gemma Monclus talks with Roz Samimi, founder of Banu and part of the Sephora Accelerate 2024 cohort, about building an acne care brand that treats people, not just pimples.
They unpack:
Why acne, a condition affecting over 50 million Americans, is still underserved despite the category’s projected $17B market size
How Banu is formulating with intention, prioritizing ingredient rigor, clinical testing across all skin tones, and emotional clarity
What it means to design acne care for adults, not only adolescents, and why so many legacy brands still miss the mark
The role of community, empathy, and science in Banu’s brand architecture
What Roz has learned from being part of Sephora’s Accelerate program and how it’s shaped Banu’s early strategy
If you're interested in the future of skincare, the redefinition of acne as a long-term skin type, or how to build an emotionally intelligent beauty brand from day one, this episode is for you.
10 Jul 2025
Single-Round Pre-Seed, A Smarter Bet for UK VC? - Kiran Mehta
In this episode, Gemma Monclus talks with Kiran Mehta, a former VC turned operator, about a contrarian approach to early-stage investing: single check funds that invest once and never follow on.
They unpack:
Why the traditional VC logic of follow-on investments might be flawed
How single check funds can reduce signaling risk and align interests better between founders and investors
The cultural and market differences between UK and US venture ecosystems, especially regarding exit sizes and founder secondaries
The challenges founders face with multi-round investors and the importance of clear capital strategies
Key disciplines needed to make single check fund models work consistently in today’s market
If you want to rethink venture capital norms and explore a bold thesis on how early-stage funding could evolve, this episode is for you.
2 Jul 2025
Women, Wealth, and the Power of Tailored Financial Learning - Ayesha Ofori
Gemma Godfrey interviews Ayesha Ofori, founder of Propelle, about the evolving landscape of personalized financial education for women, highlighting technology's role in addressing the gender wealth gap.
26 Jun 2025
What Should Investors Monitor in Fashion, Beauty & Wellness in 2025+? - Suad Fakih
Investor Suad Fakih explores the future of consumer brands with host Gemma, discussing resale opportunities, loyalty evolution, science-led beauty, and key traits of high-potential brands in this interview.
19 Jun 2025
Will Luxury Ever Let Go of Control? — Carlota Rodben
Carlota Rodben, author and former Head of Innovation at CHANEL, examines the evolving definition of luxury, including resale, blockchain's role in provenance, and shifts in distribution, in an interview.
28 May 2025
What Growth Channels Are DTC Brands Still Overlooking?
Tracy, co-founder of TNGE, reveals overlooked growth channels for DTC brands, like TikTok and Amazon, and how brands can scale beyond traditional paid ads in this interview.
21 May 2025
Is the future of branding immersive?
In this episode, we unpack one of the most urgent questions facing modern brands: is the future of branding immersive?
Joining us is Anne-Liese Prem, Head of Cultural Insights & Trends at LOOP and a leading voice at the intersection of emerging tech and cultural strategy.
We discuss:
🧠 Why play, participation & cultural curiosity are key to future-proofing brands
🕶️ Which immersive technologies are here to stay—and which are just hype
🎮 How Gen Z is reshaping brand identity through digital self-expression
⚠️ What brands get wrong when chasing innovation
A must-listen for anyone building in brand, culture, or the evolving world of immersive consumer experiences.
14 May 2025
How should investors rethink their strategy now that PE dominates beauty exits?
In this episode, we unpack one of the most significant shifts in beauty M&A: the rapid rise of private equity.
Joining us is Tina Henry, founder of CXT Investments and one of the most respected voices in early-stage consumer investing.
We discuss:
✨ What makes a “good” early-stage beauty deal today
📦 Which categories + models are best positioned for PE exits
🚫 Common mistakes investors still make
📉 How valuations could shift going forward
A must-listen for anyone navigating beauty, investing, or the changing face of consumer M&A.
3 Dec 2024
The Future of PR: Storytelling, Strategy, and Smarter Solutions with Emily Austen
Emily Austen, founder and CEO of EMERGE, shares her insights on the future of PR, emphasizing the power of storytelling, quality engagement, and smarter solutions in a digital age.
25 Oct 2024
Nurturing Real-Life Communities in a Digital Landscape with Nicola Gunby
Join us as Nicola Gunby, founder of CLIQ, shares how she’s transforming the way we connect by building a platform that bridges online and offline communities. CLIQ allows individuals to interact and join interest-based clubs, fostering real connections in a digital age. In this episode, Nicola discusses the power of community-driven events, how brands use the app to deepen engagement, and the evolving roles of influencers and community members in marketing. She also reveals how CLIQ grew its user base organically and her approach to securing funding while staying true to her mission. This episode is packed with valuable insights on the future of community and connection—don’t miss it!
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Find out more about Nicola Gunby (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-gunby/)
Find out more about CLIQ (https://www.thecliq.app)
Find out more about the host, Gemma Monclús (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmamonclus/)
8 Oct 2024
Building Brands in the TikTok Era: Dulma’s Insights on DTC Growth
Join us as Dulma, the powerhouse behind TikTok’s B School and host of Influence FM podcast, unpacks her journey into becoming a go-to voice in DTC and brand strategy. From the changing rules of social media and personal branding to the resurgence of newsletters like Substack, Dulma offers a fresh take on what’s driving the future of consumer brands. We dive into her thoughts on the "quiet luxury" trend, how emerging brands can outmaneuver giants like Nike, and what’s next for celebrity-led businesses. Plus, Dulma gets real about the personal growth practices that have fueled her success and how she stays true to her mission, even when it’s time to pivot. This episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
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Find out more about Dulma Altan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dulma/)
Find out more about the host, Gemma Monclús (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmamonclus/)
24 Sept 2024
The AI Talent Agency for Creators: Jake Browne’s Vision for Retrograde
Join us as Jake Browne, co-founder of Retrograde and former co-founder of Peblo, shares the journey behind his tech ventures. Jake takes us through the origins of Peblo, how its vision evolved, and the process leading up to its exit. We also explore the lessons he's carried into his new venture, Retrograde, an AI-powered platform designed to streamline brand deals for content creators. Jake explains why now is the right time to launch Retrograde, the ideal creator it serves, and how the platform can streamline their work.
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Find out more about Jake Browne (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakebrownedublin/)
Find out more about Retrograde (https://www.linkedin.com/company/retrograde-ai/posts/?feedView=all)
Find out more about the host, Gemma Monclús (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmamonclus/)
9 Sept 2024
Curating the Future of Fashion: Vanessa Mace’s Journey with Bessette
Join us as Vanessa Mace, co-founder of Bessette, reveals the story behind her pioneering online fashion sample sale platform. Discover how Bessette fills a market gap, curates its inventory, and how they navigate relationships with online retailers.
Vanessa discusses the challenges Bessette has faced, shifting consumer preferences, and the role of logos in fashion.
Tune in to learn how Bessette tackles overproduction, and hear Vanessa’s vision for the brand’s future.
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Find out more about Vanessa Mace (https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-mace-96986449/?originalSubdomain=uk)
Find out more about Bessette (https://www.instagram.com/shopbessette/?hl=en)
Find out more about the host, Gemma Monclús (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmamonclus/)
26 Aug 2024
Unpacking China's Spending Trends: Insights from Jing Zhang, Editor-in-Chief of Jing Daily
Join us as Jing Zhang, Editor-in-Chief of Jing Daily, shares her expert insights on the future of Chinese consumer behavior.
We discuss key trends in the beauty and fashion sectors, the rise of Chinese e-commerce platforms, and the shifting dynamics of luxury sales. Jing also explores generational differences among Chinese consumers, the challenges for international brands entering China, and the growing influence of women in spending.
Tune in for a concise overview of the trends shaping China’s market and what they mean for global brands.
___
Find out more about Jing Zhang (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jing-zhang-0a34908/)
Find out more about Jing Daily (https://jingdaily.com)
Find out more about the host, Gemma Monclús (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmamonclus/)
Who has been a guest on Industry Voices
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Ayesha Ofori
Suad Fakih
Carlota Rodben
Tracy
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