TALA’s Post

This week we closed a Series A funding round at TALA! And today Sky News called it breaking news 🗣🪐🤯😅 https://lnkd.in/gkNv7bAH I can’t quite believe it’s been three years since starting our first funding round, and in that time since we started the last round TALA has grown tenfold & stayed profitable every single year in an incredibly tough market. As a team we’ve innovated, gone boldly into whole new products, made lots and lots of mistakes (!!) and invested countless hours into making sure we’re never complacent for our customers - and I could not be prouder of us. I got a bit emotional looking back at our previous round’s pitch deck where we reached every single promise we set and over delivered for our shareholders too which I’m really proud of. And let me tell you, because I think it’s important to be transparent, funding rounds are gruelling! It’s taken us 7 months to get this closed, and it’s so far from just signing on the dotted line. When it comes to due diligence there is never a stone in the business unturned, you have to be constantly hitting new targets whilst running the business alongside which is actually the worst thing in the world to be completely honest 😂 It’s like you’re driving down a motorway but also building the car at the same time and also having to make sure the people in the car are doing okay and maybe also feeling car sick. That being said, I will never take this moment for granted. We’re a female-founded business with a female CEO and majority female leadership positions, in a country where just 2% of VC funding in the UK goes to female-founded businesses—so I don't underestimate how statistically almost impossible it is to reach this stage of funding, let alone a business lifecycle. This is a HUGE moment for the team, and we’ll be celebrating in the office this week 🪩 but it also goes so far beyond me. This is a huge thank you to anyone who’s ever interracted with, bought from, worn or talked about TALA. I take the responsibility to build you your ideal clothing company very very seriously, and I’m so honoured to have the opportunity 🤍 Haven’t tried TALA yet? I guess now’s the time to see why we’re rated above all competitors on TrustPilot + why our customers come back for more month after month: wearetala.com

Excited to be the lead investor in the Wefunder community round for NOPALERA. As the parent of three half-Mexican boys, it’s important for me to have them see their culture celebrated in the beautiful way Sandra Velasquez is building a Latino legacy brand. If you haven’t tried their beauty products yet, you can find them in Nordstrom, Whole Foods Market, and Credo Beauty. You can learn more about the founder by watching her episode of Shark Tank ABC, where she declined two offers. And, if you want to participate in the campaign, it closes soon (My Katalyst Impact Fund is the lead for this round to make investing more accessible to those who are interested — the minimum investment is $100). Links in the comments below. #DEI #Entrepreneurship #FemaleFounders #InvestInWomen #Beauty

THIS IS A PSA: 1,256 According to Harlem Capital’s 2023 Diverse Founder Report that is the number of Black and Latino founded companies that raised over $1 million dollars from venture capital. 1,256 And if you break out the number of female founded companies, the number is even less. Tuesday I got a chance to talk to Sandra Velasquez, CEO of NOPALERA. Sandra is one of the 1,256! If you’re like me and have followed Sandra’s journey from making cactus soap in her kitchen to being on Shark Tank ABC to going coast to coast on store shelves (Whole Foods Market, we see you), then you know what she has accomplished in just three years (YES, IT’S ONLY BEEN 3 YEARS). According to Business Insider, women are more effective company leaders, but we are less likely to receive VC funding. Couple that with being Latino or Black, and you’re chances of getting funding decreases exponentially. "But, what can I do?," you ask. Glad you asked. Sandra is currently fundraising and you too can be an owner of NOPALERA. NOPALERA is doing a community round using Wefunder. So if you, or someone you know, would like to INVEST IN A FEMALE FOUNDER, click the link below. https://lnkd.in/ey-YTD8j #investinwomen #femalefounders

💡Journey started as a salesperson and became world’s youngest self-made billionaire. How? ⏩ Meet Sara Blakely, who sold fax machines from door-to-door. But? ⏩ One day, Sara was getting ready for a party. At that time, she realised that she didn’t have smooth-looking undergarments for wearing under white pants, and this began the journey of Spanx. Then, ⏩ Sara Blakely founded Spanx in 2000 at Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. Spanx is an American company that focuses on shapewear brands, making undergarments, leggings, and swimwear, and these garments are sold in over 50 countries. ⏩ At this time, Sara started her new journey and “Every new journey brings new challenges.” Here are the challenges, ❎ No experience: she had no experience in fashion, retail, and business leadership. ❎ Limited funds: she had just $5000. ❎ Handled marketing herself. ❎ Opposition from the producers But, She accepted the challenges and made them into opportunities. ✅ Opened Sara Blakely Foundation: This foundation empowers women, and Sara donates 50% of her wealth here to philanthropic initiatives. ✅ Became a mentor: she supports entrepreneurs by guiding and supporting them to achieve their goals. 💡 This woman used her entire life savings of $5000 to launch her product. In 2012, she was the world’s youngest billionaire, with a revenue of $1.1 billion. #spanx #empoweringwomen #clothingbrand #startupstory To share your startup story write us on - contact@startuprise.io

Is Kim Kardashian IPO ready? That's the question we at Inc. Magazine set out to answer when it became clear that her company, SKIMS, was going to make the Inc. 5000 for the first time. Clearly, Kardashian isn’t new to business. The TV star has long flexed entrepreneurial muscles. But licensing and pitch-person deals aside, Skims marks Kardashian’s first true commercial hit. And it’s a big one: The Los Angeles-based company, which is profitable, more than quintupled its annual revenue over three years, to nearly $713 million in 2023, putting it firmly on Inc.'s 2024 list of the 5,000 fastest-growing companies, at No. 1,168. And just over a year ago, a $270 million fundraise helped catapult the brand's valuation to $4 billion. How Skims hit the upper echelon? It started with increasing shapewear’s visibility versus treating it like something that’s embarrassing or ugly. If someone like Kardashian found value in it, it must be OK, right? "I always wore it and it was shamed," she says. "Everyone thought it was some old-lady garment--like a girdle!" Kardashian also teamed up with Jens Grede, a branding whiz whom she’d met through Emma Grede, her sister Courtney’s business partner at denim brand GOOD AMERICAN. Grede signed on as Kardahsian’s co-founder and the pair have been on a solid trajectory since. Top-shelf collabs with brands like SWAROVSKI and Fendi have helped cement the brand’s appeal among fashion-forward consumers. The company’s growth strategy of “drops” that tend to sell out have also led to Skims’s exclusive vibe. The question now is whether the brand, which has IPO aspirations, can grow like a more traditional retailer. In addition to expanding into menswear, pajamas and sweats etc., the business recently launched its first bricks and mortar location in Georgetown in Washington, D.C. More locations are on the way. Whether Skims would ever grow beyond Kardashian remains an open question—one that according to her she isn’t willing to consider. "I don't see myself stepping down from creative anytime soon," she says. "This is what I love, this is my baby." Check out our story by Max Berlinger here and you can make the determination for yourself whether Kardashian and the company she has built is IPO ready.

Vogue. Allure. Fast Company. Cosmopolitan. Glamour. Seeing 4.5.6 Skin being championed by institutions like these? It's an honour that means the world 🙏 And it gives me hope for a more inclusive future… Because here's the sad truth: People of colour make up over 60% of the global population. But when it comes to the $186 billion skincare market… Less than 1% of products are specifically formulated for our melanin-rich skin. For too long, we've felt frustrated, overlooked, and undervalued. But thanks to the help of iconic voices like those mentioned above… And thanks to passionate supporters and friends like you… We're FINALLY changing that narrative. And now? 4.5.6 Skin is just getting started. Not only have we helped thousands of customers achieve healthier, happier skin… ● We've just passed our 4M€ valuation ● We're about to roll out nationally at a luxury UK retailer ● And the 4.5.6 Skin Club community continues to expand with sold-out events… But as our brand grows and as we continue to serve a hugely underrepresented audience… Our mission remains unchanged. We want to democratise the science of skincare. We want to give people of colour the skincare solutions they deserve. And we want to expand our reach to help more people feel confident in their own skin. Which is why we need your help. 4.5.6 Skin is about to launch a crowdfunding campaign… I'm thrilled to say that we've had hugely generous pledges from dozens of industry leaders. But in truth, this isn't just about seasoned investors. It's about you – our community, our supporters, our believers. We want to give you the chance to own a piece of our skincare revolution. So if you want to invest in a future where every shade is celebrated… This is your opportunity to become more than a supporter. It’s your chance to become a partner in our mission for truly inclusive beauty. Curious about how you can join the 4.5.6 Skin story? Click the link in the comments to learn more about our crowdfunding campaign. Together, we'll create a world where every skin tone is understood, celebrated, and cared for. Thank you 🤎 Disclaimer: Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high risk investment. #Skincare #Crowdfunding #Beauty

They said Beyoncé couldn't sell shampoo, but could she be playing a whole different game? Several months ago, Beyoncé introduced us to her hair care product line. At the time, there were mixed emotions and reviews from the general public. Many believed that Beyoncé did not have a strong enough personal brand to launch a successful hair care line. Despite Beyoncé being a brand in her own right, there were doubts about whether her personal brand was compelling enough to make people buy whatever she sells. However, let's look at this from a different perspective. First, I don't believe this hair care line was geared towards the average consumer. It seems it was less of a B2C (business-to-consumer) product and more of a B2B (business-to-business) product, targeting professional hairstylists. Second, I'm not sure that Beyoncé intends to create a product to be sold in local retailers like Target, at least not right now. Third, my gut tells me this is a strategic move to create an equity cash grab by building a company that she can quickly get valued at $150 million to $250 million. This will not only boost her venture capital fund, which funded this venture but also push her quickly over the billion-dollar mark in net worth. So, if we view this from the lens that she's building this company to sell it within three to five years, then many of her moves start to make sense. What are your thoughts? Photo courtesy of cedred.com

Activist investor demands don't always align with what's best for the long term future of retailers or brands. However, the points being made by investors Engaged Capital LLC and Legion Partners Asset Management, LLC about VF Corporation are not unreasonable. Cutting costs and streamlining operations are what VF should have been doing anyway. Not making any further acquisitions until existing brands are operating optimally is sensible. And reviewing the portfolio to ensure it is focused on growth opportunities, is reasonable. The blunt truth is that VF has underperform massively and needs more focused thinking and much sharper execution. Thanks to The Business of Fashion for including my thoughts in this article... #retail #retailnews #fashion https://lnkd.in/dNrhUePK

Are you a sneaker enthusiast looking to invest in your passion? 💸👟 When it comes to sneaker investment, it's important to know which kicks are worth the money. With the sneaker market booming, finding the right pairs to invest in can be a lucrative opportunity. From limited edition collaborations to timeless classics, there are certain sneakers that hold their value and even appreciate over time. Do your research, stay informed on trends, and consider factors like rarity, condition, and brand reputation when deciding where to put your money. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting out, investing in sneakers can be a rewarding venture. 💼 Let's discuss in the comments below - which sneakers do you think are worth the investment? #SneakerInvestment #SneakerCulture #InvestingInKicks 🚀

Sneaker Brand Philanthropy #SneakerKindness: How Philanthropy is Shaping the Sole of Sneaker Brands In recent years, sneaker brands have stepped up their game beyond the realms of fashion and athleticism, venturing into the realm of philanthropy with a purpose. The hashtag #SneakerKindness has become a rallying cry for a new era of corporate responsibility, as brands align their values with giving back to communities in need. One notable player in this movement is the iconic sneaker brand, [Brand Name]. Known for its cutting-edge designs and high-performance footwear, [Brand Name] is making strides in philanthropy with a commitment to creating a positive impact. Through strategic partnerships and community-driven initiatives, the brand has taken its mission beyond the feet and into the hearts of those less fortunate. #SoleWithPurpose has become synonymous with [Brand Name]'s efforts, exemplifying the brand's commitment to making a difference. Whether it's donating sneakers to underprivileged youth or investing in community sports programs, [Brand Name] is using its influence to create lasting change. But it's not just about donations. [Brand Name] is leveraging its platform to raise awareness about important social issues, using the power of the hashtag to spark conversations and inspire action. The #StepUpForChange campaign encourages followers to take steps, both literal and metaphorical, towards positive societal shifts. This digital movement has transcended the online world, with [Brand Name] organizing events and activations that bring the community together for a common cause. The impact of #SneakerKindness extends beyond [Brand Name]. Other major players in the sneaker industry are joining the movement, recognizing the importance of giving back. Through partnerships with local charities and global organizations, these brands are using their influence to make a meaningful impact on a global scale. In a world where consumer choices are increasingly driven by social responsibility, the #SneakerKindness movement represents a positive shift in the industry. Sneaker brands are not only defining style but also shaping a future where corporate philanthropy is a driving force for positive change. As consumers lace up their sneakers, they are not just making a fashion statement but also walking in the footsteps of a movement that aims to leave a lasting imprint of kindness on the world. Https://amzn.to/3TrDzGj