[Julian Carter]

Great breakdown, Arun! As someone who’s invested in early-stage beauty & wellness startups, I’ve seen brands struggle with funding because they focus too much on branding instead of business structure.

✔ Investors want scalable supply chains – If a brand can’t secure reliable manufacturing & distribution, growth stalls. ✔ Retail placement matters – Direct-to-consumer is great, but retail partnerships provide sustainability & investor confidence. ✔ Loyalty-driven revenue models – Brands that build strong repeat customer bases prove long-term viability.

One thing I tell founders: Think beyond the influencer model—investors aren’t funding popularity, they’re funding execution.

Curious—what beauty & fashion startups have impressed you with their funding strategies lately?