From 0 to $200M: Investor Lessons Every Founder Needs

Let’s Talk About What AI *Can’t* Do

Is AI Coming for Your Job or Making It Better? In this mind-opening episode, I sit down with Kevin Pereira, Managing Director at Blue Artificial Intelligence and professor at HKU, to talk about the real state of AI in 2025. We go way beyond the hype and cut through the noise to explore: - The biggest AI trends founders need to know - What’s actually worth your time vs. what’s just noise - The rise of virtual influencers and how brands are using AI to scale content - The future of work, team structure, and which jobs AI won’t touch - Common mistakes founders make when using tools like ChatGPT - The real difference between open-source AI like DeepSeek vs. closed models like GPT - Why AI ethics is about to become a mainstream job - Kevin’s favorite underrated AI tools (beyond the usual suspects) This isn’t just another "AI will change everything" chat. It’s a no-nonsense founder-focused conversation about how to think smarter, build faster, and stay human in an AI-saturated world. About Kevin: Kevin Pereira is the Managing Director at Blue Artificial Intelligence, where he advises organizations on AI implementation and strategy. He also lectures at HKU and HKUST on the future of work and ethical AI. Kevin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpereira12/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpereira12/] Blu Artificial Intelligence: https://www.blu.ltd/ [https://www.blu.ltd/] — ✨ About This Podcast Season This is Episode 7 of Season 1, where we explore what goes into building a cult consumer brand: from strategy and storytelling to community, content, and commerce. Each episode unpacks a core pillar of modern brand-building through real founder stories and tactical insights. This episode is all about: How AI actually impacting the future and how to best use it for your brand. Previous Episodes in the Season: Ep 1: Foundations of Your Brand for the Future Ep 2: Building a Community Ep 3: Raising Funding Ep 4: Role of Creativity Ep 5: Distribution: Shopofy DTC, Wholesale, Amazon Ep 6: Scaling with Intention and Personal Branding for Founders — 🔗 Links Founder Resources from Anya Evans → https://stan.store/anyaevans [https://stan.store/anyaevans] VMC Newsletter → Sunday Substack https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/ [https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/] Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/7onnGEi [https://open.spotify.com/show/7onnGEi]... Listen on Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast]... --- 💡 Free Resources for Founders - Access Notion Database 👉 Get access to the VMC Vault: https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/ [https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/]... --- 🗣️ Let’s Keep the Conversation Going What part of this conversation hit hardest for you? Are you rethinking your go-to-market strategy? Want help applying this to your brand or portfolio? DM me on IG (@imanyaevans) I’d love to hear your take. And if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: → Leave a rating + review → Share it with a fellow founder or investor → Subscribe to Voices of Venture Muse Club for more episodes on building the brands of tomorrow This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit venturemuseclub.substack.com [https://venturemuseclub.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

She Built a Fashion Brand From Scratch While Raising a Toddler

What if the best thing that ever happened to your brand... was that it didn't go viral? In this founder interview podcast, we sit down with Monica Millington, the fashion brand founder behind Singapore-based Sette, a slow, soulful brand that’s redefining what it means to build a sustainable fashion business from scratch. Monica shares the raw, behind-the-scenes story of launching her label while navigating motherhood, moving across the world, and choosing purpose over pace. We talk about how to start a clothing brand without a blueprint, what it really means to build a founder-led brand, and why showing up online (imperfectly) might be your strongest growth strategy. If you're a mom founder, a first-time designer, or building a personal brand, this episode is your permission slip to do it your way. 🧵 Chapters 00:00 – Intro: Who is Monica Millington 01:45 – The leap: How she started her fashion brand 04:10 – Finding her voice as a founder-led brand 06:30 – Content strategy for personal branding 09:15 – Boundaries, authenticity, and showing your real life online 13:00 – The reality of sustainable fashion production 17:45 – Why she manufactures in Bali (and how she found her partner) 23:00 – Packaging, ethics, and the non-negotiables 25:00 – Pop-ups vs retail: What actually works to grow a fashion brand 30:00 – Building in Singapore: The long game 33:00 – The power of slow growth 40:00 – Motherhood and ambition: Building without guilt 46:00 – Faith, family, and reframing success 54:00 – Final thoughts: Loving the journey ✨ About This Podcast Season This is Episode 6 of Season 1, where we explore what goes into building a cult consumer brand: from strategy and storytelling to community, content, and commerce. Each episode unpacks a core pillar of modern brand-building through real founder stories and tactical insights. This episode is all about: Scaling with Intention and Content for Personal Branding as a Founder. Previous Episodes in the Season: Ep 1: Foundations of Your Brand for the Future https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc [https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc] Ep 2: Building a Community https://youtu.be/iIrodggV21c?si=I5v4SUVpXKf0oh8m [https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc] Ep 3: Raising Funding https://youtu.be/UzSHmLCSB-g?si=oIKMH4BKLUBk6noj [https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc] Ep 4: Role of Creativity https://youtu.be/JcQ-CmBiQcg?si=RHFMKkuFSH8y2LGp [https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc] Ep 5: Distribution: Shopofy DTC, Wholesale, Amazon https://youtu.be/OVRk-aelLdc?si=T2TbpZ42FIWg0-tx [https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc] 🔗 Links Founder Resources from Anya Evans → https://stan.store/anyaevans [https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc] VMC Newsletter → Sunday Substack (https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/ [https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc]) Monica’s brand Sette → https://settethelabel.com/en-sg [https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc] Monica’s IG → https://www.instagram.com/monicamillington/ [https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc] Listen on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/7onnGEip01cdEDzOdKU5Ml?si=K53gWkJ1SiCwBclJ4iYkLw [https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc] Listen on Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/voices-of-venture-muse-club/id1812913607 [https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc] 💡 Free Resources for Founders - Access Notion Database 👉 Get access to the VMC Vault: https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/ [https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc]... 🗣️ Let’s Keep the Conversation Going What part of this conversation hit hardest for you? Are you rethinking your go-to-market strategy? Want help applying this to your brand or portfolio? DM me on https://www.instagram.com/imanyaevans/ [https://youtu.be/6wy1Ht8N2eo?si=Pnu2shhx2oEKOLZc] - i’d love to hear your take. And if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: → Leave a rating + review → Share it with a fellow founder or investor → Subscribe to Voices of Venture Muse Club for more episodes on building the brands of tomorrow 🔑 Keywords: how to start a clothing brand, how to start a fashion brand from scratch, founder interview podcast, fashion brand founder, fashion founder interview podcast, female founder story, female mom founder story, mom founder story, how to grow a fashion brand, content strategy for small business, content for a personal brand, building a sustainable fashion brand from scratch, behind the scenes of a fashion launch, how to build a founder-led brand This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit venturemuseclub.substack.com [https://venturemuseclub.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Amazon, Shopify, or Duty-Free? The Truth About E-Commerce Distribution Strategy

In this episode of Voices of Venture Muse Club, we sit down with Roslyn (Furry Muse) and Quentin (The Rocks), two founders who’ve built thriving e-commerce brands using completely different distribution strategies. Roslyn scaled a fashion-forward pet accessories brand through community-led brand building, influencer marketing, and Shopify DTC. Quentin built the #1 whiskey stone brand on Amazon, and now sells through duty-free channels like Korean Air, Lufthansa, and Emirates. We unpack: → E-commerce distribution strategy: DTC, Amazon, wholesale, and beyond → Profitable product strategy: Why more SKUs ≠ more sales → Brand building through community: What worked (and what didn’t) → Influencer marketing for e-commerce: One UGC reel changed everything → Duty-free brand strategy: How a small brand landed on 14 airlines → Building a consumer brand in 2025: What actually drives traction today → E-commerce founder advice: The underrated tactics and hard lessons Whether you’re launching your first product or scaling your brand globally, this episode is packed with insights that will reshape how you think about growth. 🎧 Tune in, take notes, and don’t forget to download the free e-commerce strategy resource linked below. — 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned 🔗 Follow Roslyn’s brand Furry Muse → https://furrymuse.com [https://furrymuse.com] 🔗 Follow Quentin’s brand The Rocks → https://www.rockscs.com [https://www.rockscs.com] Mandala Club (https://mandala.club/ [https://mandala.club/]) – mention “Anya Evans” for dining credits when signing up VMC Newsletter: Sunday Substack (https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/ [https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/]) 💡 Free Resources for Founders 👉 Get access to the VMC Vault: https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/to/VI59eFLe [https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/to/VI59eFLe] 🗣️ Let’s Keep the Conversation Going What part of this conversation hit hardest for you? Are you rethinking your go-to-market strategy? Want help applying this to your brand or portfolio? DM me on https://www.instagram.com/imanyaevans [https://www.instagram.com/imanyaevans] - i’d love to hear your take. And if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: → Leave a rating + review → Share it with a fellow founder or investor → Subscribe to Voices of Venture Muse Club for more episodes on building the brands of tomorrow 🔑 Keywords:e-commerce distribution strategy, building a consumer brand 2025, brand building through community, profitable product strategy, duty-free brand strategy, influencer marketing for e-commerce, e-commerce founder advice This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit venturemuseclub.substack.com [https://venturemuseclub.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Brand Creativity in 2025

Creativity isn’t just about visuals—it’s your sharpest strategic tool. In this episode, I sit down with Sascha Kuntze, Chief Creative Officer at BBH Singapore, to unpack the future of brand storytelling, creative risk-taking, and why some brands build cult followings while others fade fast. We dive into: → How to apply creativity across your business (not just in marketing) → Real examples like Loewe, Skims x Nike, and the Heineken Kicks campaign → Building culturally relevant brand strategies without going gimmicky → What makes a brand investable from a storytelling standpoint → The creative mindset shift every founder needs in 2025 Whether you're building a beauty brand, launching a DTC product, or investing in the next cult label—this episode is packed with branding advice for founders, long-term marketing strategy, and insights into how creativity fuels growth. 🎧 Subscribe for more episodes on building brands investors want to fund. --- 💡 Free Resources for Founders - Access Notion Database 👉 Get access to the VMC Vault: https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/to/VI59eFLe [https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/to/VI59eFLe] --- 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned Mandala Club (https://mandala.club/ [https://mandala.club/]) – mention “Anya Evans” for dining credits when signing up VMC Newsletter: Sunday Substack (https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/ [https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/]) Connect with Sascha Kuntze: https://www.thisguyprobablycostsalot.com/ [https://www.thisguyprobablycostsalot.com/] --- 🗣️ Let’s Keep the Conversation Going What part of this conversation hit hardest for you? Are you rethinking your go-to-market strategy? Want help applying this to your brand or portfolio? DM me on https://www.instagram.com/imanyaevans/ [https://www.instagram.com/imanyaevans/] or connect on https://www.linkedin.com/in/annakhegay/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/annakhegay/] - i’d love to hear your take. And if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: → Leave a rating + review → Share it with a fellow founder or investor → Subscribe to Voices of Venture Muse Club for more episodes on building the brands of tomorrow 🔑 Keywords: brand creativity in 2025, branding advice for founders, creative risk taking in branding, beauty brand storytelling, how to apply creativity in business, marketing creativity examples, what makes a cult brand, long term brand strategy, culturally relevant brand strategy, building brands without venture capital This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit venturemuseclub.substack.com [https://venturemuseclub.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

From 0 to $200M: Investor Lessons Every Founder Needs

Most consumer brands fail. Many that raise VC do it too early - and burn out fast. In this episode, I’m joined by Bjorn Bergstrom - founder, investor, and ex-VC who scaled his last brand to $200M in 5 years. He’s now building a house of brands and investing in the next generation of consumer businesses. We cover: → Why most consumer brands fail to scale → Fundraising mistakes that kill brands → What investors really look for in founders → How to build profitable brands without VC → How to break through the noise in crowded markets → Why distribution and unit economics matter more than aesthetics → When (and if) you should raise venture capital → The new playbook for building consumer brands in 2025 This is one of the most tactical, founder-focused conversations we’ve had on the show. If you’re building a consumer brand - or investing in them - this episode is a must-listen. → Free Download: Investor Readiness Checklist (Get it here → https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/to/VI59eFLe?typeform-source=www.youtube.com [https://venturemuseclub.typeform.com/to/VI59eFLe?typeform-source=www.youtube.com]) 🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned The Wild Ventures (Bjorn’s house of brands) → www.thewildventures.com/ [http://www.thewildventures.com/] Bjorn on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/bergstrombjorn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bergstrombjorn] Forerunner Ventures → https://www.forerunnerventures.com/Felix [https://www.forerunnerventures.com/Felix] Capital → https://www.felixcap.com/ [https://www.felixcap.com/] NAKD (Bjorn’s previous brand, scaled to $200M) → https://www.na-kd.com [https://www.na-kd.com] Nothing (consumer tech brand, competitor to Apple) → https://nothing.tech/ [https://nothing.tech/] VMC Newsletter on Substack → https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/ [https://venturemuseclub.substack.com/] Mandala Club (mention “Anya Evans” for dining credits when signing up) → https://mandala.club/ [https://mandala.club/] 🗣️ Let’s Keep the Conversation Going What part of this conversation hit hardest for you? Are you rethinking your fundraising strategy - or how you’re building your brand for long-term profitability? DM me on Instagram @imanyaevans or connect on LinkedIn - I’d love to hear your take. And if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to: → Leave a rating + review → Share it with a fellow founder or investor → Subscribe to Told You It’d Work for more episodes on building the brands of tomorrow This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit venturemuseclub.substack.com [https://venturemuseclub.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]