Today’s the day!?DTC LIVE LONDON is here!

Hello Linked In friends, ?

Today’s the day!?DTC LIVE LONDON is upon us!

The journey began with a simple post-it note.?

It's a reminder of how one idea can change your business world.

Below is a photo of me dancing, possibly after a few drinks, but what stands out is the window behind me, plastered with post-it notes.

That very window marks the birth of DTC Live, a concept that started from a casual chat and has since evolved into a transformative force that has already positively impacted over thousands of British brands.

Transitioning from a traditional agency to an event series and community meant embracing 'pivot' and 'adaptability' - two terms every entrepreneur knows well. It was through building a community that I truly grasped the value of coming together.?

Our community, filled with decision-makers, tech founders, and investors, doesn't just support the DTC Live brand - it’s all about having that vibrant ecosystem fostering growth, support, and investment opportunities for everyone.?

And let's not forget the entrepreneurial process of testing, learning, and repeating. Of course, there have been many obstacles, not least in the beginning when we had little idea about events.?

Venue sourcing, securing sponsors, and inviting industry experts as speakers were some of the initial hurdles. Each obstacle overcome has been a stepping stone, giving real meaning to this iterative process that is faced by all businesses.

But step by step, the vision became clearer, the pieces fell into place, and what was once a spread across post its notes has turned into a successful and exciting event series and thriving community.

Now, we're facing new challenges in the industry, from the rise (and ban?!) of TikTok to intricate logistics and team burnout. These challenges underscore the need for a supportive community and actionable insights, which DTC Live strives to provide.

In fact, the landscape of brand e-commerce is perpetually in flux, almost like it's built on shifting sands. Initially, the upheaval was propelled by ever-changing platforms—TikTok, Instagram, Facebook—all of which are continually updating and altering their algorithms. Now, businesses are also confronting an array of volatile variable costs, from tumultuous supply chains to soaring labour expenses.?

The need for a supportive community and actionable insights has never been more vital, and that's precisely what DTC Live aims to offer as we expand our reach and diversify our offerings.

Following that first cluster of Post-it notes, it's surreal to look back and see how far we've come, especially when considering the extraordinary people we've had the privilege of hosting on our stage.?

From some of the UK's most renowned brand founders to game-changing brand CEOs, individuals I’d once never imagined I’d know are now friends.

Each year, over 1000 brands attend and speak at our conferences, join our Gamechangers workshops, VIP Dinners and let their hair down at our legendary summer socials at Ascot.

We always want to make sure we bring the best of the best to our DTC Live stage. And, this time, I have to say that’s exactly what we did. We have an incredible lineup with speakers from many of the UK’s largest and most well-known brands, including household name brands, including…

Joanna Jensen founder of Childs Farm Ltd

Clay Wertheimer , VP Rugs, Europe at Ruggable

Andrew Showman , co founder & CTO The Beauty Tech Group (CurrentBody, ZIIP, Tria)

Laurence Booth-Clibborn , MD & Co Founder of The Mothership

Katy Cottam , CEO of Luna Daily

Chandni B. , CX innovator at Beauty Pie

Tim Martin-Harvey , head of ecom at The Bottle Club

And many more leading voices in retail and eCommerce?

Looking forward, we're excited to expand our reach with additional conferences in MANCHESTER (in collab with Rainy City Agency - Shopify Premier Partner )? AND NEW YORK CITY (in collab with Underground Ecom ), addressing the demand for more stories and support within our global community.

For those on their way to today's event, we look forward to welcoming you. And a pre-emptive apology to anyone I might not get a chance to speak with directly - conference days can be a whirlwind!

I hope (and believe) that everyone will walk out of today's DTC Live London with a resounding tick in the three cornerstone boxes that epitomise DTC Live, as we wish to inspire our community to envision new possibilities and ensure everyone leaves with actionable insights & practical tools that can be immediately applied:

? Inspiration

? Education

? Connection

?Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey!

?

Women in Funding and Finance - Let’s meet the panellists.

As a female entrepreneur and proud investor of multiple brands, I pride myself on my in-depth understanding of the landscape I navigate daily. Yet, some statistics and revelations continually shock me.?

In 2021, for every ￡1 of equity investment in the UK, all-female founder teams received a mere 2p, while their all-male counterparts received 84p. Compare that to the 4p received by all-female teams in 2020, and it’s evident that the equity funding landscape for women is arguably getting worse.?

Why does this disparity exist? A key factor is the lack of diversity among investors themselves. Only 15–18% of angel investors are women, and just 11% are from ethnic minorities.?

Investment capital is the lifeblood for many startups, offering them the financial boost needed to realise long-term growth potential.

At this DTC LIVE, we are talking to 4 women in Finance to talk about how they navigate the space.?

Let’s Meet Our Esteemed Panelists

?? Hannah Herlihy Lowe Head of Agency Partnerships at Conjura, a trailblazing eCommerce data analytics firm known for its profound impact on DTC companies. Hannah's leadership at Conjura has been instrumental in providing actionable insights and comprehensive analysis, helping investors and businesses make informed decisions for growth and profitability.?

?? Georgia D'Costa Partnerships Manager at SellersFi, brings a wealth of experience in fostering strategic alliances that empower brands with innovative financing solutions. Her expertise lies in navigating the complexities of brand funding without sacrificing equity, ensuring a sustainable growth trajectory.

?? Anna Graham Managing Director of the eComplete from Manchester, is a visionary in the eCommerce growth sector. Her journey from The Hut Group to leading eComplete embodies a deep understanding of global market strategies and the transformative power of data-driven decision-making in scaling businesses.

?? Kirsty Macdonald Principal at JamJar Investments, the venture capital fund started by the founders of Innocent Drinks, represents the venture capital perspective, with a focus on nurturing and scaling challenger consumer brands. Kirsty's expertise stems from a solid foundation in consumer goods marketing and analytics, coupled with a keen eye for investing in brands that demonstrate exceptional potential for growth.

What to know what questions we will be delving into??

??For SellersFi: How do alternative financing options support brands in their growth without diluting ownership? What challenges do brands face, and how does SellersFi facilitate their journey towards expansion??

??JamJar Investments?will share insights on what makes a brand an ideal candidate for VC funding, the resources and expertise JamJar brings to its partnerships, and the evolving landscape of VC expectations in light of recent social and economic changes.

??Conjura will highlight the role of technology in enhancing the due diligence and analysis process for brands, unveiling some of the most surprising findings their tech has revealed, and common pitfalls brands encounter when seeking funding.

??eComplete will discuss its disruptive approach to Private Equity, and the added value it brings to its investments, and share invaluable advice for brands on their scaling journey.

SEE YOU ON STAGE AT 5PM!?

?One final note,

Are you planning to be at Cosmoprof Worldwide in Bologna? If yes, we've got an exclusive invite just for you!

DTC Live, in collaboration with Rainy City, is organising a special VIP dinner for only 14 brands at the charming Camera con Vista Bistrot on Thursday, March 21st. This dinner is a perfect setting for beauty brands like yours to connect and enjoy an evening filled with engaging conversations and fine dining.

Here's what to look forward to:

An exclusive gathering for top beauty brands.

A beautiful private dining experience.

An opportunity to network with industry leaders and gain new insights.

If you're interested in joining us, DM us to register your interest to WIN a COMPLEMENTARY TICKET. My team will confirm your place and any dietary restrictions you may have.

A big shout-out to our sponsors eComplete Group and SellersFi for their generous support.

We're excited about the possibility of hosting you and hope to see you in Italy!

That's it for this week!?

Thank you for reading :)?

To help continue to build the DTC Live community, please forward this email on to someone you think might like it. Or if easier, share this link.

We'll be back with more growth strategies and insights for eCom and tech brands next week.

Tash?