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In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Hannah Dittman interviews Deborah Benton, Founder and Managing Partner of Willow Growth Partners, to discuss the realities of building and investing in high-growth consumer brands.

Deborah shares insights from her extensive career leading and scaling brands such as Nasty Gal and ShoeDazzle, and explains how those experiences shaped her investment philosophy at Willow. She outlines the differences between early-stage venture, growth, and private equity investing, highlighting how valuation, operational excellence, and true alignment between investors and founders influence long-term success.

The conversation highlights Willow’s investment in Coterie, illustrating the principles of strategic execution and long-term vision. Deborah also reflects on the psychological and emotional challenges founders face, the value of transparency in investor relationships, and the need for sustainable, human-centered growth in the consumer sector.

This episode offers a comprehensive perspective for entrepreneurs, operators, and investors seeking to understand what defines successful partnerships, responsible capital raising, and lasting brand impact.

Tune in now to gain practical insights from one of the leading voices in consumer growth investing!

Listen in as they share about:

• Willow Growth Partners Overview
• Investment Philosophy and Valuation
• Understanding Investment Stages
• Evaluating Founders
• Psychological & Emotional Realities of Founding
• Common Fundraising Mistakes
• Market Trends and Future Outlook
• Advice for Founders and Investors

Episode Links:

Website: https://willowgrowth.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debenton/ 

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Hannah's Linkedin 
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics