UGLY TALK: WHY INVESTORS DON’T BET ON YOUR BRAND
A great product does not automatically make a brand fundable.
Your snack can taste incredible. Your skincare line can have loyal fans. Your beverage can be moving. Your apparel brand can have real heat. But investors may still pass.
This edition of Ugly Talk pulls back the curtain on the consumer brand fundraising process. We're bringing CPG and DTC investors into the room with a successful bootstrapped founder to unpack the unpolished reality behind what makes a brand investable and what quietly kills the deal.
The conversation will dig into the signals investors actually care about: traction, margins, repeat purchase, category timing, retail readiness, founder-market fit, and the story behind the numbers.
🎯 Why You Should Attend
Understand how investors evaluate a pitch and a deal.
Know the quiet red flags that can kill your chances without you realizing it.
Learn which KPIs and metrics actually matter, and which ones are overhyped.
Spot narrative gaps that can quietly hurt fundraising outcomes.
🙋 Who's Getting In This Room
Consumer brand founders across food, beverage, beauty, wellness, apparel, lifestyle, and beyond.
Venture capital investors looking to invest in CPG and DTC.
Angel investors who are looking to back early-stage CPG and DTC companies.
🎤 Who’s Taking the Stage
Daniel Faierman - Partner at Habitat Partners
Daniel Faierman is a General Partner at Habitat Partners, an early stage VC firm based in NY that focuses on Pre-Seed to Series A investments across the technology and consumer ecosystems. The fund was born out of the renowned creative and branding firm, Red Antler. Habitat Partners’ active portfolio includes Figure AI, Farther Finance, Motion (Creative Analytics), Truehold, Haven Energy, Rainbow Insurance, Pop Up Bagels, and many others. Daniel has been an investor and operator for nearly 10 years with prior experience at organizations such as PepsiCo, AB InBev, Selva Ventures, VMG Partners, and Lyra Collective. Daniel is also an active angel with personal investments in Mid-Day Squares, Nara Organics, KilgourMD, Machina Labs, Keychain, Tiny Health, and several others. Daniel holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BA from Yale University, where he was a former varsity tennis player.
Sydney Karmes-Wainer - Founder & CEO of French Squirrel
Sydney Karmes-Wainer is the founder of French Squirrel, a wellness snack brand inspired by her French roots and personal healing journey. After struggling with disordered eating in college, she studied in Bordeaux and reconnected with a balanced, joyful relationship to food. While working at Erewhon, she began making protein bites that helped her heal—and quickly gained a cult following. Encouraged to turn her hormone-friendly snacks into a brand, French Squirrel was born. Today, her mission is to help women nourish their bodies with snacks that are as good for the soul as they are delicious.
Douglas Cajas - Head of Media Investments at mediaforgrowth
Douglas Cajas is Head of Media Investments at mediaforgrowth (MFG), a media-for-equity investment firm helping growth-stage consumer brands accelerate growth through premium media, strategy, and creative services. With more than 20 years of experience in media, marketing, and go-to-market strategy, he works with founders to assess brand readiness, sharpen growth plans, and scale across television, streaming, digital, and out-of-home. Previously, Douglas held senior roles at RTL AdAlliance and Axel Springer. He has also co-founded ventures in social dating, digital real estate, and cross-cultural retail, bringing both an investor’s and founder’s perspective to the conversation.
Moderator:
Glenn Johnson - Marketing Consultant/Fractional CMO
Glenn Johnson works with brands, startups, and founders to address their marketing and branding needs. “From 0-1, to pivot and growth, from idea to production, from packaging to sales strategies, key markets and comp set research and who to work with, I craft a plan and a strategy to get it done. I help brands build their business, for me, Ugly Talks is about the story and the lessons.”
A former VP/Creative Director at a Madison Avenue agency specializing in luxury and bespoke audiences, he brings expertise across multiple verticals. As a category-agnostic brand storyteller, he helps founders define their mission, vision and develop their brand business.
💬 What We Do Not Sugarcoat
Why do investors pass on strong products?
What makes a consumer brand feel fundable?
How much traction is enough?
What matters more: revenue, margins, repeat purchase, retail doors, or community?
When is venture capital the wrong path?
What red flags quietly kill a deal?
How should founders talk about the numbers without over-polishing the story?
What do investors wish more consumer founders understood before pitching?
Who's Backing This
Born in Brooklyn, The Yard is a network of thoughtfully designed coworking spaces across New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Chicago. It’s where entrepreneurs, professionals, and creators connect, collaborate, and thrive.
1. Coworking Membership at $189/month (6-month sign-up)
2. Complimentary Day Pass (promo code GREYJ25)
3. 20% Off All Bookings with promo code GREYJ25 (Multi-Day Passes, Day Offices, Meeting Rooms, and more)
GREY Journal – Media partner spotlighting modern entrepreneurs (featured on Apple News + Google News).
⭐ About Ugly Talk:
Started in 2019, Ugly Talk has been transforming business setbacks into breakthrough “aha!” moments by hosting unfiltered, no-nonsense events where battle-tested entrepreneurs share their raw lessons and insights.
With a growing presence in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami, we’ve built a vibrant community of thousands of founders and industry leaders making a profound impact on the entrepreneurial landscape.
Official Website: UglyTalk.com
📢 Important Notice for Ugly Talk Attendees
Admission & Confirmation
Attendance is by approval only. Approved guests will receive a confirmation email along with a calendar invite. Invitations are non-transferable. Additional event details will be shared as the event approaches.
Code of Conduct
By attending, you agree to:
Maintain respect and professionalism, adhering to all venue rules, policies, and applicable laws.
Refrain from harassment, discrimination, unwelcome sexual advances (verbal or physical), intimidation, or inappropriate photography/recording.
Report any violations to the event hosts immediately.
Violations may result in immediate removal from the event and exclusion from future invitations.
Liability & Risk
Participation is voluntary and at your own risk. The event organizers, hosts, sponsors, and venue are not liable for personal injury, lost or stolen belongings, or any other damages incurred during the event.
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By attending, you grant the event organizers and affiliated entities the right to capture, use, and distribute photos, videos, and audio recordings of you for promotional, marketing, and other lawful purposes, including digital and print media, advertising, and social media. You waive any right to inspect or approve the final materials and release all claims related to their use.
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Agreement
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