Lily Kanter is the co-founder of Serena & Lily, detailing the rapid growth of the company's direct-to-consumer revenue following their catalog launch.
Assertion Not checkable as stated
A private equity firm demanded controlling interest in exchange for 17% equity
“They're asking for a controlling interest in your company for a 17% of your equity, you know.”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
A 2X participating preferred term blocked Serena & Lily from raising capital
“One of our other major investor on Sandhill Road came up with the capital. They actually put the money into the company on top of our cap stack, on top of the capital chart, At a very heavy duty preference of a two X preferred participating, very gnarly securi…”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Maveron told Serena & Lily they wouldn't even fund Starbucks in 2008
“In fact, Maveron, who was, you know, came from the money of Starbucks, they told us that if Starbucks had walked in their door right now, they wouldn't fund them.”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Mandatory employment contracts saved founders from board-forced company sale
“Listen, we, the board could have voted to sell the company because they had enough votes around the table that were incentivized to sell the company.
The problem is that the acquisitions were requiring us to sign three year employment contracts.”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Founders used an 'oversold' pretext to secure 50% deposits from wholesale buyers
“So, we're like, hey, why don't we call all of them? And let them know that we are in an oversold situation with our initial production, and if they would like to guarantee their order, they would have to provide us a 50% deposit on their order. And the oversol…”
Assertion Supported
Wendy Bellissimo dropped 600-800 specialty retailers for a Babies 'R' Us exclusive
“Wendy Bellissimo, who had a, probably, 600, possibly 800 independent specialty stores selling her, Beautiful premium crib bedding. Literally faxed down her entire independent channel, thanking them for their amazing patronage for the last X number of years, an…”