Mike Gelb

The Consumer VC

A podcast serving founders and investors that want to learn how some of the top venture capitalists that invest in B2C businesses make investing decisions.

Past guests include:
Mark Gainey, Founder of Strava
Andy Dunn, Founder of Bonobos
Ariel Kaye, Founder of Parachute
Denise Woodard, Founder of Partake Foods
Nagraj Kashyap, Managing Partner at Softbank Investment Advisors' Vision Fund
Wayne Wu, General Partner at VMG
Mike Duda, Managing Partner at Bullish
Brendan Rogers, Co-founder of Wag! and 2am
Madeline Haydon, Founder of nut pods
Matteo Franceschetti, Founder of Eight Sleep
Bret Thomas, Founder of CAVU Venture Partners
Carter Reum, Founder of M13
Soraya Darabi, Founder of TMV
Elizabeth Yin, Founder of Hustle Fund
Ariana Thacker, Founding Partner of Conscience VC
Henri Pierre-Jacques, Founder of Harlem Capital
Greg Bettinelli, Partner at Upfront Ventures
Daniel Gluck, General Partner at Powerplant Ventures
Kiva Dickinson, Founder of Selva Ventures
Adelle Archer, Founder of Eterneva
Kanyi Maqubela, Founder of Kindred Ventures
Steve Hughes, Founder of Sunrise Strategic Partners
Seth Goldman, Founder of Honest Tea, Eat the Change and PLNT Burger
Spike Mendelsohn, Celebrity Chef & Founder of Eat the Change, PLNT Burger
Jesse Draper, Founder of Halogen Ventures
Nick Saltarelli, Founder of Mid-Day Squares
Charles Hudson, Founder of Precursor Ventures
Rick Desai, General Partner at Listen Ventures
Michele Romanow, Founder of Clearco
Mac the VC, Founder of Rarebreed
Michael Ronen, Founder of Branded
Jason Karp, Founder of Humanco, Hu Kitchen and Hu Chocolate
Jackie Fast, Founder of Sandbox Studios
Joe Kudla, Founder of Vouri
John Foraker, Founder of Once Upon a Farm
Kate Beardsley, Founder of Hannah Grey
Mike Ghaffary, General Partner at Canvas
Nisha Dua, Founder of BBG Ventures
Ben Sun, Founder of Primary Ventures
+ more

Ranked by Listen Notes as one of the top 1% most popular shows globally.

To learn more, head over to www.theconsumervc.com

Founder & Host

Manufactured

Community Manager

Grishin Robotics

Venture Scout

Clearco

Venture Partnerships

Team Shift 

Venture Development Analyst

University of Southern California - Marshall School of Business

•	Conducted due diligence and interviewed social media startup that has currently raised $500k; presented findings and recommendation to head of venture capital fund.
•	Developed processes for LP management, sourcing and portfolio company management.

Venture Analyst

•	Led sessions tutoring operations and supply chain material to International Business Education and Research (IBEAR) students

Teacher Assistant

Sunset Canyon Group

I co-founded an ecommerce private label company that sourced, marketed and sold consumer products on Amazon as well as our own brand sites. The company sold chair hammocks, laybags and mason jar soap dispensers.

•	Researched and analyzed niche-markets. Founded and launched e-commerce businesses selling retail consumer products, growing business to $25k in monthly sales
•	Negotiated product sourcing with American and Chinese manufacturers.
•	Sold direct to consumer products on Amazon.com and analyzed key search terms in order to improve return on ad spend.

Business Development Strategist

Smart eStrategy

Smart eStrategy is a digital marketing service that specializes in Social Media and Website Optimiation for ecommerce and service products. Their main clientele are startups that already have operations processes in place to which they're in a position to scale exponentially. 

•	Managed non-profit’s Facebook marketing business and grew business over 2,000%, by using data analytics to analyze consumer segments and building a sales funnel.
•	Lead sales calls with prospective clients and grew business revenue by $80k / year.
•	Audited prospective clients Facebook Business, Website, and Google Analytics accounts and recommended sales strategies.

Ads Strategist

William Morris Endeavor

William Morris Endeavor is one of the largest entertainment agencies in the world. Fortune lists them as top 25 private companies. From critically acclaimed television and film to bestselling novels and sold-out concerts, they influence an unparalleled amount of compelling experiences created around the world each day.

•	Managed contracts for $30M+ in gross earnings and 400 shows per in the north-east of the United States, including Foo Fighters, Florence and the Machine, Sam Smith, Peter Frampton, Morrissey.
•	Coordinated day to day operations for artists such as Tool, Puscifer, Godsmack, The Cult, Failure.
•	Negotiated deal points and contract language with major and independent promoters including Live Nation, AEG, C3 Presents, SLP Presents, Kirschner Concerts.

Music Assistant

•	Proposed and pitched the premier “Spartan Cruise” to Senior Management (The first fitness obstacle course cruise by Spartan Race and by WME and the first cruise with a major brand in the obstacle race industry.)
•	Managed bookings of artists for music cruises and celebrities for comic-con appearances, including Whoopi Goldberg, among others.

•	Managed offices in the music department when staff were absent.
•	Managed ticket counts from promoters for entire company roster.

Music Floater

Howard Benson

•	Studio Caretaker during Rascal Flatts recordings. Documented signal flow.
•	Interim manager of band “Broadway Bullies”. Handled all social media.

Assistant/Runner

Follow for insights on venture capital, consumer startups and tips on how to build your network // Looking To Learn? Head to 👉 theconsumervc.com

I produce content that teaches you how the top consumer VCs invest in the most exciting brands and B2C technology. 

Some of the content I produce:

🎧  Podcast - Learn from some of the top VCs on your time by tuning in twice a week. 
Check it out 👉 theconsumervc.com

🏔 Live events - Come and interact with investors and founders. Last one was with Ty Haney, Founder of Outdoor Voices in Austin on 10/13

✍️ The Consumer Fortnight Newsletter - I share a bit of deal flow to help founders fundraise.
If you're an investor, apply to be added here 👉 https://forms.gle/v2u7wEvwodrNxaQt9

Thank you for reading!

I'm thrilled to share that I started a new position at Bridge 

And I couldn't be more delighted.

Over the past six years, I've been passionate about helping brands on the investment side – whether through curating thoughtful events, sharing content that supports the broader consumer community or connecting them directly with investors (after double opt-ins, of course). I'll continue doing that with Consumer VC

Now, I get to also help brands in a new way: by connecting them with the right lenders for their working capital needs.

Our mission at Bridge is simple but powerful: to give emerging companies the same access to capital that Fortune 500s have always enjoyed.

With a 10-minute application, Bridge instantly connects businesses with top financing partners, turning months of paperwork into competing offers within 48 hours.

I’m deeply grateful to Rohit Mathur, Harte Thompson, Cletus McKeown, and Emily Reeves for the opportunity. Excited to get started!

If you're looking for a lender or looking to get competing offers, feel free to DM me!

#CPG #consumerbrands #workingcapital #growth

Founder and Host of Consumer VC | 300+ Unfiltered Conversations with Top VCs & Founders | Building the #1 Community for Consumer Investors and Founders

I'm flying out from LA for this.

Which I rarely do for NYC events.

Two years ago, Sumeet Shah and I started Consumer Brews with one goal: bring together the people actually building consumer brands—founders, operators, investors—in the same room for real conversations.

No panels. No pitches.

Just the kind of conversations that actually move your business forward.

We're bringing it back December 10th.

If you're working on a consumer brand or thinking about starting one, this is where you need to be.

The full Bridge and VHS Ventures teams will be there.

I'll be wearing my ugly (actually awesome) Capitals Holiday sweater because Go Caps. Right, Sam Wiser

Spots are limited.

Sign up here – https://luma.com/ib64o1kd

cc: Cletus McKeown Emily Reeves

#consumerbrews #consumerbrands #consumer #CPG #coffee #GoCaps

A few weeks ago, my wife, Molly, and I launched a new series for premium Consumer VC substack subscribers called Talking Shop.

Talking Shop zooms in on a particular topic/theme within consumer and asks 1-3 people who we believe are experts (and "in the thick of it") their point of view to become more educated.

This week's edition focused on the cannabis-infused beverage market, which is on a heater.

We were delighted to feature Alexi Chialtas (FIND WUNDER) and Justin Buchanan (Reframe Beverage).

Link: https://lnkd.in/g7qAjWJZ

Our previous editions:

"Investing in Beauty and Personal Care Today"

Featuring:
- Diana Melencio (XRC Ventures)
- Odile Roujol (FAB Ventures Co-Creation Studio)
- Cristina Nuñez (True Beauty Ventures)

Link: https://lnkd.in/gDiphRXq

__________

"The State of the Chocolate Industry"

Featuring:
- Douglas Lamont (Tony's Chocolonely)
- Nick Saltarelli (Mid-Day Squares)

Link: https://lnkd.in/gB4r8Y_W

_________

"Is Protein Peaking or Just Getting Started?"

Featuring:
- Matt Landen (Chomps)
- Melissa Urban (Whole30)

Link: https://lnkd.in/gz5dmYnB

Next up: Current state of seed investing.

What topics should we also explore?

Beauty & Personal Care:

How do you invest in it?

What returns are realistic?

What sets brands apart?


Well, I wanted to find out.

So I chatted with Rich Gersten, Co-Founder & Managing Partner at True Beauty Ventures – one of the most respected early-stage funds in the beauty and wellness space – on Consumer VC

They were early investors in K18, Crown Affair, Vacation Inc., Youthforia among other incredible brands.

We get into:
• Why beauty & personal care consistently outperform other consumer categories
 • How Sephora & Ulta reshaped the entire retail landscape
 • The biggest mistakes founders make when scaling beauty brands
 • How True Beauty Ventures thinks about early-stage investing
 • Why most celebrity brands flop (and what makes Rhode the exception)
 • What’s really happening in beauty M&A and why exits have slowed
 • Valuation discipline, pro-rata, and why execution > product

Thank you to Glimpse for sponsoring this episode –

Glimpse is the most efficient and effective way to make sure that you’re not losing 2-3% of topline revenue to invalid deductions and fees across all the retailers, distributors, and Amazon… without putting any work on your team.

Links in comments below to listen to the full episode 👇👇👇

#beauty #personalcare #investing #venturecapital #retail #brands

Retail Deductions.

Let’s talk about it.

They’re confusing, time-consuming, and often misunderstood — yet they materially impact a brand’s profitability.

I spoke with Akash Raju (CEO & Co-Founder of Glimpse) about how deductions really work and what brands can do to protect their margins on the latest episode of Consumer VC.

Glimpse is the most efficient and effective way to ensure you’re not losing 2-3% of topline revenue to invalid deductions and fees across retailers, distributors, and Amazon… without putting any work on your team.

Glimpse has a 91% win rate on deduction disputes.

We dive into:
• The “deduction economy” retailers never explain
• How to identify invalid deductions
• Why distributors like UNFI + KeHE complicate the process
• When automation + AI can meaningfully help
• Tactical steps founders can take today

If retail is part of your growth strategy, this episode will save you money.

🔗 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gKeytuZR

#retail #CPG #Deductions #Finance #Podcast #ConsumerVC #Margins

Who are the top CPG lawyers who specialize in co-manufacturing contracts?

I have a brand that's in a tough spot and needs some help.

What's your favorite venue in LA for a business event (preferably the westside) for 200ish people?

Harris Fanaroff

Founder

Linked Revenue

Founders, senior executives, and sales leaders turn to us when they want to turn their network into revenue.

By maximizing your LinkedIn presence and activity, we cut through the noise, expand your reach, and build consistent deal flow.

That means content that builds trust, targeted outreach that starts real conversations, and strategic networking that drives results.

Our team is laser-focused on turning your existing relationships—and the ones you haven’t made yet—into high-quality sales meetings.

Learn more at https://linked-revenue.com/

Founder & CEO

Pontoon Solutions

Pontoon is a people-first organization. We architect innovative solutions that enable our clients to achieve optimal business outcomes and stay ahead of future challenges. 

Pontoon delivers transparent and data-driven MSP and RPO solutions that make our clients’ businesses fit for the future and support them to achieve their business goals. Backed by the power of the Adecco Group ecosystem we architect our clients' workforce of the future.

We architect innovative workforce solutions to achieve your business objectives. Through bigger thinking, bigger innovation, and bigger reach, we help you reimagine your way forward: www.pontoonsolutions.com.

Global Head of Client Relations

OKA (Otto Kroeger Associates)

OKA is a training and consulting company specializing in leadership and team development located in Fairfax, Virginia near Washington, DC. Since 1977, OKA has been changing the way you live and work through greater self-awareness and better self-management. Currently the nation's leader in EQ-i Certification, we use today's most effective assessment tools as foundations for our highly engaging, actionable presentations and training programs designed to develop greater individuals, leaders, teams, and organizations.

OKA partners across the government and commercial sectors and is a GSA schedule holder: GS-10F-0015R

Certification & Train the Trainer Workshops
• Emotional Intelligence EQi 2.0/ 360
• DRiV - Values, Motives, and Behaviors
• Pearman Personality Integrator
• Team Performance Inventory
• Hardiness Resilience Gauge
• Change Style Indicator
• Influence Style Indicator
• Decision Style Profile
• DLP/ELP 360
• Advanced Type and Emotional Intelligence
• MBTI Master Practitioner

Leader and Team Development Programs
• Developing Emotional Intelligence
• Understanding Your Values, Motives, and Behaviors
• Custom Leadership Development Programs
• High Performing Teams
• 360 Assessments
• Working Effectively Across Generations
• Developing Resilience
• Creating Safe to Speak Cultures and Teams
• Leveraging the Power of Personality Type
• Effective Decision Making
• Giving & Receiving Feedback
• Managing Conflict
• Having Difficult Conversations
• Leading Change
• Team Tools/ Team Dynamics

Leadership/Executive Coaching
OD/ Change Management Consulting
Leadership Accelerator for Women Coaching Program
Keynote Speaking

Vice President, Client Relationships

Director of Client Relationships

Athlete Roadmap

Athlete Roadmap is designed to support high-performing student-athletes navigate their way through transitions on the field, in the classroom, and in life.

Through a coaching approach, each program gives participants the integral skills to help them grow personally and professionally with the goal of providing the space, mental skills, and resources to help athletes navigate next steps.

Founder, Leadership & Mental Performance Coach

ACT Performance, LLC

I am an ICF-ACC Certified Coach that works with clients to help them unlock their potential. I provide a safe space for clients to learn about themselves and work on pursuing their dreams and goals. 

ACT (Accredited Coaching & Training) Performance LLC primarily works with two groups of clients: 
1. High School, College, and Pro athletes that are interested in working on the mental game.
2. High performing individuals inside organizations that are interested in early morning, late night, or weekend leadership coaching opportunities.

Associate Director, Business Development

Note this is not a job change, I just updated the company to reflect our standalone status. EAB was part of the Advisory Board Company, and then became a separate company.

Senior Manager, Account Management

Win Within Baseball 

Head Coach, Travel Baseball

The Advisory Board Company

• Develop relationships with key decision makers and main points of contact at member college/universities in the U.S., and Canada, and proactively manage these relationships to optimize the value of the Education Advisory Board research programs
• Work to secure annual renewal of membership contracts and corresponding service terms 
• Communicate and monitor member interests to the education research teams on a regular and ongoing basis
• Plan effective strategies for maintaining visibility of services and deliverables at member institutions
• Execute specific initiatives outlined in member service plans
• Facilitate new member orientations by phone or traveling to member institutions

Manager, Account Management

•	Strategized cultivation of territory and focused outreach campaigns to pursue best opportunities which resulted in scheduling over 150 on-site meetings and follow-ups
•	Recipient of the award given to the new hire that best demonstrates the ability to work through challenges by consistently hitting visit goal for two sales managers at one time
•	Selected to participate in ABC’s highly competitive Business Development Internship Program which included presentations in front of senior management
•	Facilitated a class for new-hires to learn the fundamentals of the Advisory Board Company
•	Effectively and successfully handled multiple responsibilities through optimizing time management coupled with upward management, all while working as a team to consistently achieve ambitious short-term and long-term goals

Senior Sales and Marketing Associate

Sales and Marketing Associate

Willco Companies

•  Conducted industrial and commercial property inspections with aligned managers
•  Enforced accountability and performed financial oversight on incoming rent
•  Calculated property value of perspective parcels using comparative data and research

Intern

Phillips Realty Capital

•  Validated and corrected financial and commercial real estate documents
•  Worked directly and gained exposure to a variety of financial loan structuring models
•  Performed due diligence on various commercial properties

Founder @ Linked Revenue | Sharing insights to help Executives and Sales Professionals generate more revenue from LinkedIn

We work with executives who’ve built impressive networks, and help them turn those relationships into revenue.

At Linked Revenue, we specialize in relationship-based selling. Everything we do is rooted in your voice, your network, and your goals.

We co-create content that feels natural to you, research where your connections can open doors, and send personalized outreach that leads to real conversations.

You don’t need to spend hours on LinkedIn. We keep you accountable to a process that works, while making sure your authentic voice shows up where it matters most.

We handle the content, posting, outreach, and engagement, so you stay focused on what you do best while still generating consistent deal flow.

We have helped our clients generate over $10M in revenue from LinkedIn. 

A little bit about me:

- I have a toddler son and baby daughter who are both the best and exhausting
- I was drafted by the Washington Nationals out of high school but got the yips in college 
- I am a certified leadership coach
- I have been to all 50 states
- I am lucky to have an amazing wife who is the rock for our family

Recent Wins:

✅ Helped the Founder &amp; CEO of a Future of Work SaaS company land enterprise deals and secure Series B funding by optimizing his LinkedIn presence and content strategy.

✅ Drove a 300% increase in inbound opportunities for a NYT best-selling author and keynote speaker, leading to more high-value speaking engagements and book sales.

✅ Scaled the LinkedIn presence of a Chief Revenue Officer at a high-growth AI company, directly contributing to a 7-figure pipeline through strategic content and network engagement.

✅ Partnered with 5 top sales professionals in employee benefits to establish them as thought leaders, leading to direct inbound leads from high target prospects.

✅ Worked with the CEO of a leading HR Tech startup to develop a LinkedIn strategy that resulted in multiple investor introductions and high-profile partnership opportunities.

If you're an Executive who is interested in generating more revenue from LinkedIn, I'd love to connect with you.

We help Executives generate more revenue from LinkedIn. 

We believe that Executives should share their distinct voice with the world so our process ensures it sounds like you (because you say it), but you don't have to spend time on the platform. 

Building your brand on LinkedIn is a huge asset for generating new B2B sales opportunities. 

We help you do that.

taplio

The Battle

Mike Gelb

Harris Fanaroff

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreMike Gelb's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Mike Gelb

Harris Fanaroff

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Mike Gelb's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreMike Gelb's LinkedIn Performance