Mac Petrycki

Great article on the founder-investor relationship—one that’s so critical to the success of any venture. Tough times are inevitable, and the true strength of a founder-investor partnership isn’t measured during the good times, but in how both sides show up when things go wrong. These moments test trust, alignment, and shared resilience. As founders, we’re expected to lead our teams through crises, rally, adapt, and navigate the storm. The best investors also show the same level of leadership and step up during challenging moments, offering guidance, empathy, and actionable solutions. It’s a collaborative effort, and I’ve been fortunate to witness how impactful it can be when investors show true leadership. One way to ensure this is to work with investors who’ve been in your shoes before—there’s nothing quite like operator investors to bring valuable perspective and support when it matters most.

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CAVA (~$35M/restaurant) and Chipotle Mexican Grill (~$20M/restaurant) far outperform other industry comps for valuation per location. What's their secret? A recent conversation with investor Andy Giacone from Roark Capital summed it up brilliantly: "I've done due diligence on a LOT of public and private restaurants. One of the assets that consistently leads to the highest valuations is the robustness of a brand's loyalty program. For B2C businesses, a scale and high-performing loyalty program is almost as important as recurring revenue in B2B." Why? Performant loyalty programs offers predictability and therefore downside protection while also making it far easier to achieve robust future growth. McKinsey & Company concurs: "While growth is difficult to sustain, it is generously rewarded. In examining 15 major publicly traded restaurant companies... there was a more than 80 percent correlation between annualized same-store sales growth and annualized total shareholder returns.... Successful loyalty programs translate directly into financial results, often encouraging both larger order sizes and greater order frequency from program members. These programs can funnel customers into brands’ first-party delivery businesses, which offer the brand higher margins than it receives from orders conducted through third-party delivery services."

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Today's Boring Business: NYC Bodega & Deli - $500K Cashflow - $2.1M Revenue Ever wanted to own a Bodega in NYC? We found a listing for a 40-year old deli and convenience store located in Manhattan (Chelsea) Would you buy this business? #SMB #ETA #finance #Cashflow #investing #search #searchfund #privateequity #microprivateequity #smallbusiness #venturecapital #vc #entrepreneur Disclaimer: Hypothetical and illustrative only. Please do your own research (DYOR) or work with tax and legal professionals before making a decision. This video are intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice, nor should be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security by SMB PE LLC or any third party.

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Got together with some of the best DTC founders / execs in the NYC area last night! Thanks to Kait Stephens & Sarah Davidson putting together a really nice, intimate dinner. Talked about a lot of topics including Retail expansion, content strategy & process improvement. - Retail expansion has become a key growth lever for many DTC businesses and much of the discussion was around best practices when first starting to expand and how to capture in-store interactions / valuable customer data. - Every single brand founder wants more organic, raw Customer Generated Content to drive brand awareness and increase conversion. - Discussed the transition of early day company building with a few employees to rapidly scaling and putting processes in place to ensure success. Slow down to speed up. The last hour was all about DTC companies banding together for many things, but we'll leave it at "sharing best practices". Justin Allen led that and fired me up along with everyone around the table. I really pick and choose which events I go to having 3 kids under 6 at home, but these smaller and more intimate dinners are at the top of my list.

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Hey Founders! Not all sales go as planned, in fact many go off track, even after the signed LOI and with parties on both sides aligned. Dealing with hiccups 😬 is as much a part of the process as getting in sync on price, terms, and timeline to closing. So, when a "busted process" happens, or terminated LOI leads to a need to re-engage other buyers, what's the right play? In our experience it happens more with independent PE firms and #searchfunds, but it happens with big firms and strategic buyers too. Give us a few minutes and we'll give you some ideas to get things back on track. Might make or save you $Millions! Maybe more!!

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Have you ever wondered why giants like PepsiCo, Google, Microsoft, and Apple are constantly collaborating with or acquiring startups? As part of my role as GM of PepsiCo Labs,a big part of my job is to identify the needs and challenges in the business that can be solved with emerging tech and take action to address them. It is safe to say that enterprises have a lot of resources. However, they often lack the agility that startups inherently possess. Startups, on the other hand, are innovation powerhouses, unburdened by legacy systems or hierarchical decision-making. They move fast, pivot quickly, and bring disruptive ideas to the table. Enterprises that crack the code on successfully embracing startups infuse this dynamic spirit of innovation throughout their expansive, established business operations, leading to leapfrogging ahead. Startups and enterprises complement one another with their unique strengths while solving each other’s problems. After reviewing thousands of startups and collaborating with hundreds of them successfully, the magic is real. A real-life example of this magic is Bringoz Bringoz is a last-mile orchestration and optimization platform. They bring visibility and effectiveness to our frontline. They have cutting-edge technology, we have the scale. Together, we are improving the daily operations of thousands of associates. #InnovationPartnership #Startups #EnterpriseCollaboration

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🔴Warning to Fellow Startups & Founders: Beware of Fake Investors!🔴 Over the past several months, our startup faced an unfortunate experience with an investor who appeared promising but, in reality, was just wasting our time and resources. We were invited to meetings, pushed through unnecessary documentation, and asked to pay fees for audits and other services. Despite months of effort, travel, and considerable expenses, the promised funds never materialized, and we were left with vague promises, canceled meetings, and wasted energy. This experience highlights a serious issue in the startup ecosystem: Fake Investors who prey on emerging businesses, exploiting their time, hope, and sometimes even money under the guise of "supporting" them. This behavior not only harms individual startups but undermines trust in the entire investment process, particularly for startups in less-funded regions like Bihar. To all founders and entrepreneurs: Be vigilant. Protect your time, resources, and team morale. If an investor’s intentions or actions seem questionable, it’s okay to walk away. Your startup’s time and integrity are far more valuable than any empty promises. #StartupAlert #InvestorWarning #FakeInvestors #StartupIndia #Entrepreneurship #ProtectYourStartup

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Thank you for sharing your opinion, but I would like to offer a more nuanced perspective on startup funding and the challenges founders face, especially here in Bihar. Most startup founders do not “jump” to seek funding without a purpose. If a founder is actively pursuing funding, it’s typically because there is a real, strategic need for it. Building a scalable and competitive business requires significant capital—not only for initial setup, but also for ongoing growth, technology development, and market expansion. These are not trivial expenses, and a startup's journey often moves faster than what personal savings or small loans can cover. While the Bihar government’s initial funding of ₹10 lakh is a valuable starting point, it’s important to be realistic: can a truly impactful, scalable startup be built with this amount alone? This initial capital can help founders get started, but it rarely covers the full cost of building the infrastructure, hiring talent, marketing, and expanding. As a founder of a startup, I can say that this funding often only scratches the surface, and most founders are well aware of what additional investment is needed and why. As for your point about loans, it’s true that schemes like the Mudra Loan exist, but they aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. The process for obtaining these loans is not as straightforward as it may seem, especially for startups that are not yet profitable or are in early stages without collateral. Many banks and loan schemes have complex processes and stringent qualification criteria that can make it challenging, if not impossible, for young startups to secure funds based on projected revenue. For a startup to thrive, accessible financing options are crucial, but they need to be flexible and appropriate for the fast pace of startup growth. So rather than judging founders for seeking funding or assuming they lack direction, it’s essential to recognize the significant challenges they face. Founders in Bihar and across India are not seeking investment because they lack capability or foresight. Instead, they are pushing for resources to scale up, compete, and build impactful businesses that contribute to the economy. Each founder’s journey and struggles are unique, and we must approach this discussion with understanding, respect, and acknowledgment of the real needs that drive startup funding. In the end, successful startups will benefit not only the founder but also create jobs, drive innovation, and contribute to the overall ecosystem. Let’s aim to support and empower, rather than question or judge, the intentions behind their funding needs.

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Big mistake I see DTC founders make is expanding into retail too quickly. Sure, you might get on shelves, but if no one's buying, you get double crushed financially. Becca Millstein and team put on a masterclass in retail with Fishwife - here's how she did it in the Shark Tank 👇 When I met Becca Millstein, I wasn't sure about investing in "tinned fish"...BUT I was immediately struck by the branding and authenticity of Fishwife. Tinned fish was one of those sleepy categories you rarely think about and that's when I knew it was ripe for disruption. Fast forward and her vision has become a reality—and I'm proud to be a part of it through OpenSky Ventures. They've taken a product we all know (and maybe haven't thought about recently) and injected it with a funky, cool, and fresh vibe that's wildly authentic. Since launching, they've seen a consistent 200% - 300% year-over-year growth. Super impressive, but what really sets Fishwife apart is they did it profitably. That's almost unheard of in the startup world–especially for a CPG brand. Their secret? Focusing on margins from day one and running an incredibly lean operation: ➝ Very low payroll as % of net revenue (5-6%) ➝ Low marketing spend (6-11% of net revenue) ➝ Low G&A Opex (5-8%) For the first 2 years, they focused solely on organic growth and branding. Their branding was the marketing and it sold the story. Becca's distinctive vision and voice have created a brand that truly stands out, both on social and on shelves as the retail world has taken notice too. Fishwife has nearly doubled its retail presence from 1,800 to 3,400 doors in the last year alone. Their products are flying off the shelves at 2X the projected rate in partners like Whole Foods Market. As if that wasn't enough, Fishwife recently made an appearance on Shark Tank ABC which brought national exposure to this once-sleepy category. What's most impressive here is how they've balanced rapid growth with smart, sustainable marketing. They're not just selling tinned fish; they're selling a sustainable movement. Fishwife’s journey reminds me of a conversation I often have with founders about the dangers of expanding into retail too quickly. Sure, you might get your product on the shelf, but if no one's buying it, what's the point? Fishwife cracked this code brilliantly. It's companies like this that make me love what I do at OpenSky Ventures. Here's to Becca and the Fishwife team—I can't wait to see what you reel in next! 🎣

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For YC, A16Z Speedrun, or just because investors said so, founders often scramble to find cofounders, and it’s time this convention is challenged. In reality, investors have created a Catch-22 that makes startups more expensive to build, prone to infighting, and often slower. The only reasons a founder should bring on a cofounder are if they can’t raise the money to hire the right talent for the company's stage, or if they genuinely wanted to start the company with that person from the outset. But because this cofounder dogma has taken hold, founders often end up with an expensive mismatch: two mouths to feed from day one, less equity to attract talent later when the company is in a stronger position, and a cofounder whose utility might quickly diminish. The emotional labor and financial cost remain constant, or the partnership ends in a disruptive breakup. If a founder can raise money and hire for the correct stage, that’s what they should do. More investors should back solo founders to make this possible. These founders will run leaner, hire the right skills when needed, and ultimately move faster.

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🍷 Big shoutout to Archer Roose Wines, one of our SoGal Ventures portfolio companies, for their groundbreaking collab with Cornell University! They released a research with the Food Science Department on sulfite formation in canned wines and is getting serious attention in the media! 🥂 🔬 This is more than just a win for Archer Roose—it’s a huge moment for the whole canned wine industry. As Co-Founder & CEO Marian Leitner-Waldman puts it, “This study isn’t just about showing how Archer Roose ensures premium quality, it’s about pushing the entire industry forward. We’re breaking old perceptions and driving innovation.” This is how change happens—raising standards, sharing knowledge, and inspiring a whole category to evolve. 🍇🎉 Check out the research here: https://shorturl.re/7frkq #innovation #cannedwine  #foodscience #womeninbusiness #industrydisruption

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Don’t discount your product before selling your business. Launching a massive sale of annual plans is tempting. Big sale = revenue bump = inflated valuation. But buyers see through this and either:  • Add a discount based on recent months  • Don’t touch the business. If it’s something like Black Friday, that’s okay... but it's best to avoid discounts altogether when prepping for a sale. #acquisitions #SaaS #founders

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Savoring the Future: NYC Housing Works Dispensary Unveils Cannabis-Infused Restaurant Experience In the ever-evolving landscape of cannabis culture, New York City takes another groundbreaking step forward. The Housing Works Dispensary is set to launch a pioneering restaurant, offering a unique and immersive experience for both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers. This innovative venture aims to blend the rich tapestry of NYC culture with the world of cannabis, all within a well-regulated, fun, and community-oriented setting. A New Culinary Frontier At the heart of this initiative is the idea of cannabis-infused cuisine that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also provides a controlled, safe way to explore the effects of THC. The restaurant will feature a menu with items like one-milligram and two-milligram THC tacos, designed to offer a mild, enjoyable introduction to cannabis. These small doses ensure that diners can savor their meals without overwhelming effects, making it perfect for both recreational users and those who are simply curious about cannabis. Community and Culture Housing Works Dispensary’s restaurant aims to be more than just a place to eat; it aspires to be a community hub where New Yorkers can connect, share experiences, and learn about cannabis in a positive and educational environment. By hosting events, workshops, and culinary classes, the restaurant will serve as a cultural epicenter that celebrates NYC's dynamic spirit and progressive attitude towards cannabis. Economic and Social Impact The economic implications of this venture are also noteworthy. By bringing cannabis into the culinary scene, New York State stands to benefit from increased tax revenues, which can be reinvested into the community. This model also provides a template for other states looking to capitalize on the economic potential of legalized cannabis while ensuring public safety and enjoyment. The Future of Cannabis Dining As New York City continues to push the boundaries of culinary innovation and cultural integration, the Housing Works Dispensary’s restaurant represents a bold step into the future. This venture not only highlights the city’s progressive stance on cannabis but also showcases its commitment to creating inclusive, safe, and enjoyable experiences for all. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this unique dining experience promises to be a memorable journey into the world of cannabis cuisine. In conclusion, the opening of this cannabis-infused restaurant by Housing Works Dispensary is a testament to New York City's ability to blend tradition with innovation. It offers a glimpse into a future where cannabis is not just accepted but celebrated, providing a safe, regulated, and enjoyable environment for all. So, come and explore the delicious possibilities of THC tacos and more, and be a part of this exciting new chapter in NYC’s culinary and cultural narrative.

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When we asked CPG founders who they wanted at Founderland... Their answer was clear: People who can help them grow their business & achieve their goals. Specifically: - The top retailers - The most founder-friendly investors, and - Other founders they can learn from and share with This conversation that I'm hosting at Founderland is a perfect representation of this group, plus one BIG bonus. We're also including Joel Toledano and ChargeUp.ai which is one of my favorite tech companies that is supporting consumer brands today. They automate the retail deduction and chargeback process for brands, saving them an insane amount of time and money. Such a cool co. Excited to teach, share and connect...and get some deals done, while of course having lots of fun. Joel Toledano Jen Zeszut Kim Coffin Deb Conklin

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But Analisa, how do I find the right investors? This is a question I've coached hundreds of Founders on. Closing investors that align with your vision and values is key for building the company of your dreams so that you create the impact you were born to lead. In the Aligned Fundraising keynote, I break down the 3-part formula I've taught hundreds of CEOs to raise millions from investors. This is bullseye content if you are... 🎯 hosting a conference geared at startups 🎯 planning an event for your portfolio companies 🎯 designing the program for your next accelerator cohort 🎯 looking for an expert speaker Send a DM or comment below for more information and to set up a call

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NYC bars and restaurants are struggling and one of the reasons is legal cannab*s, according to this new report. Bars and restaurants should be able to sell weed, especially at events. These small business owners are relying on the OCM to expedite the events license so they can stop being harmed by legal cannab*s and start being apart of the market. https://lnkd.in/eSbFmtA6

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